USA Visitor Visas
Short term visitors to the USA will require a B1 visa or B2 visa, depending on the purpose of their visit. Those entering the USA to visit family and friends or for the purposes of tourism will require a B-2 visitor for pleasure visa, often referred to as a visit visa or tourist visa. For business travellers visiting the United States will require a B-1 visitor for business visa which permits a range of business activities but does not allow a candidate to work in the USA. In both cases, B1 and B2 visas are non-immigrant visas intended for short term visits to the USA and neither of these short term US visa services will lead to the opportunity to apply for permanent residency through a US Green Card.
Find out whether you qualify for a short stay USA visa today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area. Just answer a few straightforward questions and a specialist US immigration consultant will contact you.
US B-1 Visas – The Visitor for Business Visa
The US B-1 visa is a temporary visa for those who wish to enter the United States in order to conduct business based activities such as visiting conferences, attending meetings, sourcing business opportunities, making investments and preparing to open a US branch of a foreign company including locating premises and opening bank accounts. A B1 visa will normally be granted for a duration which corresponds to purpose of their trip; however the maximum grant is 1 year.
The US business visit visa should not be confused with the group of longer term business visas and work visas which includes the H1-B and H2-B visas, the L1 visa and the permanent EB visas, or employment based Green Cards. Although US work permits and intra company transfers are, like the business visit visa, non-immigrant permits they are intended for those who wish to live and work in America. A business visit visa holder may not engage in any employment paid or unpaid during their time in the USA.
US B-2 Visas – The Visitor for Pleasure Visa
Although most B2 visas are granted to those entering the United States as tourists, the category also applies to those travelling to the USA to visit family and friends, to engage in short term study, or to undergo medical treatment. B2 visas are granted for a period of up to six months although a six month extension may be granted if necessary, subject to the applicant providing satisfactory evidence that their intention is still to return to their country of residence.
US Visit Visas – Eligibility
As Non-immigrant visas, the key requirement of the B1 visa and B2 visas is that the candidate should be able to demonstrate their intention to return to their country of residence on or before the expiry of their visa. US immigration regulations require candidates to demonstrate that they do not intend to give up their current country of residence and will require proof of ties, whether familial, or based on property or employment to that country. Candidates will also need to provide a current valid passport supported by a range of documentation and show that they can financially support themselves whilst in the USA. A Global Visas immigration consultant will be able to discuss the specific requirements of your United States visa application with you.
Spouse and Dependent Immigration
B1 visas and B2 visas do not provide routes to settled status in the UK and as such they do not make provision for the spouse or dependents of the applicant to join them. Any dependents wishing to join the principle applicant during their time in the USA will need to apply for a B2 visa in their own right.
Additional Information – Applying for the B1 in lieu of H1-B Visa
The USA H1-B visa is in effect a US work permit which allows American employers to source skilled staff from overseas. With a maximum duration of six years it is common for applicants to begin living and working in the USA on an H1-B visa whilst applying for a US Green Card from within the USA. In some circumstances, a B1 visa may be applied for ‘in lieu’ of an H1-B visa where the position of employment involved would usually require an H1-B visa, but the candidate’s salary will still be paid from outside the USA. This situation can only occur where a candidate is entering the USA to work in a "speciality occupation".
Whether you wish to visit the USA for business or pleasure you can get your application moving today by visiting the Global Visas online assessment area.
