B1 - Business Visitor - Connect Immigration Globally

Visitor Visas for Business or Tourism and Engaged Partners

The U.S. offers visitor visas for business, tourism, medical visits, and fiancé travel. Each visa type grants temporary entry with specific eligibility and intent requirements.

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A visitor visa allows non-U.S. citizens to travel to the United States temporarily for business (B-1), tourism (B-2), or a mix of both (B-1/B-2).

Why Go to the U.S.?

From visiting with relatives and friends to trade fairs or even to get married to your fiancé, you have legal alternatives. This year’s visitor count has rebounded since the pandemic, and the United States has alternatives to allow short-term visits. Six-month visits in the majority of instances are permitted with the B-1 and the B-2 visa, and the K-1 allows engaged couples to get married in the United States.

What is the K-1 Visa?

The K-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for an American citizen’s foreign fiancé(e). It entitles them to arrive in the U.S. to marry in 90 days from the date of arrival. After marriage, the new spouse may apply for a Green Card by adjustment of status to USCIS.

Required Specifications

Petitioner should be a U.S. citizen (Green Card holders in the majority of situations cannot sponsor K-1 visas).
Both parties should also legally qualify to get married (i.e. no previous pending marriage).
They ought to have had at least an in-person interview in the previous two years, except on a waiver (e.g. cultural/hardship basis).
They must intend to marry within 90 days of the arrival in the U.S. of the fiancé(e) under the K-1 visa.

The K-1 Application Process

File Form I-129F: USCIS receives the petition from the U.S. citizen sponsor.
Approval & Forwarding: After approval, USCIS transfers the petition to the National Visa Center (NVC), which receives and assigns to the petition a case number and then transfers it to the U.S. embassy or consulate in the country of the fiancé(e). Visa Application & Interview: DS-160, supporting papers, and an interview are submitted by the foreign fiancé(e) (and any potential children who enter under K-2 status).
Entry & Marriage: In case of approval of the K-1 visa, the fiancé(e) comes to the U.S. and has to get married to the petitioner within 90 days.
Indefinite Duration: After marriage, the spouse may apply for a Green Card (Form I-485). Married under 2 years at approval, the Green Card is "conditional" and must have conditions removed later (Form I-751).
If the couple doesn't get married within 90 days, the K-1 status expires, and the fiancé(e) will have to depart the U.S. This could otherwise violate U.S. immigration law.
Under 21 years old and unmarried individuals can bring with them on a K-2 visa. They can petition for a Green Card with their spouse.

B-1 and B-2 Tourist Visas: What They Do & Who Is Qualified

B-1 (Business Visitor Visa): Reserved for business-type visits like professional conference attendance, visiting clients, contract negotiation, or consultation with business professionals - but on no account employment or long-term working.
B-2 (Leisure / Tourism / Medical Visitor's Visa): For treatment on medical grounds, a visitor to friends/family, recreation, or leisure.
B-1/B-2 Combined: A combined visa that enables both business and tour activities.

Who Is Eligible & What You Must Show

To qualify for a B-1 or B-2 visa, you will have to persuade the consular officer that:

Length of stay: Type of visitation (business, tourist, medical, or combined)
You wish to remain in the U.S. only for a short while and will depart after the trip comes to an end
You have enough money to cover your trip, lodging, and personal expenses while you remain in the U.S.
You have close connections with your home country (work, real estate, family members) that indicate you intend to go back
You are neither working nor earning funds from U.S. sources (except permitted to a limited degree by law). Also, by law, the consular officers presume that applicants for the B visa intend to migrate. Applicants need to rebut that presumption with reasonable evidence.

Validity, Term & Extensions

Actually, the real visa itself may be valid for multiple entries within multiple years (independent of your nationality); however, each US stay will still have an allowable stay of up to 180 days (six months) at entry.

In exceptional instances, you could submit Form I-539 to extend your stay (before your permitted duration ends). Extensions might even prolong your overall stay up to a year (dependent on the situation).

Note: Your registration on a B visa will in no way entitle you to employment or to perform remunerated employment in the U.S.

Document Requirements for K-1 Visa Applicants

In requesting a K-1 visa (and any related K-2 children), you will generally require:

Filled out DS-160 (Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application) per person being applied for
Valid passport (with at least 6 months' validity until the date of proposed stay)
Birth certificate
Certificates of divorce, annulment, or demise of former spouses (of both petitioner and beneficiary)
Police clearance certificates in countries where you have lived (applicants over 16 years old)
Medical inspection by a licensed professional
Proof of financial assistance (most typically through an Affidavit of Support, Form I-134)
Proof of a real relationship (e.g., photos together, proof of travels, communication history)
Two passport photos in the U.S. visa photo format
Any additional papers that the U.S. embassy or consulate might request
Once you get married and file for a Green Card, vaccines that are mandated for immigrant visa seekers could come into play, so it's a good idea to get them taken care of beforehand.

Common Reasons for Denial or Refusal (B-1 / B-2 / K-1)

Each office of issuance deals differently with cases, but these are among the common mistakes:

Weak correlation with high home country attachment
Inadequate funds or financial record confusion
Inconsistencies in documentation or conflicting data
Suspected misrepresentation or fraud
Earlier immigration offenses (overstays, removals)
Health issues, security, or criminal history concerns
Inability to articulate the purpose and length of the trip
Ineffective representation of the relationship (in K-1)
Not meeting the in-person meeting requirement (without an approved waiver)
Not getting married in 90 days (in K-1)

Future Upgrades & Policy Revisions (2025)

Interview Waiver Strengthening: Since September 2, 2025, the U.S. has tightened interview waiver regulations. Most nonimmigrant visa petitioners (children under 14 and those who are over 79 years old) now usually have to schedule in-person interview appointments. Exceptions remain in some instances of B-1/B-2 visa renewal in the event that it's completed within 12 months before expiration and under qualifying situations.
No More Third-Country Visa Stamping: Effective September 6, 2025, visa applicants must apply in their country of citizenship or legal residence. The practice of attending an embassy in a third country (for speed) has been discontinued (with limited exceptions).
Visa Bond Pilot Program: In some instances, B-1 or B-2 petitioners from prohibited countries could have to submit a refundable bond ($5,000–$15,000), which shall be refunded in case the terms of the visa are fulfilled.
Visa WAIT times in India: Indian applicants still experience lengthy delays in B-1/B-2 visas. Mid-2025 waits varied from ~3 months in Hyderabad/Mumbai to 8+ months in Chennai.

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The B-1 and B-2 Visas FAQs

How long can I stay under a B-1 or a B-2 visa?

They will usually get authorization to stay up to 180 days (six months). Extensions (on the I-539 form) might extend the duration of the stay to up to a year in exceptional circumstances.

Can you go multiple times on a B-1 / B-2 visa?

Yes- if you have a multiple-entry visa. But multiple or repeated visits could make authorities suspicious that you’re violating temporary visiting laws.

Can a B-1 or B-2 visa holder work in the U.S.?

None of these visas permits employment or rendering of any service in return for money. Working during a visitor visa stay is strictly prohibited.