Do You Need a B-1 or B-2 Visa to Visit the U.S.?
Visitors to the U.S. are often unsure of what visa they will need. The two primary visitor visas are the B-1 and the B-2. They are very different, and it’s a major mistake to get the wrong visa and then undertake activities which are not allowed. Both the B-1 and B-2 are short-term (non-immigrant) visas which allow the holder to stay in the U.S. for six months.
Call The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan, PLLC, if you need to discuss which visa to request, or whether you even need a visa.
The Difference Between the B-1 and B-2 Visas
A B-1 is a business visa. The visitor can undertake certain business activities in the U.S. Critically, you cannot come to the U.S. to work on a B-1 visa and get paid by a U.S. employer. Instead, you can come to the U.S. to:
- Negotiate and sign certain contracts;
- Consult with business associates or develop business opportunities;
- Attend a convention;
- Perform independent research;
- Participate in litigation in a U.S. court;
- Engage in certain commercial transactions that do not qualify as gainful employment.
For example, you can use the B-1 visa to meet with potential business clients, develop relationships, and get to know each other. You can also make a “pitch” to a potential client in person and even sign contracts while here.
The key limitation on the B-1 visa is that you cannot work for pay. If you do, then you have committed a violation of U.S. immigration law. That can make getting another visa or adjusting your status to obtain a green card much harder in the future.
Call our office if you have questions about whether a business visa is right for you. If you are employed by a multinational corporation, then you’ll want a different visa to come work at a U.S. based office.
A B-2 visa is for tourism, which is quite broad and covers:
- Visiting friends and family;
- Attending a funeral;
- Travelling around cities as a tourist;
- Seeking medical care from a U.S. hospital or another provider;
- Attending certain social events, such as festivals and conventions;
- Participating in a contest or event;
- Taking a short-term course of study (possibly).
You also cannot work for pay on a B-2 visa. Even short-term employment is prohibited.
One question involves education. A B-2 is appropriate for certain short-term courses but not all. Instead, you might need a different education visa (such as the F, M, or J visas). Again, it is critical not to violate the B-2 visa if you hope to visit the U.S. again in the future. Any violation can result in immediate deportation, denial of future applications, and denial of adjustment of status or naturalization.
Call Our Office to Speak with an Immigration Lawyer
Citizens of some countries will not even need a visa to come to the U.S. if they qualify under the Visa Waiver Program. Find out more about what documents you will need. Our Portsmouth, New Hampshire non-immigrant visa lawyer at The Law Office of Jason M. Sullivan, PLLC has helped people visit the U.S. and follow our complicated immigration laws. Call to speak in a consultation. We also help those in Miami, Florida.
Source:
uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-visitors-for-business/b-1-temporary-business-visitor