U.S Tourist visas are split between 2 categories; B1 and B2. For further information please see below.
B1 visa
The Visitor for Business or B1 visa is for foreign nationals that wish to enter the United States on a in order to conduct business affairs. Applicants under a B1 visa may not work while in the US but they can enter in order to.
- Consult with a business or company.
- Engage in business activity on behalf of an employer operating outside of the United States. ie; attend a conference, negotiate a contract or make a purchase.
- Undertake independent research.
- Engage in unpaid sports activities if the applicant is a professional athlete.
- Open a branch on behalf of a company operating outside of the United States or make an investment.
- Spouse and Dependent Immigration
Spouses and children under 21 are not permitted to enter under the applicant’s B1 visa but they may apply for a B2 visa in order to enter with the applicant.
B2 Visa
With a US Tourist Visa / Visitor Visa or B2 Visa, a foreign national can visit the USA for a temporary basis. This visa is issued for tourism purposes or for visiting family and friends in the USA.
At times, a B2 Visa is also referred as visitor for pleasure visa in the USA. The US Tourist Visa is not meant for permanent residency in the USA. It is mainly used to immigrate to the USA to take up short study courses, visiting friends and family, to seek medical help or to travel.
US B2 Visas are granted to a successful applicant for a period of 1 to 10 years. During this period, a visa holder can make multiple entries to the USA. But each time the duration of stay in the USA with a US B2 Visa can not exceed 6 months. With this visa, its holder is not entitled to take up employment in the USA. B2 Visa holders can apply for an extension of their stay in the USA for another 6 months provided they demonstrate the visit is for a temporary basis.
Eligibility
An applicant for a US B2 Visa must
a) Hold a valid passport
b) Intend to return to your country of abode once the visa expires
c) Have the necessary financial capacity to support yourself while visiting America
d) Be of good character
The Visa Waiver Pilot Program
Nationals of participating countries can immigrate to the USA under the USA Visa Waiver Pilot Program without a visa for a period of 90 days. If candidates have machine readable passport and non-refundable ticket then they will be allowed to enter the USA. Restrictions for immigrants through Waiver program are similar to the ones set for Visitor Visa holders.
A travel authorization is required for all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries since January 12, 2009 to immigrate to the USA. Austria, Ireland, Japan, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Singapore, and Spain are some of the VWP countries.
Spouse immigration and Dependent Immigration
B2 Visas are not meant for permanent residency in the USA. A US B2 Visa is designed for temporary visit to the USA with a definite purpose. Dependent family members and spouse are not allowed to migrate to the USA with the main applicant of a US B2 Visa.
