|
Types of Visa Classes
Business, Pleasure or Medical Treatment, B-1/B-2
Description
The B-1/B-2 visitor visa is for persons desiring to enter the United
States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical
treatment (B-2). Generally, the B-1 visa is for travel to consult
with business associates, to attend a scientific, educational, professional
or business convention/conference, to settle an estate or to negotiate
a contract. The B-2 visa is for travel that is recreational in nature,
including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives,
rest, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or
service nature. Often, the B-1 and B-2 visas are combined and issued
as one visa, the B-1/B-2.
Qualifications
B-1/B-2 applicants must demonstrate to a consular officer and/or
to DHS that they qualify for a U.S. visa according to the U.S. Immigration
and Nationality Act (INA). Section 214(b) of the INA presumes that
every B-1/B-2 applicant is an intending immigrant; thus, they must
overcome this legal presumption by demonstrating that:
- The purpose of their trip is to enter the United States solely
for business, pleasure or medical treatment;
- They have made clear their true intentions in traveling to
the United States;
- They do not intend to work while in the United States, unless
they have been granted DHS approval for a temporary work visa;
- They plan to stay for a specific, limited period;
- They have evidence of funds to cover all expenses while in
the United States;
- They have evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad;
and
- They have a residence outside the United States as well as
other binding ties that will ensure their return abroad at the
end of the visit.
Other Information
Application Items
All required documents for any non-immigrant visa plus any supporting
documents you choose. Every applicant's situation differs, so we
cannot tell you which supporting documents best demonstrate your
ties. Though supporting documents may assist you in your interview,
Consular officers rely primarily on the interview to determine your
eligibility for a visa. In other words, supporting documents are
voluntary and of secondary importance.
Caution: Use only valid documents. Fraud or misrepresentation
can result in a permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality
is of concern, the applicant should bring the documents to the Embassy
/ Consulate in a sealed envelope. The Embassy / Consulate will not
make this information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality
of the information.
List of documents most frequently presented:
- Current proof of salary and/or income;
- Letter from employer detailing your position, salary, how long
you have been employed with the company; the period of authorized
vacation; and the purpose of your U.S. trip;
- Real estate lease or deeds;
- Bank savings account books or other evidence of liquid assets
that indicate the balance in your accounts and account activity;
- Business registration and recent profit tax statement (business
owners);
- Birth certificate and, if applicable, parents' valid visas
(for children's applications);
- Students: a letter from your school or university indicating
that you are registered, have paid any applicable tuition, the
length of your program and expected graduation date;
- Where appropriate, a tour, business or conference itinerary
and/or other information about your planned trip (this can be
tentative);
- For crew: letter from company headquarters and/or seamen's
book; and
- Marriage certificate (for spouse's application).
Please do not fax, e-mail or mail supporting documents to the
Embassy / Consulate as they do not have the resources to track
them. Instead, send the documents directly to the applicant for
presentation to the consular officer during the interview.
|
