B Visa Category

The B nonimmigrant visa category covers alien visitors for business (B-1) and pleasure (B-2). By far the vast majority of aliens who come into the United States each year do so as nonimmigrant visitors in the B visa category. Commonly, stays in the United States in this category are short, and entail such activities as touring, visiting family members, obtaining health care, or conducting business for an overseas employer. The trips are temporary and cannot involve employment in the United States or the undertaking of an academic study program.

Duration of Stay.

While most stays in the U.S. in the B visa category are short, it is possible under current B rules to obtain a period of admission of one year on initial entry to this country. Additionally, extensions of stay can be granted for no more than six months at a time.

A business visitor (B-1) will be granted only a period of entry required to conduct his or her business. Most such visits are approved for less than three months, and only in unusual circumstances would a stay of more than six months be granted. Tourists in the B-2 category are automatically given a period of entry of six months, even if the visitor intends to remain only for a shorter period. A longer period than six months can be granted, but only under unusual circumstances, while a border agent can give less than six months only "for good cause," and only when approved by a higher-level official.

Broad Requirements

The State Department has specified five broad requirements for issuance of a B visa to a foreign national:

• The alien is entering the U.S. for a limited duration.
  
  
• The alien intends to depart the U.S. at the expiration of his or her stay.  
  
  
• While in the U.S., the alien maintains a foreign residence which he or she has no intention of abandoning.
  
• The alien has adequate financial arrangements to travel to, sojourn in, and depart from the U.S.
  
• The alien will engage solely in legitimate activities relating to business or pleasure.

Before the foreign visitor can enter the U.S. in B-1 or B-2 status, he or she must obtain a visa from a U.S. consulate located outside the United States.

Documents Required for a B-1 Visa

Foreign nationals make their applications for a B-1 visa by presenting the following documentation to the U.S. consulate:

1. Form DS-156, the standard nonimmigrant visa application

2. DS-157 (if applicable)

3. Supporting letter from the employer or, if the applicant is an independent business person, from himself or herself

4. Supporting documentation establishing:

a. The alien's nonimmigrant intent

b. The legitimate business activity in which the alien will engage in the United States

5. Passport of the visa applicant

6. Photograph of the visa applicant (passport-sized)

7. Application fee (if any)

Documents Required for a B-2 Visa

Foreign nationals who need B-2 visas make their applications by presenting documentation to a U.S. consulate similar to that described for business visitors. Rather than a supporting cover letter from the applicant's employer, however, the alien should present a letter of invitation from a U.S. host, if applicable, and more substantial documentation of financial ability, such as an affidavit of support from a U.S. source.