Guide on Applying United States Business Visa
If you are planning business-related travel to the United States on a temporary basis, then you need to read this US visa info.
Generally, if your purpose for your planned travel to the United States is to consult with business associates; attend a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates; settle an estate; negotiate a contract or participate in short-term training, then a Business Visitor (B-1) United States visa would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel.
To qualify for Business B1 visa, you must demonstrate that the purpose of your trip is to enter the U.S. for business; you plan to remain for a specific, limited period; you have evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States; and have evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and that you have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure your return abroad at the end of the visit.
If your purpose of planned travel and facts about your visit fits within the description above, the next step to do is to schedule a visa interview appointment and apply for a USA visa application at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
When applying for a Business Visitor (B-1) visa, you'll need to submit these forms and documentations such as online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160; a passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions); and one (1) 2x2 photograph or digital photograph.
Photo Requirement. You must get a digital photograph from any good photographer or studio. Just mention that this is needed for US business visa purpose. Make sure that your digital photograph must be square with a minimum dimension of 600 pixels by 600 pixels and a maximum dimension of 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels. Image must be in 24 bits per pixel color in JPEG format (.jpg or.jpeg file extension) and with a file size of less than or equal to 240 kilobytes.
Form DS-160. You must complete a Business visa application (form DS160) online meaning over the internet. Once, you have successfully completed the application, a confirmation with a 10-digit barcode will be sent to you. You must take a printout of this page as this is needed for setting up your visa interview appointment.
Required Visa Fees. All fees must be made in US currency ($). You must remember to provide a receipt showing the visa application processing fee has been paid, when you come for your visa interview. In some countries, you will need to submit a clear photocopy of the first page (bio-page) of your current passport to the bank when making your payment. The bank will issue you multiple copies of a visa fee receipt with a 10-digit barcode number.
Schedule a visa interview. Schedule a visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. The consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for your visa will determine eligibility for a visa, including type of visa required, based on your application, interview, individual facts presented and on U.S. immigration law.
During the visa interview. On the day and time of your appointment for interview, do not be late and go to the consulate where your interview is scheduled well ahead of time. You must bring with you all mandatory and supporting documents and originals. During your actual interview, carry the following: your valid passport (and your old passports if any); your photograph; the DS160 barcode page; the receipt showing the visa application processing fee has been paid; other supporting documents, if any.
Visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on the US Department of State website at Visa Wait Times, and on most US embassy websites.
Meanwhile, if you are one of the nationals of 36 participating countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, you can apply for travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization or ESTA application online.
Under ESTA forms, VWP travelers can travel to the U.S. without a visa if they meet the visa waiver program requirements.
Generally, if your purpose for your planned travel to the United States is to consult with business associates; attend a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates; settle an estate; negotiate a contract or participate in short-term training, then a Business Visitor (B-1) United States visa would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel.
To qualify for Business B1 visa, you must demonstrate that the purpose of your trip is to enter the U.S. for business; you plan to remain for a specific, limited period; you have evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States; and have evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and that you have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure your return abroad at the end of the visit.
If your purpose of planned travel and facts about your visit fits within the description above, the next step to do is to schedule a visa interview appointment and apply for a USA visa application at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence.
When applying for a Business Visitor (B-1) visa, you'll need to submit these forms and documentations such as online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, Form DS-160; a passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions); and one (1) 2x2 photograph or digital photograph.
Photo Requirement. You must get a digital photograph from any good photographer or studio. Just mention that this is needed for US business visa purpose. Make sure that your digital photograph must be square with a minimum dimension of 600 pixels by 600 pixels and a maximum dimension of 1200 pixels by 1200 pixels. Image must be in 24 bits per pixel color in JPEG format (.jpg or.jpeg file extension) and with a file size of less than or equal to 240 kilobytes.
Form DS-160. You must complete a Business visa application (form DS160) online meaning over the internet. Once, you have successfully completed the application, a confirmation with a 10-digit barcode will be sent to you. You must take a printout of this page as this is needed for setting up your visa interview appointment.
Required Visa Fees. All fees must be made in US currency ($). You must remember to provide a receipt showing the visa application processing fee has been paid, when you come for your visa interview. In some countries, you will need to submit a clear photocopy of the first page (bio-page) of your current passport to the bank when making your payment. The bank will issue you multiple copies of a visa fee receipt with a 10-digit barcode number.
Schedule a visa interview. Schedule a visa interview appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of residence. The consular officer at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for your visa will determine eligibility for a visa, including type of visa required, based on your application, interview, individual facts presented and on U.S. immigration law.
During the visa interview. On the day and time of your appointment for interview, do not be late and go to the consulate where your interview is scheduled well ahead of time. You must bring with you all mandatory and supporting documents and originals. During your actual interview, carry the following: your valid passport (and your old passports if any); your photograph; the DS160 barcode page; the receipt showing the visa application processing fee has been paid; other supporting documents, if any.
Visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on the US Department of State website at Visa Wait Times, and on most US embassy websites.
Meanwhile, if you are one of the nationals of 36 participating countries under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa, you can apply for travel authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization or ESTA application online.
Under ESTA forms, VWP travelers can travel to the U.S. without a visa if they meet the visa waiver program requirements.
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