B1/B2 Visa

Would you like to visit the Grand Canyon in Arizona? Do you plan to travel to the U.S. on business? | B1/B2 Visa

 

If you have answered "yes" to any of the above questions, a B visa may be the perfect option for you!

Traveling to the United States is a lifelong dream for millions of people around the world. Whether you want to spend time with relatives who live in the U.S., do some sightseeing, or take care of business or medical affairs in the U.S., obtaining a B visa is often one of the key steps to making your dream come true!

The B visa category is one of the most popular visa categories. You can apply for a B visa if you wish to visit the United States either for business or pleasure. The B visa can be playfully referred to as the "Mission Possible"—instead of the "Mission Impossible"—visa category. In other words, if you provide the United States Consulate with a satisfactory statement and the required documentation in relation to your intended visit, you may qualify for a visitor's visa to the United States. Under the B visa, stays in the United States are usually brief, and they involve activities such as touring, visiting family, receiving health care, or conducting business for an overseas employer. Please note: There is no guarantee that an applicant for a B-1 or B-2 visa will qualify.

There are two types of non-immigrant B visas available for individuals who wish to visit the United States:

For temporary business trips to the United States, individuals can apply for a B-1 visa. These may include people attending conferences, establishing business relationships in the United States, obtaining medical treatment, or accompanying a relative who needs medical treatment. A B-1 visitor will usually be permitted to stay for a maximum of three months. The B-1 holder may also successfully apply for adjustment of status to an immigrant visa in certain situations. Note: It is illegal for anyone entering the United States on a B visa to engage in employment or receive wages from a United States employer.

A B-1 holder may change status to another immigrant status, such as a J-1, F-1, or B-2. However, it is prudent to be cautious when changing from B-1 to another non-immigrant status. USCIS frowns upon using the B category as a stepping- stone to a different non-immigrant status for purposes of avoiding application procedures associated with the new status.

The B-2 visa is for individuals desirous of visiting the United States temporarily for pleasure, such as a visit to famous places in America or visiting their family or friends. B-2 visitors are generally granted stays for six months, even if they intend to stay for shorter periods of time. Sometimes, under some circumstances, the officer at the port of entry may grant an applicant less time to stay in the United States.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR A B VISA?

If you are considering a B visa, it is advisable that you apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, where you permanently reside. Since the demand for B visas is generally high, it may take a long time for the Consulate to review your documents or provide you with an interview date. In summary, it is important to apply for your B visa before your planned date of entry into the United States.

The first step in applying for the B visa is to make an appointment with the Consulate in your home country. Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate's website to learn more about scheduling an appointment for an interview with the Consulate, paying the application processing fee, reviewing embassy-specific instructions, etc.

IS AN INTERVIEW AND/OR FINGERPRINTING REQUIRED FOR A B VISA?

Yes. In most circumstances, the Consulate will interview applicants for a B visa. During the visa application process, usually at the interview phase, your fingerprints will also be scanned.

B VISA INTERVIEW TIPS

It is strongly recommended that as a B visa applicant, you must be very well-dressed, have the proper documents, and conduct yourself in a highly professional manner at your visa interview. The most common errors that usually lead to the denial of a B visa are improper attire and/or etiquette, failure to listen and answer questions correctly, submitting fraudulent documents before the Consulate, and being impolite during the interview process.

Significantly, the burden of proof to establish that he or she will definitely return to his or her home country before the expiration of his or her stay in the U.S. lies on the applicant. Very often, people are denied a visa because they are unable to establish that they will return to their home country. The burden of proof is entirely upon the applicant to show that he or she will come back to his or her home country after visiting the U.S.

 

WHAT DO I NEED TO PROVE TO OBTAIN A VISA UNDER THE B VISA CATEGORY?

As a B visa applicant, you will have to show the following:

1. Your visit will be temporary and for a specified duration;
2. You intend to depart from the U.S. before the expiration of your authorized stay;
3. You have a valid passport in your possession;
4. You will maintain a foreign residence that you do not intend to abandon;
5. Proof that you own property;
6. Prior tax returns;
7. Proof of employment;
8. Letters from children's schools.
9. You have adequate finances to support yourself during your stay in the U.S.;
10. You are admissible to the U.S. or have obtained a waiver of any ground of inadmissibility.

CAN I BRING MY FAMILY WITH ME ON MY B VISA?

There is no derivative status for family members of current B non-immigrant visa holders, which means that each family member must independently qualify for a B visa. For example, a spouse of a B-1 business visitor may be eligible for B-2 status if he or she is accompanying or looking to join the B-1 spouse.

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

Ordinarily, a foreign national has to obtain a nonimmigrant visa, such as the B visa, before entering the United States. However, by participating in the Visa Waiver Program, citizens of the designated countries may apply for admission to the United States without first obtaining a nonimmigrant visa. Foreign nationals may apply for ninety days or less for business or pleasure, provided they are otherwise eligible under applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.

If you intend to enter the United States for business or pleasure, the B visa can assist you in accomplishing your mission. Due to the great demand for B visas, it is strongly recommended that you allow ample time for your application to be processed. Please note that there is no guarantee that a person will qualify for a B-1 or B-2 visa. Adequate preparation from a qualified immigration attorney can help you to properly prepare for a visa under this category.