RECENT NEWS . B Visas for Business Visitors and Tourists

Incoming

B VISAS . Recent News . Eligibility . Issues

ELIGIBILITY . B Visas for Business Visitors and Tourists

1. PURPOSE . Entering the U.S. for temporary business

2. INTENTIONS . No intention to abandon a foreign residence. B visa applicants cannot intend to stay in the U.S. permamently. Evidence of intent to return home include such documents as job contracts, information about family responsibilities, etc.

3. DURATION . Generally admitted for six months, or less if visitor's home country has limits on US citizens stay or if special event requries a shorter stay

4. EXTENSIONS . Authorized stay may be extended for six-month increments (one year for certain missionaries); Application must be made before original authorized stay expires. See Extend Status

5. EMBASSIES . Apply at US Embassy nearest visitor's home country

6. INVITATIONS . Letter of invitation helpful from the individuals in the US who will provide housing and otherwise take care of financial needs during the visit

7. VISALESS VISITORS . Visas are not required from visitors from certain countries. See Visaless Visitors

8. ADMISSIBILITY . Applicant must be 'admissible' and provide fingerprints. Embassy will conduct background criminal and immigration checks.

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OUR OFFICE. Our office has handled visitor visa issues for all types of applicants, but perhaps most often for those who have had difficulties showing nonimmigrant intent and those who apply for permanent residence after entering the United States.

B VISAS . Recent News . Eligibility . Issues

ISSUES . B Visas for Business Visitors and Tourists

Admissibility . Non-immigrant Intent . Work Authorization . Duration of Authorized Stay . Permanent Residence . Change of Status

ADMISSIBILITY . A visa applicant must be admissible in ten general, important ways to receive a nonimmigrant visa, including health, financial ability, clean criminal history, immigration history, etc. See Admissibility for more details.

NON-IMMIGRANT INTENT . It is illegal to enter the United States with a visitor visa with the intent to stay for longer than allowed. Because the U.S. government cannot divine the intent of those applying for visitor visas, it looks for indications that the applicant intends to return to his/her home country, such as a job, property, family, and other obligations that would require the applicant to return to their home country.

WORK AUTHORIZATION/SCHOOL . Visitors are not eligible to work or attend school in the United States, except for very limited activity. The Department of State has determined that the following activities are allowable: (1) engage in commercial transactions, which do not involve gainful employment in the United States; (2) negotiate contracts; (3) consult with business associates; (4) Litigate; (5) participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars; (6) undertake independent research; (7) avocational or recreational training/schooling. See Work Authorization.

DURATION OF AUTHORIZED STAY . Visitors entering the United States on a visitor visa are generally admitted for six months (with exceptions from those from certain countries). This authorized stay may be extended, usually for six month increments. Visas for missionaries may be extended for one-year periods.

PERMANENT RESIDENCE . A visitor who enter the United States on a visitor visa can apply for permanent residence in the United States, if s/he is otherwise qualified. See Permanent Residence.

CHANGE OF STATUS . Visitors can change status in the United States in general, however indication that the initial purpose of entering the United States was not just visiting but was to change status to student or otherwise creates problems of fraud that can bar any future entry to the United States.

B VISAS . Recent News . Eligibility . Issues

Each situation is different.

Seek legal counsel.