19 May 2010

I Want to Apply for a Business Visa

This article appears in the May 2010 issue of eJournal USA, See You in the USA.

Who may apply for a business visa?

You may apply for a business visa if you are traveling to attend a professional event or conference, to investigate or survey potential business sites, or to negotiate a contract. For other examples of business travel, please see this page (PDF, 85KB).

You must apply for a visa unless your country participates in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and you plan a visit of fewer than 90 days. Travelers from VWP program nations must have a passport that can be scanned by an electronic reader. A new regulation requires that VWP travelers apply for electronic travel authorization. Find more information on this page.

How long before my trip should I apply?

Apply at least two months before you plan to travel, three months if the travel is for a scientific conference. This allows for the time it takes to obtain a visa interview and processing time for the visa; if your visa will be mailed to you, include delivery time in your travel plans. Wait times vary by embassy and time of the year — for example, many visa applicants want to travel during summer, so the wait times for an appointment may be longer then. Country-specific guidance is available at this page.

What will it cost to obtain a visa?

You must pay a nonrefundable visa-processing fee of $140 (as of June 2010). Depending on a reciprocal arrangement between your country and the United States, you might also have to pay a visa-issuing fee. Check to see whether your country has a reciprocity fee at this page.

What are the main steps in applying for a B-1 visa?

The first step is to make an appointment for a visa interview. Consult the Web site of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country for the right procedure. You must then pay the visa-processing fee and fill out the visa application form(s) required in your country: the online form DS-160 is replacing the DS-156 in most countries. Forms are available at this page. (Note: In most countries, you must fill out the application forms and pay the application fee before seeking an interview. Find visa information specific to your country at this page.)

For the interview, you must bring several documents: (1) a passport valid beyond your dates of travel; (2) the appointment confirmation sheet; (3) the confirmation page of the completed DS-160; (4) a receipt for the visa application fee; and (5) a 5X5 cm. photo, unless you already uploaded a photo with your DS-160 application.

You must also bring evidence showing why you are taking the trip, that you intend to leave the United States, and that you have sufficient funds to meet your needs during the trip. Check with the U.S. embassy in your country to see whether other documentation is necessary.

See also U.S. Department of State Business Visa Center.

Access this information on your mobile device at this page.

(This is a product of the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://www.america.gov)