Business, Pleasure or Medical Treatment, B-1/B-2

• Description
  
  
• Qualifications
  
  
• Other Information
  
  
• Application Items

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 scientific, educational, professional or business conventions/conferences, 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
More B-1/B-2 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 in a sealed envelope. The Embassy 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 (original pay slips or most recent original J, EA, B or other tax forms)
• 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 any supporting documents to the Embassy **  as we 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.