A B-1 visa is a visitor visa that allows you to visit the country for business activities such as:
Research
Consulting with business associates or clients
Participating in legal negotiations
Attending seminars, conferences, or conventions
Negotiating contracts
Since a B-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa, it’s valid for only a short period of six months. However, there is the possibility for you to renew your visa to extend your stay for another six months.
Who is Eligible for the B-1 Visa?
You are eligible for the B-1 Visa if you meet the business traveler requirements. This means you must demonstrate:
Your main objective for visiting the country is to engage in legitimate business practices
Have enough funds to cater to your accommodation, travel, and business expenses
You don’t plan to settle in the US permanently
You have no imposed restrictions to enter the US.
Not all visitors visiting the country are coming for business-related reasons. However, if you are, you need to meet the business traveler requirements outlined by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What are the B-1 Visa Processing Times?
The processing times for US visitor visas vary depending on several factors:
The office or service center responsible for processing the file
The type of non-immigrant visa
Visa interview wait times (if applicable)
Whether the applicant can qualify for an expedited interview appointment
Whether Expedited processing is available
Whether Premium Processing is available
Providing insufficient or incomplete documents can lead to delays in processing and even denials
Top 10 Reasons for Refusal of the B-1 Applications
While there are many reasons why your US visitor visa application may be refused, we have listed the top ten most common here:
Current and or past immigration status and history in the US or abroad, including overstaying and unauthorized employment
Insufficient funds to support themselves during their stay
Incorrect or incomplete petition
Insufficient supporting evidence
Conflicts with travel documentation
Health concerns
Suspicion of malicious intent
Problems with a background check
Criminal history/Being convicted of a crime/Suspected or known ties to terrorism
