01/06/09

B-1 Visa for Business

The Visa Waiver Program permits people to enter the United States for a maximum period of 90 days without a visa. People from the following countries may enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and United Kingdom.  On November 17, 2008, the following countries were added to the visa waiver program: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Republic of Korea, and the Slovak Republic.

Business people who are not from one of the Visa Waiver countries, and those who need more than 90 days in the United States, should consider applying for a B-1 visa for Business.

The B-1 visa does not permit employment in the United States. However, it does permit the following business activities:

  • Taking orders for goods manufactured abroad
  • Negotiating contracts
  • Consulting with business associates
  • Litigating
  • Participating in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars
  • Undertaking independent research
Other, less common purposes are:
  • Participating in voluntary service programs benefiting U.S. citizens (i.e., disaster relief workers)
  • Members of U.S. Corporation Board of Directors entering to attend board meetings
  • Professional Athletes
  • Investors seeking an investment in the U.S.
  • Commercial or Industrial workers entering the U.S. to train U.S. workers on the operation of equipment or machinery purchased from a foreign company
  • Employees of foreign exhibitors (i.e., expos and fairs)
  • Entertainers performing at a cultural event or in a competition
  • Still photographers, artists and musicians if they are entering to compose their work for sale outside of the United States