Business/Tourist
If you are a citizen of a country which does not participate in the Visa Waiver Program or if you plan to stay longer than 90 days for general business or holiday purposes, you should apply for a B1 (business), B2 (tourist), or a B1/B2 visa.
Persons planning to travel to the United States for a different purpose, such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., must apply for a different type of visa in the appropriate category.
Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating, among other things, that: they have a residence outside the United States which they do not intend to abandon, as well as other binding obligations which will ensure their return abroad at the conclusion of the visit.
Additional documentation
Applicants must demonstrate that they are properly classifiable as visitors under U.S. law. Evidence which shows the purpose of the trip, intent to depart the United States, and arrangements made to cover the costs of the trip may be provided. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take since each applicant's circumstances vary greatly.
Examples of documentation for business trips to the United States may include:
-
a letter from the business firm indicating the purpose of the trip, the bearer's intended length of stay, the latest salary statement(s), the firm's intent to pay for the travel costs and to keep him/her on the payroll, etc.
-
proof of business ownership
-
if you attend a conference, an invitation letter from the conference organizer
Examples of documentation for persons traveling to the United States for pleasure, may include:
-
proof of ties to the home country: marriage certificate, registration papers, salary statements, work contract, property documents, student card, school attestation, bank statements, etc.
-
letters from relatives or friends in the United States whom the applicant plans to visit
-
confirmation of participation in a planned tour
-
in case of medical treatment, statements from a doctor.
IMPORTANT PAMPHLET
- If you are coming to the United States to work or study, we are confident that you will have a pleasant and rewarding stay. If you should encounter any problems, however, know that you have rights and can get help. The U.S. Department of State website contains an informative pamphlet that informs you of your rights as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories (specifically A-3, G-5, NATO-7, B-1 domestic employees, H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and J-1 visa holders). A Pdf format version of the pamphlet is available here. (PDF - 253 kB)
Adobe Reader
-
Download Free
All downloadable documents on this page are provided in PDF format. To view PDFs you must have a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader. You may download a free version by clicking the link above.