The US isn’t just a tourist destination that caters to people from all over the globe. It is also somewhere they come looking for employment opportunities. Other than that, it is also a great place for business. Therefore, if your goal isn’t permanent residency, but business purposes, you should be asking, What Is B 1 Visa?
With this non-immigrant type of US visa, you can legally visit the country to:
- Negotiate a contract
- Settle an estate
- Consult with your American business associates
- Attend an event, whether educational or professional
Since this visa is functional for 1-6 months, you will have enough time to go sightseeing – if you so wanted. Additionally, you can apply for another visa once the current one becomes invalid. That’s because there is no limit to the frequency of applications from one applicant. Another good thing is that the US government doesn’t place a cap on how many B-1s they issue annually.
But the B-1 isn’t the same as an H-1B visa or the B-2 visa. For more information on what purposes each type of visa serves, get in touch with Eric Price’s team.
B-2 Visa vs. B-1 Visa
The main difference between these two lies in their unique purpose. With a B1 visa, you come into the country for professional reasons. The B2 visa, on the other hand, is reserved for other reasons for visiting. Those can include visiting family, tourism, and pleasure.
B-1 Eligibility Requirements
The B 1 Tourist Visa Requirements mandate that you only use it to engage in specific activities. We list down both things you can do and the actions that you’ll be ineligible to perform below.
B-1 Eligible Activities
First, here are the actions that you can undertake while on a B-1 visa:
- Selling
- Research
- Voluntary Work
- Participate in conferences
- Arrive as a Service Engineer
- Enter for a business venture
- Participate as a Speaker/Lecturer
- Take a medical elective clerkship at the medical school’s hospital in the US. Of course, this won’t be paid work.
- Accompany your employer as a domestic employee, such as a cook, nanny, butler, housemaid, chauffeur, paid companion or a gardener
B-1 Ineligible Activities
Business visitors on a B-1 visa cannot engage in the following activities:
- Any kind of gainful employment
- Run a business
- Participate in entertainment/sporting events
- Do work and receive payment from any organization within the country
Even so, there are some gray areas that you can benefit from. Before attempting that, we’d advise speaking to a legal expert – for obvious reasons. Besides the B-1, certain cases of H-1B do allow paid employment.
B-1 Visa Duration & Length of Stay
You can remain within for 1-6 months after you obtain a B-1 visa. If you’re aware that you’ll need more time when you’re at the port of entry, talk to the immigration official there. They can even up the duration to 1 year!
In a case where you didn’t know you’d need an extension until later, it is possible to get one. To avoid having to depart, file Form I-539 at USCIS. You must submit certain documents along with it for Extending B 1 Visa.
B-1 Visa Application Process
B 1 Visa Application involves completing the following steps:
DS-160 Submission
Just as you’d submit this for most types of US non-immigrant visa applications, complete the DS-160 for B-1. When you’re done, you can submit the form digitally. That gets you a confirmation page as well as number. Keep those safe
Pay the B-1 Visa Fees
The next step to take when you Apply for B 1 Visa is to pay the B 1 Visa Fees. Again, keep the receipts safe since you will have to attach it to your documents later on.
Schedule a Visa Interview
This is mandatory if your age falls between the 14-79 brackets. You’ll have the interview at the US Embassy that you applied it. You can schedule it as soon as you pay the visa fees. But we’d recommend doing it sooner than later to speed things up. The Embassy will confirm your interview date and time with a letter. Bring the confirmation letter along when you go for the interview.
Get the Documents Together
Generally, these are the documents you should submit when you’re after a B 1 Business Visa:
- Your DS-160 along with the confirmation code and interview confirmation letter
- A passport that remains valid for 6 months after entry
- Social media account details
- One photo complying with the requirements of the US visa process
- Letters from the company and yourself – both will describe your trip’s purpose in detail and your job position
- Proof that you intend to return after your B-1 expires, including financial/bank statements, papers of residence in your home country, a job contract, payslips of the previous months, etc.
- Evidence of absence of criminal records
- Documents showing if you have visited the US before
The Interview
All these documents, receipts, and yourself need to be present on the day of the interview. Answer any questions put to you. Be as truthful, accurate, and specific as you can for best results.
B-1 Application Fees
Usually, how much you pay for the issuance B 1 Visa Cost depends on how well your country gets along with the US. Other than that, every applicant must pay $160 when you put in the application.
What Happens If My B-1 Visa Application Is Denied?
Besides Renewing B 1 Visa, you can also reapply in case of visa denial. However, the US government won’t refund your money. Moreover, you will have to begin from scratch. The process for reapplication isn’t any different from the one you go through the first time around.
Contact Attorney Eric Price Today!
We advise clients to really think about why their B-1 visa application was denied. The reasons can vary. For instance, sometimes, the USCIS needs more evidence from your side that shows you will come back. Other times, a small spelling mistake is the culprit. Instead of risking paying the application fee twice, we’d suggest sending us an email for a consultation!
