B-1 Business visitors

Business visitors

Most businesspersons entering the

United States

enter with B-1 visas. The visa itself, which is issued by a

consul abroad, may be issued for varying periods of time, and may be issued for single or multiple entries.

This must be distinguished from the period of time that is granted by the

immigration service once the alien makes application for entry at a

border point. Usually, the

immigration service will grant the B-1 applicant the period of time that is necessary for him or her to accomplish the purpose of the visit, usually from a few weeks up to six months.

B-1 visas are usually issued to aliens who are coming to the

United States

to enter into or negotiate contracts, purchase goods for shipment abroad, obtain orders for products manufactured abroad, attend business conventions, consult with business organizations, or to investigate business opportunities in the

United States

. They may also be used to check on business investments that the alien has previously made in the

United States

, and to permit the alien to open and establish a new

business, although, it must be pointed out that, the alien cannot actively participate in the management of said business.

In order to obtain a B-1 visa, the alien must establish that he or she has a residence in a foreign country which he or she has no intention of abandoning.

The alien must also establish intent to depart from the

United States

at the expiration of the temporary stay and that he or she has adequate funds to cover the expenses of the expected stay in the

United States

. In this regard, the consular or US immigration official will look to the alien's ties with the foreign country to determine whether there are sufficient contacts to indicate the likelihood of the alien's returning to the foreign domicile. These ties would include such things as employment abroad, family, property, or other business or social connections with the foreign country.

Accompanying family members of B-1s, who are defined as the spouse and minor unmarried children, are usually given the same period of time as the principal alien. If, after entry to the

United States

, the alien discovers that he or she needs additional time in order to accomplish the purpose of the trip, an extension of time may be requested from the

immigration service, on

immigration form I-539, which applications are usually granted.

In many instances, the

consul will issue a joint B-1/B-2 visa. In these cases, the alien may seek to enter the

United States

, in either nonimmigrant category. At the time of entry, the alien will advise the

immigration officer at the port of entry of the primary purpose of the trip. If the primary purpose is for business, the alien will be admitted as a B-1, business visitor. Otherwise, the alien will be admitted as a B-2, visitor for pleasure.

2700 N MacDill Ave. Ste. 218 / 300 S Duncan Ave. Ste.135B

Tampa, FL / Clearwater

(813) 874-2802 / (727) 466-0784

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