How To Apply For A B Visa

By Tiara

A business visitor (B visa) is an individual who comes into the United States for the express purpose of meeting with or observing the employer in an organized setting such as at a trade show, conference, seminar, or exhibition.

Business visitors are allowed to stay in the country for a limited amount of time. The length of their visit depends on how long they want to observe the employer and what they hope to gain from this exposure.

After leaving the work place, most VISA holders return home unless additional arrangements have been made. It is important to note that you cannot work while on a non-immigrant visa!

If your job requires you to conduct business overseas, then preparing for your B visa can be tricky. Luckily, we have gathered some helpful information for you here! This article will cover everything you need to know about applying for a Business Visit Visa in America.

Find the embassy or consulate that is handling B visa applications

how to apply for a b visa

The next step in applying for a B-2 tourist visa is finding which country’s embassy or consulate will be processing your application. You can find this out by looking up their website, speaking with someone at the foreign affairs department of the United States Embassy in your home city, or asking other travelers who have visited before.

Some countries require you apply in person while others allow you to do so via mail or fax, but not both! So make sure to check one option over the other depending on what time frame you have to prepare the documents and how long it takes to receive them back.

Most European embassies offer either a face-to-face meeting or phone consultation as a way to get started, although some may ask for an in-person appointment later on. A few days are also given to process the paperwork after the interview, so remember to factor these into your schedule.

Make an appointment to apply for the visa

how to apply for a b visa

It is advised that you make your visit as planned so if you have plans after applying, let someone know! You should also be prepared for your application being denied – this does not mean you are rejected from visiting the United States, but instead, you will need to consider whether or not it is best to stay or go at this time.

It is very important to remember that even though you may have all of the necessary documents, you do not guarantee yourself entry into America. The US Government can deny you entry due to lack of proof or false statements made during the process.

For more information about how to prepare for your trip, check out our article: Tips For Traveling In The USA As A Student.

Prepare for your appointment

Before you even arrive at your visa interview, make sure everything is in order at home! You should be completely ready when you get there because they will likely ask about important things like family members, employment, and other commitments.

You do not need an invitation or letter of permission from work to attend the meeting, but it is helpful to have this information just in case you are asked.

Be prepared to discuss any potential changes to these items due to the visit. For example, if someone learns that you live with others and dependents, then chances are you’ll be asked if you plan to move away soon. This could affect how long you stay in the country.

Dress the part

how to apply for a b visa

If you can’t dress the part, then don’t apply! This includes not only what you wear, but also how you present yourself. You want to show that you are a serious business person who works hard and follows rules.

It is very difficult to believe that someone who lives an active lifestyle would need a visa to enter America, but it happens every day. People with non-immigrant visas include tourists, students, and workers.

A large number of these people do not have permanent residency in the United States, so they return home at the end of their stay. Others still plan to remain in the country after working here.

Whatever your situation may be, there will definitely be questions about your intention to remain in the country. Will you work? Study? Both? Or none of the above?

If you cannot answer “yes” to all three, then you should consider getting a tourist or employment visa instead of a B1/B2 visitor visa or F-visa (work).

Know the process

how to apply for a b visa

As mentioned before, most countries grant visa privileges to those who will be coming in for an extended stay. These are known as B visas and they allow you to live and work in the country for up to one year.

Most governments give people with a B visa proof of enough money to support themselves while they’re in the country, along with a letter stating that you have a place to stay and intend to leave soon. This is called a “return ticket” or a “ticket out of here” if you like a little more flair.

There are two main types of B visas: Business and Tourism. The former requires you to create or expand your business in the country, the latter only demands that you spend at least eight weeks visiting.

If you fall into either category, how successful you are depends on what kind of job you have and whether anyone else can do your job.

Handing in your documents

how to apply for a b visa

The next step in applying for a B visa is to gather all of your documentation and then have it professionally printed or typed and organized.

It’s very important that you do not put off this process, as most countries will make no allowances for missing information later. Some of the more crucial pieces of paper can include proof of income (such as pay stubs), proof of residence (like house deeds and bills) and medical records.

Remember, if your application is rejected, the reasons tend to be related to proving your ability to support yourself and/or remain in the country.

Waiting for your approval

how to apply for a b visa

After you have completed all of the above steps, it is time to wait! This can be tough because there’s no telling how long it will take for your visa to be approved. It could take days or weeks, even months before you receive word that you are successful.

That’s why it is so important to stay in contact with your sponsor and ensure they know where you are every minute while you are waiting for your VISA to be processed.

They may also need to confirm proof of sufficient funds and/or employment before they issue the appropriate amount of visa credit which can add extra time to the process as well.

Once again, your sponsor’s knowledge and availability of means must be verified prior to giving them permission to spend money on your behalf.

Receive your visa

how to apply for a b visa

After you have gathered all of your documents, made sure they are in order, and filled out all appropriate forms, it is time to pick where you will apply for your B-2 visitor visa.

There are two main places that most people choose to visit for their B visa applications: at an American Embassy or Consulate abroad, or via VISA FEE SOLUTION – a trusted online application service provider (ASP) that offers cost-effective, quick B visa services.

The way to decide which one is best for you depends on several things, such as how close you live to the embassy or consulate, what days of the week there’s more availability, and whether you want to be able to do the process yourself or if you prefer having someone else handle it for you.

We recommend doing the B visa process yourself unless you feel very confident in your ability to do so. By applying directly through an embassy or consulate, not only can you save money by paying a fee to apply, but you also get access to additional resources like the Application Package, instructions, and other information that may help you along the way.