B-1 (B1) VISITOR VISA, B-2 (B2) TOURIST VISA, AND THE B-1/B-2 (B1/B2) VISA
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A B-1 (B1) Temporary Business Visitor visa is for those who participate in business activities of a commercial or professional nature in the United States. Those eligible for a B1 visa are those:
- Consulting with associates
- Traveling to a scientific, business, or education conference or convention
- Settling an estate
- Negotiating a contract
- Engaged in short-term training
- Transiting through the United States to do business
- Deadheading—non-revenue traveling from one area to another as part of an on-duty assignment (e.g., pilots, flight attendants)
Criteria
- One is eligible for a B-1 (B1) visa if one can demonstrate the following:
- One is entering the United States for legitimate business purposes.
- One’s stay within the United States is for a specific, limited period of time.
- One has the sufficient funds to cover the expenses of the stay.
- One will not abandon one’s residence or “binding ties” outside the United States.
- One is not formally prohibited from entering the United States.
Domestic or Personal Employee
Domestic or personal employees may attain a B1 visitor visa if the employer is:
A United States citizen with a permanent home
A United States citizen stationed in a foreign country
A foreign citizen with non-immigrant status
Period of Stay
The period of stay for business purposes is between one and six months—six months being the maximum allowable without an extension.
Extension of Stay
One may extend one’s stay for business purposes for up to another six months. However, the maximum amount of time permitted on any one trip is generally one year.
The Family of a B-1 (B1) Visa Holder
The spouse, children, or dependents are not qualified to accompany the B1 visa holder. Family or dependents are required to apply for their own B1 visas.
B-2 (B2) Tourist Visa
A B-2 visa is necessary for people who want to visit—and not live in—the United States. The B-2 visa can be used for:
Tourism
Vacation
Visits (with friends or relatives)
Medical treatment
Participation in fraternal, social, or service organizations
Involvement in amateur musicals, sports, or similar non-paid events or contests
Enrollment in recreational, not-for-credit courses of study
The B-2 visa is not required for residents of Canada and Bermuda.
Citizens or nationals from the following countries are eligible for a visa waiver through the United States Visa Waiver Program (VWP): Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, and United Kingdom.
B-1/B-2 (B1/B2) Combination Visa
A B-1/B-2 visa is a temporary visa that allows an individual to travel to the United States for business and non-business purposes (such as tourism). The B-1/B-2 visa combines the benefits of the B-1 visa with that of the B-2.
What Is Not Permitted Under B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2?
The following are not permitted under visitor and/or tourist visas:
- Study for credit
- Employment
- Paid performances
- Work as foreign press (e.g., radio, film, journalism, etc.)
- Permanent residence in the United States
The B-1, B-2, or B-1/B-2 visas grant business and/or non-business privileges to foreign nationals. For those doing business in a foreign nation, the B1-B2 visa allows for business and pleasure.
Sources: https://www.uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-visitors-for-business/b-1-temporary-business-visitor/; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html/; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html/.
