B-1 Visa Issued to Business Visitors

B-1 visa is issued to those who come to go the U.S. for commercial transactions not involving gainful employment, such as negotiating contract, litigation, consulting with clients or business associates; participating in scientific, educational, professional, religious or business conventions/meetings.You may be eligible for a B-1 visa if you will be participating in business activities of a commercial or professional nature in the United States, including, but not limited to:

• Consulting with business associates
• Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates
• Settling an estate
• Negotiating a contract
• Participating in short-term training
• Transiting through the United States: certain persons may transit the United States with a B-1 visa
• Deadheading: certain air crewmen may enter the United States as deadhead crew with a B-1 visa

Eligibility Criteria

You must demonstrate the following in order to be eligible to obtain a B-1 visa:

• The purpose of your trip is to enter the United States for business of a legitimate nature
• You plan to remain for a specific limited period of time
• You have the funds to cover the expenses of the trip and your stay in the United States
• You have a residence outside the United States in which you have no intention of abandoning, as well as other binding ties which will ensure your return abroad at the end of the visit
• You are otherwise admissible to the United States

Period of Stay/Extension of Stay

Initial Period of Stay: 1 to 6 months; 6 months is the maximum

Extension of Stay: Up to 6 months; maximum total amount of time permitted in B-1 status on any one trip is generally 1 year.