B-1/B-2 VISITOR VISAS

The B-1/B-2 Visa is for tourist or business travel to the United States.  The visa applicant must be able to demonstrate his or her intention to enter the United States for a temporary period, for approved purposes.  The applicant must also provide evidence of financial ability to cover his or her travel expenses to and stay in the United States, and sufficiently strong social, economic, and other ties in the applicant's home country to compel the applicant's return after the temporary visit to the US. 

 The B-1 visa is intended for temporary business travel.  This includes such travel negotiating contracts, attending exhibitions and conferences, short-term training, and consultations with suppliers and customers.  The B-1 visa is generally not valid for employment in the United States.  Applicants for B-1 visas may wish to bring to their interviews information regarding their anticipated business activities in the United States, including letters from the US business partners indicating the purpose of the trip, and documentation establishing the applicants personal status, such as marriage certificates, letters confirming employment, bank statements, pay slips, etc.

The B-2 visa is intended for tourist activities, such as sight-seeing, visiting friends and relatives, obtaining medical treatment, and attending conferences and meetings.  Tourists are not permitted to accept employment during their stay in the US  Applicants for B-2 visas may wish to bring to their visa interviews letters of invitation from friends or relatives in the United States, information confirming participation in a tour group or conference, and documentation demonstrating the applicant's ability, or that of friends or relatives in the United States, to support his or her travel and other expenses.  Documentation establishing the applicants personal status, such as marriage certificates, letters confirming employment, bank statements, pay slips, etc. is also useful.

VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.  Not all countries participate in the VWP.  Some restrictions apply to this visa as explained below.

What Are the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Countries?

Currently, 27 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:

What Do I Need to Enter the United States on the VWP?

To enter the US on Visa Waiver program, travelers from participating countries must:

• Be seeking entry for 90 days or less, as a temporary visitor
• Be a citizen (not merely a resident) of the Visa Waiver country
• Have a valid passport issued by the participating country.  Additionally, starting October 1, 2003, the passport presented at the US port of entry must be a machine readable passport
• If entering by air or sea, have a round-trip transportation ticket issued on a carrier that has signed an agreement with the US government to participate in the VWP, and arrive in the United States aboard such a carrier.
• Hold a completed and signed Nonimmigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Record, Form I-94W. These forms are available from participating carriers, from travel agents, and at land-border ports-of-entry. 
• Entry at a land border crossing point from Canada or Mexico is permitted under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers who apply for entry at a land border crossing point are not required to present round-trip transportation tickets or arrive at the border entry point aboard a carrier who has signed an agreement with the US to participate in the Visa Waiver Program. All other Visa Waiver Program requirements apply to such travelers.

What Can I Do in the United States If I Enter on the VWP?

You can use the Visa Waiver program for business and tourism. You can do things on the Visa Waiver program that you can do on the B-1/B-2 non-immigrant visa. If you don't know whether your planned activities are permitted on the VWP, please contact the consular section of the embassy or consulate that serves your area for information.  You cannot study or work on the VWP.

How Long Can I Stay in the United States?

You can stay in the United States for 90 days.  You cannot extend your status (i.e., stay longer than 90 days).  You cannot change to another visa status.  For example, you cannot change from a Visa Waiver Program status to student visa status.

DISCLAIMER
ILG has prepared this site as a public resource for informational purposes only, and not as advertising, solicitation or legal advice. It is intended, but not promised or guaranteed, to be correct, complete and up-to-date. Readers should not act upon this information without first seeking professional counsel. Remember that communications are not privileged until the client and lawyer have agreed upon legal representation.