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U.S. Attorney for Visa Matters
Business visa B1

B-1 Business Visa

The B-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for short-term (up to 180 days) visits to the U.S. for business purposes (management, investment, and other functions), provided that the U.S. source will not pay the visitor any salary or other compensation.

B-1 Visa Features:

  • Issued for a period of up to 3 years.
  • Allows multiple business trips for up to 180 days per trip.
  • Allows business trips for various purposes.
Main Requirements for Obtaining a B-1 Visa

The applicant applying for a B-1/B-2 visa must demonstrate to the consular officer that they do not intend to immigrate to the U.S. and that they will leave the U.S. after a certain period.

Under section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, any applicant, regardless of their gender, age, religion, or social status, is considered a potential immigrant when applying for a B-1/B-2 visa.

- Advocate Matthew Morley
Who Can Get a B-1 Visa:

B-1 visas are issued to foreign nationals coming to the U.S. for a limited time with business purposes, provided they will not receive a salary or other compensation from a U.S. source.

The applicant for a B-1 visa is expected to engage in the following activities in the U.S.:

  • Commercial transactions that do not involve paid employment in the U.S. (e.g., orders for goods made abroad).
  • Business consultations with partners.
  • Participation in legal proceedings.
  • Business negotiations.
  • Installation, setup, and operation of commercial or industrial equipment purchased from a company located in the applicant's home country.
  • Investment activities, such as financing projects in the U.S., establishing an office in the U.S.
  • Serving on the board of directors of a U.S. company.
  • Participation in scientific, educational, artistic, and business conferences, conventions, and seminars.
  • Missionary or volunteer work without sales of goods or donations and without receiving compensation from U.S. entities.
  • Conducting independent research in any field authorized by U.S. law.
  • Professional sports without receiving payment in the U.S., such as participation in sports competitions.
  • Services for domestic workers (nannies, housekeepers, etc.) accompanying their employer during their temporary visit to the U.S. (if the worker has worked for the employer for at least one year).
  • Volunteer programs benefiting U.S. residents.
Obtaining a B-1 Visa:

The outcome of a B-1 visa interview depends solely on the consular officer conducting the meeting. Therefore, it's crucial to prepare thoroughly for the interview and to gather a complete set of documents.

The applicant must demonstrate strong ties to their home country. Ideally, this includes having a spouse, children, property ownership, a business, or stable employment in their home country. The absence of one or more of these factors (e.g., recent job changes or job loss) could complicate the visa process.

Applicants should also pay attention to their visa history. Unused visas, frequent trips to the U.S., extensions or changes in visa status, or failure to comply with previous stay periods during past visits to the U.S. may be viewed negatively. However, previous travel to other countries may be seen as a positive factor.

Other, less common reasons for difficulty in obtaining a visa include:

- Citizenship from countries considered problematic by the U.S. (e.g., Syria, Iraq, some African countries).

- Unpaid medical bills in U.S. healthcare facilities.

- "Suspicious" inviting parties (for example, if it's known that other individuals invited by this company did not return to their home country).

Make an appointment for a consultation with a lawyer

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    Why Businessmen Choose Attorney Matthew Morley:

    Matthew Morley is the only American attorney in Moscow specializing in U.S. immigration law. He holds accreditation from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and has a strong reputation at the U.S. Consulate in Russia. Matthew Morley is deeply familiar with the workings of the U.S. Embassy in Russia and other CIS countries.

    Since the B-1 visa interview and decision process is one of the most subjective, consulting with an attorney will help avoid misunderstandings. Matthew Morley will assist in properly gathering supporting documents and preparing a tailored interview plan.