The B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa is a nonimmigrant visa for temporary, short-term stays in the United States. The B-1 Visa is for foreign visitors who come to the U.S. for business-related purposes. The B-2 Visa is for foreign citizens coming to the U.S. for tourism, recreation, or medical treatment.
The B-1/B-2 Visa is applied for in the U.S. embassy or consulate in the applicant’s home country. B1 Visa holders can conduct business negotiations, contract signing, and estate selling while in the US. B2 Visa holders can visit family and friends in the US, attend social events, and travel to different US cities. B1/B2 Visa holders cannot study or work in the US. Visitor Visa holders have to maintain nonimmigrant intent to be qualified for the B-1/B-2 Visa.
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What is a B-1/B-2 Visa?
The B-1/B-2 Visa (Visitor Visa) is a temporary nonimmigrant visa for foreign citizens who are entering the U.S. for short-term stays. The B-1 Visa is the Visitor Visa for business-related purposes in the US. The B-2 Visa is the Visitor Visa for pleasure and tourism-related purposes in the US. The combination of a B-1/B-2 Visa allows traveling for both business and tourism in the United States.
Foreign citizens from countries eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need a B-1/B-2 Visa for short-term visits to the US. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows certain foreign citizens to visit the U.S. for business or tourism without a US Visa for a maximum of 90 days. The VWP is eligible for citizens from 40 countries including South Korea, Australia, Italy, Chile, and the United Kingdom.
How Does a B-1/B-2 Visa Work?
The B1/B2 Visa allows foreign travelers to visit family, friends, and relatives in the US, and engage in business discussions, negotiations, meetings, and site inspections. Only business and tourism-related activities are allowed for the B-1 Visa and B-2 Visa in the United States.
B1 Visa holders are allowed to do the following in the US.
- Negotiate and sign contracts.
- Attend business meetings, conventions, and exhibits.
- Conduct independent research.
- Consult with business associates.
- Sell estates.
B2 Visa holders are allowed to do the following in the US.
- Attend family or school reunions.
- Attend events hosted by family or friends (wedding, graduation, engagement).
- Visit recreational resorts.
- Tour the US.
- Participate in cultural, musical, or sports events without receiving payment.
- Get medical treatment.
- Enroll in short recreational courses that do not lead to a degree.
B-1/B-2 Visa holders are not permitted to do the following in the US.
- Study or work.
- Get paid for performances.
- Arrive as a crew member of a ship or aircraft.
- Work in foreign media and press.
- Seek permanent residence (green card) in the US.
What are the Benefits of B-1/B-2 Visa?
The B-1/B-2 Visa is advantageous to foreign citizens seeking to enter the United States for short-term visits and purposes. These are the top benefits of the B1/B2 Visa.
- Multiple entries. The validity of the B-1/B-2 Visa ranges from 1 month to 10 years depending on the country of origin. You can visit the U.S. multiple times as long as your B1/B2 Visa remains valid.
- Business opportunities. Foreign citizens are able to develop and maintain business relationships in the US with the B-1 Visa.
- Pleasure-related activities. Foreign nationals can reunite temporarily with friends and family, tour the US, and engage in recreational activities while on a B-2 Visa.
What are the Risks of B-1/B-2 Visa?
B-1/B-2 Visa holders are limited in terms of their stay and allowed activities while in the US. These are the main disadvantages of the B1/B2 Visa.
- Short-term stay. The B1/B2 Visa allows for a maximum stay of only 6 months per visit in the US.
- Activity limitations. B1/B2 Visa holders cannot engage in activities other than business or tourism. Education and employment in the U.S. are prohibited on a B1/B2 Visa.
- Nonimmigrant intent. B-1/B-2 Visa holders cannot seek permanent residence (green card) in the US. Foreign visitors have to apply for an immigrant visa to be able to get a green card. Check our guide on changing a B-1/B-2 Visa to Green Card to see which immigrant visas are suitable for you.
How Much Does a B-1/B-2 Visa Cost?
The application fee for a B-1/B-2 Visa is $160. You will need to pay for other fees such as visa issuance and documentation fees. Visa issuance fees vary per country.
How to Apply for a B-1/B-2 Visa?
The B1/B2 Visa is processed by the U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country. These are the steps in applying for a B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa.
- Submit Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Application. Print the confirmation page and take it with you to your visa interview.
- Pay the visa fees. Keep the receipts and attach these to your documents for your visa interview.
- Schedule your visa interview. Visa interviews are required for persons aged 14 to 79.
- Complete your visa documentation. We have a complete list of documents needed for the B1/B2 Visa in the following section.
- Attend your visa interview. Submission of documents, security checks, and fingerprint collection will be done prior to your interview.
How Long is the Process of B-1/B-2 Visa?
The average processing time for a B-1/B-2 Visa is 1-3 months. Processing of the B1/B2 Visa can vary so it is best to submit your application early. Check with your US embassy or consulate for Visa Appointment Wait Times for the B-1/B-2 Visa.
How Long Does it Take to be Approved for a B-1/B-2 Visa?
The approval of the B1/B2 Visitor Visa can be from a few weeks to a few months. You can check the U.S. Department of State (DOS) website for more information on visa appointment wait times for your city.
