B1 B2 Visitor Visas How To Apply And What To Expect
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B-1/B-2 Visitor Visas to the United States How to Apply & What to Expect June 24, 2010 Ame Coats and Murali Bashyam Bashyam Spiro LLP www.bashyamspiro.com
Transcript of B1 B2 Visitor Visas How To Apply And What To Expect
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visas to the United States
How to Apply & What to Expect
June 24, 2010
Ame Coats and Murali BashyamBashyam Spiro LLP
www.bashyamspiro.com
B-1/B-2 Visa(Same Visa Stamp)B-1: Visitor for Business
Examples: Professional Conventions, Routine Business Meetings
B-2: Visitor for PleasureExamples: Tourists, social visits to friends/family, medical treatment
Visa Not needed for Nationals of Visa Wavier Countries for trips of 90 days or less. (http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html#2)
B-1 Business Visitor
• Commercial Transactions not Involving Gainful Employment
• Temporary and Intermittent Business Activities• Traveling for the Benefit of a Foreign Entity• Manager/Exec – Cannot Enter to Actively Manage U.S.
Operations• Cannot Receive Salary or Payment from U.S. Source• Business Tasks that Cannot be Carried out by U.S. Worker
Step 1: Find the appropriate US Embassy online. www.usembassy.govFind “Visas” and then “Nonimmigrant Visas.” Step 2: Follow website instructions to fill out visa application and make
appointment.
• Complete Form DS-160 Electronically(Be truthful!)
• Upload Photograph if possible• Make an Appointment/Pay Visa Fee• Document Submission (Passport valid 6 months)• Interview
Step 3: Prepare for Visa Interview
A. Evidence that you have a foreign residence and no intention to abandon residence
Ties to your country of residence:• Immediate Family Members who will not be traveling• Employment to which you will return• Property/Economic Interests • Community Ties
Step 3: Prepare for Visa Interview Cont.
B. Evidence Regarding Purpose of Your TripB-2 Visitor for Pleasure:
• Letter of Invitation from Family/Friend• Affidavit from Visa Applicant • Be prepared to give short summary of plans
Step 3: Prepare for Visa Interview Cont.
• Evidence Regarding Purpose of Your TripB-1 Visitor for Business:
• Letter from foreign company and/or US company describing business purpose of the trip
• Brochures/Website information for conference• Documentation showing applicant’s
qualifications--Education/Experience
Step 3: Prepare for Visa Interview Cont.
C. Adequate Financial Arrangements for Your Trip
Best Evidence: • Bank Statements and other evidence of your personal assets
Evidence from Others:• B-2: I-134 Affidavit of Support from Family/Friend• B-1: Letter explaining how business expenses such as airfare, hotel,
meals, etc. will be paid.
Interview
• Usually extremely, shockingly brief• Officer may not review documents• Should be ready to give your “hard sell” • Know your most persuasive document and identify
it to Officer.
Post Interview
If approved:Passport usually mailed back to youValidity dates varyCan travel right away
Post Interview
If denied: • You can apply again• Wait 6 months if possible• Improve Documentation
