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Visa Topics
Business Visa
Main topic: Visa ::: Sub topic: Business Visa
The process of obtaining a USA business visa has been streamlined since 2005. To facilitate the issuance of business visas, The U.S. department of State has implemented the Business Visa Center or BVC. The Business Visa Center is available to assist businesses in the United States and their partners, customers and colleagues around the world.
It's important to understand some basics about steps in the visa process. U.S. Embassies and Consulates in more than 200 countries overseas continue to have the responsibility under immigration law for the acceptance and processing of visa applications, and decisions about issuance of visas for foreign citizens to travel to the U.S. The Business Visa Center does not change the steps in the visa process nor can it interfere in the visa process.
Business Travel to the United States What Type of U.S. Visa Will You Need?
If you are planning business-related travel to the United States on a temporary basis, it's important to have information about the type of nonimmigrant visa you will need for travel. For your business visa application, the purpose of your intended travel and other facts regarding your plans will determine what type of visa is required under immigration law. This web document is a resource that will help you learn about the visa process in general, so that you will better understand the different steps involved.
Business Visitor Visa (B-1) - For business-specific purposes
Athlete, professional
The professional athlete who obtains a business visa receives no salary or income from a U.S.-based company/entity, other than prize money for participation in a tournament or sporting event. The athlete can try-out for a professional team, but cannot remain in U.S. to play on a U.S. team. Athletes or team members who seek to enter the United States as members of a foreign based team in order to compete with another sports team shall be admitted provided:
(1) The foreign athlete and the foreign sports team have their principal place of business or activity in a foreign country;
(2) The income of the foreign based team and the salary of its players are principally accrued in a foreign country; and
(3) The foreign-based sports team is a member of an international sports league or the sporting activities involved have an international dimension.
Business venture, investor seeking investment
Survey potential sites for a business and/or to lease premises in US. Cannot remain in US to manage the business.
Conference, meeting, trade show or business event attendee
Will receive no salary or income from a U.S based company/entity. For scientific, educational, professional or business purposes.
Exposition or trade show employees of foreign exhibitors at international fairs (excludes government representatives)
Will receive no salary or income from a U.S based company/entity. Will plan, assemble, dismantle, maintain, or be employed in connection with exhibits at international fairs or expositions.
No salary or income from a U.S. based company/entity, other than expenses incidental to the visit. If honorarium will be received, activities can last no longer than nine days at any single institution or organization; payment must be offered by an institution or organization described in INA 212(g); honorarium is for services conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and visa applicant will not have accepted such payment or expenses from more than five institutions or organizations over the last six months.
Researcher
Independent research, no salary/income from a US based source, or benefit to US institution.
Internship
Practical training through an internship with a U.S. based employer, whether paid or unpaid by that company.
Sales/selling
Exhibition/taking orders/negotiating and signing contracts for products, which must be produced outside the U.S.
Service engineer (Commercial, Industrial)
Engineers install, service or repair commercial or industrial equipment or machinery sold by a non-US company to a U.S. buyer, when specifically required by the purchase contract. Installation cannot include construction work, except for supervision or training of US workers to perform construction.
Training
Another purpose in obtaining a business visa is for participating in a training program that is not designed primarily to provide employment. Applicant will receive no payment or income from a U.S. based company or entity, other than an expense allowance or expense reimbursement related to traveler's stay.
The steps to obtain a business visa
To obtain business visas, applicants must first make sure that their purpose of planned travel and facts about their visit fit within the description above. The next step is to schedule a visa interview appointment and apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad, generally in their country of residence. When applying for a business visa or any other type of visa, it is important to remember that you'll need to meet all requirements for the visa for which you are applying. The consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for your visa will determine eligibility for a visa, including type of visa required, based on your application, interview, individual facts presented and on U.S. immigration law.
Seeking Employment or Work in the U.S.?
If your purpose of planned business travel and facts about your visit does not fit within the description above, you'll probably need another type of visa. If you are seeking to come to the United States on a temporary basis to work, be employed, and/or be paid by a U.S.-based company as a skilled or unskilled worker, you will need a temporary worker type of visa. In these situations, the prospective employer must file with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on behalf of the foreign prospective employee, a nonimmigrant visa petition accompanied by an approved labor certification.
Temporary Worker [(H-1B) Visa or Exchange Visitor; (J) Visa.]
For the H-1B visa, the U.S. employer files the petition with USCIS along with an approved labor certification. For the J visa, after the approval by the J sponsor, the visa application is done at the U.S. embassy abroad.