How to obtain a business visa in the United States
The United States Government grants different types of nonimmigrant visas to people who travel to the American territory for the purpose of doing business. These visas must be applied for abroad and you will need to meet certain requirements in order to apply to each one.
Next, we will mention the types of non-immigrant visas for business purposes. It is important that in case of any doubt, consult the American embassy of your country.
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Business visitors B-1
The B-1 visa is one that is granted to people who temporarily travel to the United States for any of the following reasons:
- Give or receive advice to associated companies.
- Participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions or conferences.
- Liquidate properties.
- Negotiate contracts.
The B-1 business visa is granted jointly with the B-2 visa, which is issued to people who travel to the United States for tourism purposes, to visit family or friends, who are going to undergo medical treatment. or those that will participate in activities of social reason.
Because these visas are designed solely and exclusively for temporary visits, it is important that you demonstrate to the consular officer that your visit will be specifically for business and pleasure and will last a specified time. You must also show that you have enough money to cover your expenses during your stay in the United States and, last but not least, you need to show that you have enough family and economic ties in your home country that oblige you return.
Requirements to apply for the B-1 / B-2 visa:
- Fill in the Form DS-160. This form consists of a series of questions about your visit to the United States, among other aspects such as personal data, information about your current job, etc. The form must be written in English. We recommend that you read it and fill it out calmly and record accurate data. Once the form is completed you can schedule an appointment. Be sure to print the form confirmation sheet as you will need to present it to the embassy on the day of your appointment.
- Have a valid and valid passport for more than six months from the time you will be visiting the United States.
- A passport-type photograph that has been taken in the last six months. The measurements in the photograph should be 5cmx5cm (2 "x 2"). It is not necessary to take it printed on the day of the appointment since you can attach it online to your documentation.
- Pay the visa application fee, this amount varies according to each country and is paid in dollars. You must print the payment receipt and present it on the day of the appointment.
- The receipt with the date and time of the appointment generated by the system.
- As an annex, you can present the day of your appointment any document that can support that your visit to the United States will be for a limited time. Also another document that shows the economic or family ties you have in your country.
The steps to apply for the B-1 / B-2 visa are simple. First you must pay the visa application fee, fill out online the Electronic Visa Application Form DS-160, then you must schedule the appointment and finally attend the appointment at the United States embassy on the day and time that has been scheduled.
Visa for E-1 Traders and E-2 Investors
You are also fall into the business category. Merchant (E-1) and Investor (E-2) visas are issued to citizens who have trade and navigation agreements with the United States.
They are intended for citizens who travel to the United States to participate in trade activities that are included in the agreement signed between the United States and the treaty country. They are also granted to people traveling to the United States to develop or direct the operations of a company in which they have invested a large amount of capital.
Some example companies that qualify within the E-1 and E-2 visa trade are transport, insurance, international banking, tourism and communications companies.
Conditions for obtaining the E-1 visa
- Be a citizen of the treaty country.
- Being a main employee, that is, having some supervisory or executive responsibility within the company.
- The business company you will visit in the United States must have the nationality of the treaty country.
- The person who travels must own at least 50% of the company.
- The commercial activity of the company must have a considerable and constant volume.
- More than 50% of the international trade (exchange of goods, services and technology) involved must be from the United States and the treaty country.
Conditions for obtaining the E-2 visa
- The investor must have citizenship of the treaty country.
- Own at least 50% of the company in the country of the treaty.
- The investment must be substantial enough for the good development of the company.
- The investment must be made in a 100% operating company. Paper organizations do not qualify.
- The company must have a significant impact on the United States economy. The earnings obtained must be greater than the simple fact of supporting a family.
- You must have control of the company's funds.
- You must visit the United States in order to direct or develop the company, that is, you must be the principal investor or occupy a principal position within the organization.
The requirements to obtain both views are:
- Complete the online application by filling out the Form DS-160.
- A 5cmx5cm (2 "x 2") passport photo taken in the last six months.
- Schedule the appointment before the embassy or consulate.
- Pay the visa application fee.
- Fill out Form DS-156 of the visa application for E-1 Merchants and E-2 Investors.
- Attend the scheduled appointment with the required documentation such as a valid and current passport, the confirmation sheet of Form DS-160, the proof of payment of the visa application, the photo (which can be uploaded online) and the proof of Form DS-156.
- The consular officer may request additional documentation related to the company. You can check more details in the manual Treaty Traders, Investors, and Specialty Occupations – E Visas
If you want to read more about this and other topics, we invite you to visit Hispanic Entrepreneurs Tennessee
Related Notes:
Sources:
http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ni_es/ni-niv-typeall.asp
https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/employment/treaty.html
