B-1 BUSINESS VISITOR

The B-1 business visitor visa allows certain individual to come to the U.S. for a short duration of time for business purposes that include the following:

• engaging in meetings and consultations with U.S. business associates
• attending non-productive training for the benefit to the overseas company
• attending professional conferences or meetings

A B-1 visitor is not authorized to perform productive work in the U.S. and cannot receive compensation from a U.S. source, other than reimbursement for incidental expenses; the B-1 visitor will generally remain on a foreign employer's home country's payroll. A B-1 visitor must also maintain foreign residence abroad to which the B-1 visitor intends to return at the end of the authorized period of stay. The B-1 status may not be used as a means to accelerate a candidate's eligibility to enter the U.S. to work. The B-1 visa is applied for directly at the U.S. Consulate.

B-1 visa holders are generally admitted for the period of time necessary to conduct the business. Legally, B-1 visitor may be admitted up to a maximum of six months. However, in practice, B-1 visitors are typically allowed to remain in the U.S. for no more than 30-90 days. B-1 visitors may also apply for extensions through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for a maximum stay of up to six months.