B-1 Visa Overview

The B-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visitor’s visa that allows a person to travel to the United States for temporary business. “Business” means a legitimate commercial or professional activity, not including local employment or labor for hire. Examples under the B-1 visa include (1) attending an academic or scientific conference, (2) negotiating a contract, or (3) conduct research.

Requirements for a B-1 Visa

In order to visit the United States under a B-1 visa, an applicant must show: (1) the purpose of the trip is for business, (2) the trip is temporary and for a set period of time, (3) applicant maintains a foreign residence s/he does not plan on abandoning, (4) the applicant has substantial economic or social ties to a residence abroad, (5) has permission to enter a foreign country at the end of stay, and (6) has appropriate financial arrangements to support  travel costs as well as the purpose of the visit. If an applicant does not have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the U.S., s/he must provide convincing evidence that another person will support the applicant financially.

Time Restrictions for a B-1 Visa

The initial admission is 1 year with one 6 month extension available.

Compensation Guidelines under a B-1 Visa

If the applicant is coming to the United States under the direction of an employer, any profits must go to the employer abroad and all profits must accrue abroad. All payments to the B-1 visa employee as well, should generally be made abroad. Likewise, the service being performed by the employee should not be one in which a U.S. worker would have been hired to do likewise, the service being provided should not primarily be benefiting the U.S. entity as local work.

Applying for a B-1 Visa

An applicant must first go to the U.S. Embassy in their home country to apply for a visitor B-1 visa. Generally all applicants, ages 14-79, must participate in an interview with an embassy consular. Applicants are encouraged to apply for an interview with the embassy as soon as possible because waiting times vary in each embassy.

Required Documents for a B-1 Visa Application

Applicants must submit a Form DS-160 to the Department of State website. This DS-160 is an online electronic form used to gather important personal information. Likewise, a valid passport is required as well as a 2 x 2 photograph. The Consular Officer will use the information from the Form DS-160, combined with the applicant’s interview, and determine the applicant’s eligibility. Additionally, applicants must provide evidence for the purpose of the trip and evidence of the financial arrangements that will support the applicant’s visit. Examples of acceptable evidence include: (1) Return plane or train tickets, (2) conference itineraries with dates, or        (3) foreign employer work schedules. This is not an exhaustive list and other similar pieces of evidence can meet the evidence requirement needed to support a B-1 application.

Application Fee for a B-1 Visa

Applying for a B-1 nonimmigrant visitor visa costs $140, a non-refundable fee paid to the Department of State.

Immigration Lawyer Assistance with Form B-1 Visa Processing

If you need assistance in filing for a B-1 visitor’s visa, please contact immigration attorney direct line (949)228-3922 or email me at attorney@lawofficesofjackcsung.comto receive a free consultation with immigration attorney.  Office hours are Monday to Saturday from 9:00AM to 9:00PM, and email consultation are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  Immigration law office located at 2975 Wilshire Blvd. Suite 352 in Los Angeles, California.  Free immigration consultation and advice within 24 hours guaranteed.