You are coming to the US for business or tourism or both? The B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa might be the visa for you. Let’s cover all about the B-1/B-2 visa here in this guide, what it is, how to apply, what documents you need, and what the benefits of the B-1/B-2 visa are.
What Is a B-1/B-2 Visa?
B-1/B-2 visa: B-1/B-2 is a non-immigrant visa for foreigners to enter the United States for temporary, business (B-1), tourist (B-2), or both (B1/B2). The visa will usually last up to 10 years and during that period, you can visit the U.S. for 180 days. Also, remember that this visa is for temporary stays and not for a long-term stay.
What Is The Processing Time Of B-1/B-2 Visa?
The B-1/B-2 Visa Application Process Time may vary according to your location. You can wait from a few days up to more than two years, depending on where you are. See wait times by the embassy or consulate of the State Department to see how long it will take for your visa to process. You may have to wait longer if you are a visa applicant in a country outside of your home country.
How Long Do You Get In The U.S. With A B-1/B-2 Visa?
: If granted a B-1/B-2 visa, you may visit the United States for up to six months per visit. The exact duration will be decided by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents at your U.S. entry point. Some even allow you to stay longer if you require six months more. But don’t forget that B-1/B-2 is a temporary visa, it is not a long-term visa. To travel a few times, a B-1/B-2 visa is a multiple-entry visa that lets you return to the United States as many times as your visa permits.
So What Is the Difference Between a B-1 Visa and a B-2 Visa?
The B-1 and B-2 visas are not part of the same category, however, they are very different in one major respect:
B-1 Visa (Business): For short business stays, meetings, conferences, contract signings, etc. You can’t work regularly and get paid to do things here in the United States on a B-1 visa. But from March 2023, B-1 or B-2 holders can apply for jobs in the US and have interviews.
B-2 Visa (Tourism): This visa is for tourists in the United States on vacation, such as for tourist attractions, visits to friends and family, or for free-lance social events, such as sports and music competitions.
Most often B-1/B-2 visa is given in a mix of both business and tourist travel into the US.
What is the Cost of a B-1/B-2 Visa?
A B-1/B-2 visa cost $185 as of now. This fee is used to pay the government processing fee but doesn’t cover the costs of document collection or passport pictures.
B-1/B-2 Visa Requirements
You have to prove that you can: Meet the following criteria to receive a B-1/B-2 visa.
You are in the U.S. on unpaid work, tourism, or medical leave.
You are attached to your home country: you have a job, family, and property, and can show that you will come back after your trip.
You are coming to the U.S. for only a short time (not longer than 180 days).
Work on a B-1 Visa Business in the U.S.
You may visit the United States for If you’re on a B-1 visa, you can visit the U.S. for:
Business meetings or consultations.
Attending conferences, seminars, or conventions.
Negotiating contracts.
Professional examinations or licensing.
Tourism with a B-2 Visa: This will help you in doing your B-2 visa activities.
The B-2 visa lets you enter the United States to:
Travel, sightseeing, and visiting the US.
Visiting friends and family.
Receiving medical treatment.
Going out to have a social life, like festivals, concerts, or cookery classes.
B-1/B-2 Visa Restrictions
The B-1/B-2 visa isn’t for:
Learning in a U.S. school (unless the course is very short and not more than 18 hours per week).
A seasonal job with a U.S. employer.
Paid performances or professional work.
Immigrating to the U.S.
Getting Out of a B-1/B-2 Visa Status Change.
The B-1/B-2 visa does not qualify you for permanent residence. But, if you want to switch your status in the U.S. while here, for example, to change to a student visa or a work visa, you can do so by submitting a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). It’s not without conditions like reapplying before your status expires and having a stay justification for staying by your new visa type.
The marriage green card can be applied for through adjustment of status (AOS) or consular processing if you marry a U.S. citizen or permanent resident while you’re here.
What You Need To Bring to Get a B-1/B-2 Visa Application Notes?
You’ll need these to apply for B-1/B-2 visa:
A passport that is good for 6 months after you intend to come back.
An image was taken recently that is acceptable to the government.
Evidence that you have connections with your native land (job, property, family).
Documentation of how much money you have to invest to support your trip, travel, hotel, etc.
B-1/B-2 Visa Application Process
Getting a B-1/B-2 visa has many stages:
Fill in the DS-160 Form: It is an online application form, and you will need to fill in your personal information and travel details. Print the confirmation page for the interview once you finish the form.
Invoice the Visa Fee: You will have to invoice the visa fee (non-refundable) before scheduling an interview.
Visit Visa Interview: Request and show up for an interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. Prepare for fingerprinting and to submit any additional documents if the consular officer asks.
Can You Travel to the U.S. More Than Once with a B-1/B-2 Visa?
B-1/B-2 is a multi-entry visa, which means you can enter the U.S. more than once if your visa has not expired. There is no stated number of visits to the U.S. you can make but it’s important to make sure that each time matches what the visa is for. When you travel to the United States too often, immigration authorities may suspect you’re in the wrong.
B-1/B-2 Visa FAQs
Is it possible to stay longer on a B-1/B-2 visa? No, if you need to extend for up to 1 year, you can.
Will I be able to work on B-1 and B-2 visas? You can’t work on a B-1/B-2 visa, no. But you can go to job fairs or bargain contract terms.
Difference between a B-1/B-2 visa and ESTA? The Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) lets citizens of certain countries visit the U.S. on a tourism or business visa for up to 90 days. But, for staying for longer you could get the B-1/B-2 visa.
Are Canadians in need of a B-1/B-2 visa? The majority of Canadians don’t require a visa for a business or tourist visit for the short term. But they’ll need a visa for specific reasons such as studying or working in the US.
A b-1/B-2 visa is helpful if you have to visit the US temporarily on business or for tourism. The Visa requirements & the visa application process mean that you can make more than one trip to the U.S. for business purposes, vacations, and visits with the family. Be prepared for all documents and know the reason for your visit so that you don’t get stuck in the middle of the application process. You can seek further assistance for your visa application from an immigration specialist who can help you through it.
