Visitor Visas
The Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for noncitizens who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism, medical treatment (B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Eligibility Criteria
Citizens and nationals from certain countries may be eligible to visit the United States for business or tourism for 90 days or less, without the need to obtain a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). However, before traveling, these travelers must possess a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval and meet all requirements. In addition, citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need visas to enter the United States for visits, tourism, and temporary business purposes.
To qualify for a visitor visa, applicants must have sufficient funds to cover their trip expenses and stay in the United States. They must also have a residence outside the United States that they have no intention of abandoning, as well as other binding ties that will ensure their return abroad at the end of the visit and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Application Process
Visitor visa applicants must submit Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and schedule an appointment for their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The spouse or children under 21 years of age of a B visa holder are not entitled to derivative nonimmigrant classification. Each of the dependents who will be accompanying or following to join a B visa holder must independently qualify for a B visa.
Period of Stay/Extension of Stay
While B-1 or B-2 visas may be valid for up to 10 years, the duration of stay in the United States is determined by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials upon arrival. If they authorize admission to the United States at the designated port of entry, the B-1 or B-2 visa holders may be admitted for an initial period of up to six months.
The B-1 or B-2 visa holders who wish to stay longer than the period initially admitted without departing from the United States may be eligible for an extension of stay in the United States by filing Form I-539. The USCIS may grant B visa holders an extension of up to six months. Visitors admitted under the VWP may not apply to extend or change their nonimmigrant status.
Changing to a Nonimmigrant B-1 or B-2 Visitor Status
The noncitizens who were lawfully admitted into the United States with a nonimmigrant visa and are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status may be eligible to change to B-1 or B-2 status by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS).
Applying for a U.S. visitor visa may seem straightforward in the first place. However, it is prudent for applicants to approach the process with thorough preparation and an understanding of potential challenges they may encounter, particularly when it intersects with other immigrant and nonimmigrant pathways.
To learn how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you through the visitor visa application process, extension, or change of status, book your consultation now.
Visitor Visas
The Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for noncitizens who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism, medical treatment (B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Eligibility Criteria
Citizens and nationals from certain countries may be eligible to visit the United States for business or tourism for 90 days or less, without the need to obtain a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). However, before traveling, these travelers must possess a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval and meet all requirements. In addition, citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need visas to enter the United States for visits, tourism, and temporary business purposes.
To qualify for a visitor visa, applicants must have sufficient funds to cover their trip expenses and stay in the United States. They must also have a residence outside the United States that they have no intention of abandoning, as well as other binding ties that will ensure their return abroad at the end of the visit and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Application Process
Visitor visa applicants must submit Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and schedule an appointment for their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The spouse or children under 21 years of age of a B visa holder are not entitled to derivative nonimmigrant classification. Each of the dependents who will be accompanying or following to join a B visa holder must independently qualify for a B visa.
Period of Stay/Extension of Stay
While B-1 or B-2 visas may be valid for up to 10 years, the duration of stay in the United States is determined by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials upon arrival. If they authorize admission to the United States at the designated port of entry, the B-1 or B-2 visa holders may be admitted for an initial period of up to six months.
The B-1 or B-2 visa holders who wish to stay longer than the period initially admitted without departing from the United States may be eligible for an extension of stay in the United States by filing Form I-539. The USCIS may grant B visa holders an extension of up to six months. Visitors admitted under the VWP may not apply to extend or change their nonimmigrant status.
Changing to a Nonimmigrant B-1 or B-2 Visitor Status
The noncitizens who were lawfully admitted into the United States with a nonimmigrant visa and are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status may be eligible to change to B-1 or B-2 status by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS).
Applying for a U.S. visitor visa may seem straightforward in the first place. However, it is prudent for applicants to approach the process with thorough preparation and an understanding of potential challenges they may encounter, particularly when it intersects with other immigrant and nonimmigrant pathways.
To learn how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you through the visitor visa application process, extension, or change of status, book your consultation now.
Visitor Visas
The Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for noncitizens who wish to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism, medical treatment (B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Eligibility Criteria
Citizens and nationals from certain countries may be eligible to visit the United States for business or tourism for 90 days or less, without the need to obtain a visa, under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). However, before traveling, these travelers must possess a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval and meet all requirements. In addition, citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need visas to enter the United States for visits, tourism, and temporary business purposes.
To qualify for a visitor visa, applicants must have sufficient funds to cover their trip expenses and stay in the United States. They must also have a residence outside the United States that they have no intention of abandoning, as well as other binding ties that will ensure their return abroad at the end of the visit and meet all other eligibility criteria.
Application Process
Visitor visa applicants must submit Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, and schedule an appointment for their visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The spouse or children under 21 years of age of a B visa holder are not entitled to derivative nonimmigrant classification. Each of the dependents who will be accompanying or following to join a B visa holder must independently qualify for a B visa.
Period of Stay/Extension of Stay
While B-1 or B-2 visas may be valid for up to 10 years, the duration of stay in the United States is determined by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials upon arrival. If they authorize admission to the United States at the designated port of entry, the B-1 or B-2 visa holders may be admitted for an initial period of up to six months.
The B-1 or B-2 visa holders who wish to stay longer than the period initially admitted without departing from the United States may be eligible for an extension of stay in the United States by filing Form I-539. The USCIS may grant B visa holders an extension of up to six months. Visitors admitted under the VWP may not apply to extend or change their nonimmigrant status.
Changing to a Nonimmigrant B-1 or B-2 Visitor Status
The noncitizens who were lawfully admitted into the United States with a nonimmigrant visa and are in the United States in valid nonimmigrant status may be eligible to change to B-1 or B-2 status by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status with U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services (USCIS).
Applying for a U.S. visitor visa may seem straightforward in the first place. However, it is prudent for applicants to approach the process with thorough preparation and an understanding of potential challenges they may encounter, particularly when it intersects with other immigrant and nonimmigrant pathways.
To learn how ImmiThrive Law Firm can help you through the visitor visa application process, extension, or change of status, book your consultation now.
The B-1 nonimmigrant is for foreign nationals from countries for which the United States requires a visa to enter the United States temporarily to engage in business activities of a commercial or professional nature. These activities may include but are not limited to attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions or conferences, participating in short-term training, or negotiating contracts.
B-1
01
02
The B-2 nonimmigrant visa is for foreign nationals from countries for which the United States requires a visa to enter the United States temporarily for purposes including, but not limited to, tourism; visit with friends or relatives; medical treatment, participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating; or enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree.
B-2
The B-1 nonimmigrant is for foreign nationals from countries for which the United States requires a visa to enter the United States temporarily to engage in business activities of a commercial or professional nature. These activities may include but are not limited to attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions or conferences, participating in short-term training, or negotiating contracts.
B-1
01
02
The B-2 nonimmigrant visa is for foreign nationals from countries for which the United States requires a visa to enter the United States temporarily for purposes including, but not limited to, tourism; visit with friends or relatives; medical treatment, participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating; or enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree.
B-2
01
The B-1 nonimmigrant is for foreign nationals from countries for which the United States requires a visa to enter the United States temporarily to engage in business activities of a commercial or professional nature. These activities may include but are not limited to attending scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions or conferences, participating in short-term training, or negotiating contracts.
02
The B-2 nonimmigrant visa is for foreign nationals from countries for which the United States requires a visa to enter the United States temporarily for purposes including, but not limited to, tourism; visit with friends or relatives; medical treatment, participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating; or enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree.