Business Executive Program (BEP)
Trade and commercial relations are the basis of bilateral relations between the U.S. and India. The United States facilitates the visa process for legitimate business travelers through the Business Executive Program (BEP).
What services does the BEP provide?
- Access to a priority visa interview appointment calendar
- Access to a dedicated BEP Helpdesk
Who may join the BEP?
Companies with physical locations in India are eligible for membership. The program is not for companies located in the United States, though many members have locations in both the U.S. and India. To qualify, members must demonstrate a need a significant number of visas per year. Many BEP companies are members of Fortune 1000, S&P 500, or Sensex 100.
The BEP is a nationwide program. If your company is already a BEP member in another consular district, you may be eligible to join in other locations by becoming a secondary member. Subsidiaries of member companies need to apply for their own membership and log in. Email BEP at your primary membership location for more information.
If your company has previously been invited to join the BEP and you have not responded to our invitation, or if you believe your company is qualified (by virtue of its size, number of business transactions with the U.S., and stability), please email the BEP team in your consular district.
Does BEP membership make it easier to get visas?
No. All applicants, even BEP members, must qualify for visas in every respect. Every applicant is interviewed as an individual and must qualify on his or her own merit—no exceptions.
How does an employee apply for a visa through BEP?
Upon enrollment, BEP members are given special access to the VFS appointment scheduling website. You must become a member to gain access to BEP appointment scheduling. Apart from access to the BEP appointment calendar, members apply using the standard nonimmigrant visa application process.
How much does BEP cost?
The program is free of charge, but to become a member you must complete the application form and agree to the terms of the membership.
What is required of a BEP company?
A company who has successfully enrolled in the BEP must adhere to strict standards to stay in the program.
- All BEP companies must provide their applicants with specific documents bearing agreed-upon security features. This helps ensure the legitimacy of all applications.
- A BEP company must ensure that all visa applications are limited to genuine employees of the company who are being sent for a temporary stay in the U.S. on company business.
- Records of all employees who receive a visa through the BEP must be kept and be provided to the consular district's BEP team upon request.
- A BEP company must provide its letterhead and signatures of designated company representatives for comparison purposes.
- Companies must allow site visits by the BEP Team. Site visits are often critical to determine a company's eligibility and are useful to understand the nature of the company's business.
BEP Contact Information
New Delhi: bepindia@state.gov
Kolkata: consularkolkata@state.gov
Chennai: chennaibep@state.gov
Mumbai: mumbaibep@state.gov
Hyderabad: hydbep@state.gov