The ever-increasing potential for opportunities attracts a lot of businessmen around the globe to the USA. However, due to the strict immigration laws, most nationalities require a Business Visa for USA, also known as the US B1 Visa to perform business in the country. For more information on this, keep reading this B1 business visa application guide.
To enter and perform business-related activities in the United States of America, you will need a special permit known as the B1 Visa. This allows for activities such as business meetings, conferences, client meetings, inquiries and so on. However, for citizens from one of the countries that have a VWP (Visa Waiver Program), they do not need a visa to enter the country. They will be permitted to stay in America for a duration of maximum 90 days. However, since India does not come under this, it is mandatory to get a US Business visa for Indian Citizens travelling to the US. The permit is issued in the form of a stamp in the passport, and the US Business Visa validity ranges from 6 months to 10 years depending on the decision of the consular officer. However, the time for which you can stay in the country in one entry depends on the US Business Visa duration permitted as per the Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officials at your port of entry into the country.
The application for the US Business Visa from India is a tedious process and requires careful planning. Therefore before reading the process on how to get business visa for USA from India, it is necessary to ensure that you are eligible for the permit and that it is the ideal type of visa for your visit. You can then proceed to the following steps -
Your B1 visa validity will vary on your interview at the embassy. You will have to convince them that you are planning to stay in the country only for a specific temporary period and that you have the funds required for this.
Note:- The visa interview is not required for people who have had their Business Visa for USA expire in the last 12 months and are visiting the country with the same type of visa. However, in special cases, you may be required to attend to biometrics and give an interview.
The American business visa application form has to be filled correctly. The documents that are submitted have to be valid and legitimate. Any errors in the application can cause a delay in your visa processing. Alternately, fake or invalid documents can get your application rejected. A visa denial is an important issue and can deem you ineligible for other visas.
To be able to apply for a permit, you will have to meet the B1 visa requirements as mentioned below -
The documents required for US business visa are as follows -
The Business Visa for USA is normally processed within 7-10 working days. However, these are almost certain to vary based on any additional procedures required, the validity of the permit, volume of applications at the specific embassy or consulate, and so on. Apart from this, you will have to take into account the high wait time for scheduling an interview. It is therefore advised to apply as early as possible, but not more than 3 months.
The total cost depends on several aspects such as biometric fees, service charges, etc. The fees also can be changed by the embassy or consulate without any prior notice, and therefore is the applicant’s responsibility to check the fees before applying.
Entry | Stay Duration | Validity | Fees |
---|---|---|---|
Multiple entry Normal | 6 months | 10 years | 13440.0 |
Multiple entry Normal | 6 months | 10 years | 13440.0 |
Multiple entry Normal | 6 months | 10 years | 13440.0 |
Multiple entry Urgent | 6 months | 10 years | 13440.0 |
Multiple entry Urgent | 6 months | 10 years | 13440.0 |
Multiple entry Urgent | 6 months | 10 years | 13440.0 |
Once you have submitted your application, your B1 visa will arrive as per the processing time. During this, you can check your US Business Visa status. This can be done in multiple ways. One method is to visit the CEAC website and use the interview location, and DS-160 form number to view it. Or, you can email at ‘passportstatus@ustraveldocs.com’ with your passport number.
On successful approval of your permit, you will have to be aware of the following points before and during your travel in the United States.
There is no specific numerical value to the number of funds required. As per the requirements, you are expected to possess enough funds to cover your everyday expenses. This includes accommodation, food, travel, and so on. While showing the bank statements, it is necessary to show that the transactions are steady and that you have enough funds for every day of your entire stay period.
Yes, you can extend the US business permit. To do this, you must make an application to the USCIS (the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services) before your current visa expires. However, the chances of your extension being granted depend upon several factors such as the purpose of stay, immigration status, finances, and so on. You will also have to submit the documents that you have submitted for the original visa. If your application is rejected, you must leave the country before expiry.
After expiring your business permit, you cannot stay back any longer in the country. You must leave the country before the expiry. Staying back in the country after this permitted period is considered as an offence and can get you deported and in cases where there is a long period of stay after the expiry, you may even be banned from applying for a visa again. However, you may stay back in the country in the case where you have applied for an extension and it has been delayed due to unforeseen circumstances beyond your control.
Being a short term permit, and having a maximum stay duration of fewer than 6 months, there are no mandatory medical test requirements necessary. However, it is suggested that you get a medical checkup done before travelling to the US for your own personal safety.
You may be permitted to convert one category of the US permit to another. However, you do not need an additional tourist permit. On a business permit, you are allowed to tour the country. The business B1 visa is issued as a B1/B2 visa, thereby making it a single permit for both tourist and business.