What are the Requirements for a B-1/B-2 Visa?
These are the documents needed for a B-1/B-2 Visa application.
- Valid passport.
- US Visa photo.
- DS-160 confirmation page and code.
- Receipt of visa fees.
- Interview confirmation letter.
- A letter describing the purpose of your visit such as an invitation letter from family or friends in the US or a letter from your company detailing the purpose of your trip.
- Proof of financial capacity to sustain your trip to the US.
- Evidence of ties to your home country such as your family, job, or property.
- Criminal records or letters from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions.
- Documents related to your previous visits to the US.
- Details of your social media accounts.
- Medical records and letters from doctors if you are seeking medical treatment in the US.
How Long Can I Stay on a B-1/B-2 Visa?
The maximum period of stay in the US on a Visitor B-1/B-2 Visa is 6 months. You are allowed to enter the US multiple times as long as your B1/B2 Visa remains valid. Validity of the B1/B2 Visitor Visa can range from 1 month (Papua New Guinea) to 10 years (China, India, Israel, Philippines).
What are the Interview Questions of B-1/B-2 Visa?
The interview questions for the B-1/B-2 Visa cover the purpose of your trip, the duration of your stay, and your nonimmigrant intent. Here are 5 common B-1/B-2 Visa Interview Questions And Answers.
- What is the purpose of your visit to the US? State the purpose of your visit. The reason should be related to either business or tourism. Know the allowed activities for the B1 Visa or B2 Visa.
- Have you been to the US before? Answer truthfully as immigration officers cross-check your prior visits to the US if any.
- Do you have relatives in the US? Mention the names of your relatives and their relationship with you.
- Where will you reside in the US? Provide the address of your residence in the US and make sure it matches the one you wrote on your visa application.
- What guarantee do we have that you will not overstay your visa? Here you can state your ties to your home country such as your family, business, and property, and present supporting documents.
What are the Countries that Can Apply for a B-1/B-2 Visa?
China, Mexico, India, Brazil, and Colombia are the top 5 countries that have been issued B-1/B-2 Visas for FY 2015 to FY 2017 as per the U.S. Department of State (DOS). Countries qualified under the VWP need to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to enter the U.S. visa-free. VWP countries include Singapore, New Zealand, Germany, Japan, and France.
What are the Differences Between B-1/B-2 Visa and E-2 Visa?
The B1/B2 Visa and E-2 Visa are different types of visas that can be used for business-related purposes. The E-2 Visa is a nonimmigrant investor visa for foreign citizens from treaty countries of the US. US treaty countries maintain a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. Treaty countries include South Korea, Mexico, Switzerland, Turkey, and Canada.
Here are the main differences between the B-1/B-2 Visa and the E-2 Visa.
- Purpose. The B-1/B-2 Visa allows for business-related travel limited to contract signing, meetings, conventions, and consultations. Visitor Visa holders cannot work and earn during their stay in the US. The E2 Visa allows for investment and setting up of a business in the US. E2 investors can reap the benefits of their investment and work for their E-2 business.
- Eligibility. Any foreign citizen who wishes to travel for business or tourism is eligible for the B1/B2 Visa. Only foreign citizens from treaty countries that can invest a minimum capital in a US business are qualified for the E-2 Visa.
- Validity. The B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa is valid only for a 6-month stay in the US. The E-2 Investor Visa is valid for 3 months to 5 years depending on the country of origin and can be extended indefinitely.
What are the Differences Between B-1 Visa and B-2 Visa?
The B1 Visa and B2 Visa are under the B Visitor Visa category. Both are nonimmigrant visas intended for short stays in the US. The main difference between the B-1 Visa and B-2 Visa subcategories is the intended purpose of travel.
- B-1 Visa. The B-1 Visa is for business purposes including contract negotiations, business conferences, site inspections, and estate selling.
- B-2 Visa. The B-2 Visa is for tourism, visits to family and friends, recreational activities, and medical treatment.
Can My Spouse and Children Come with Me on a B-1/B-2 Visa?
No, the B1/B2 Visa does not have dependents visas. Your spouses and children have to obtain separate B1/B2 Visas each to accompany you to the US.
Can I Obtain a B-1/B-2 Visa Despite Having a Criminal Record?
There are additional steps when applying for a B-1/B-2 Visa with a criminal record. Immigration officers decide whether you can apply for an inadmissibility waiver to obtain a B1/B2 Visa even with a criminal record. An inadmissibility waiver permits inadmissible foreign citizens to enter the U.S. temporarily. You are not qualified for the inadmissibility waiver if your crime falls under the scope of inadmissibility grounds according to U.S. legislation. Crimes involving moral turpitude (kidnap, rape, murder, manslaughter, forgery) and drug violations are denied an inadmissibility waiver. Applicants with no records of these crimes are recommended for an inadmissibility waiver.
Is B-1/B-2 Visa Required For US Citizens?
No, U.S. citizens do not need a B1/B2 Visa to travel to the United States as per the U.S. DOS. Citizens of the US may need a visa when visiting non-US countries such as China, Russia, India, and Vietnam.