Family Immigration
B-2 Visitor Visa
This is the most common visa for people from a foreign country who wish to come to the U.S. to visit. It’s also commonly called “tourist” visa for that reason.
As with any other non-immigrant visa (to the exception of the H, L, V visa category) the applicant must prove intent not to come to the US to stay but to go back to where (s)he has a life. (Note: Any relevant information to prove this point is good to bring to the interview (credit card bill, light bill, mortgage paper, deeds of property, children’s birth certificate)
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At the port of entry, the Inspecting Officer will stamp the I-94 the length of time the person is allowed to stay in the U.S. (I-94 is the form the the any non-immigrant alien is required to fill out and show at inspection). The visa holder may apply for an extension before the end of the period of stay allowed. However, the risk here that the time the Immigration Service took to process the extension application may go beyond the period of stay allowed, thus will put the visa holder out of status while waiting for the extension.. The visa holder will not want to be out of status even for one day for this will bar him/her from re-entering the U.S.
B-2, as in the case with the B-1 visa, is of the U.S. consulate discretionary power to grant, or to deny. There is no appeal. The case is solid up front!
In theory, an applicant whose application was denied my file a motion to the Consulate to reconsider the application in light of new facts. This usually is done by refiling the application but, the point is, even this procedure is of the discretion of the Consular officer to grant or to deny.
It must be noted that once a visa application is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn. The detail must be accurate. The record stay for a long time. This means that anything that is said on the application must be truthful as untrue statement, if it is later determined to be material information based on which a benefit is granted, may bar the person from re-applying for any benefit.
A few reasons for which a person may apply for a B-2 Visitor Visa
- People who enter for pleasure
- Family of the Armed forces
- Athletes & Entertainers
- Photographers, Musicians
- Tourists
Citizens from some countries (Western Europe, Singapore, Australia, Canada are qualified for a three-month visa waiver.
B1 Business Visitor Visa
This is the visa granted to people who came to US for business purpose. It is to be noted that while the visit is business motivated, the person cannot have any activities that may be deemed as “working” (earning money from the activities in question)
As with any other non-immigrant visa (to the exception of the H-1 category) the applicant must prove intent not to come to the US to stay but to go back to where (s)he has a life. (Note: Any relevant information to prove this point is good to bring to the interview (credit card bill, light bill, mortgage paper, deeds of property, children’s birth certificate)
.
At the port of entry, the Inspecting Officer will stamp the I-94 the length of time the person is allowed to stay in the U.S. (I-94 is the form the the any non-immigrant alien is required to fill out and show at inspection). The visa holder may apply for an extension before the end of the period of stay allowed. However, the risk here that the time the Immigration Service took to process the extension application may go beyond the period of stay allowed, thus will put the visa holder out of status while waiting for the extension.. The visa holder will not want to be out of status even for one day for this will bar him/her from re-entering the U.S.
Following is a few business reasons for which one may apply for B-1
- To make investment, for example, to analyze and negotiate the purchase of a company (again, the B-1 visa holder may not run a business with the visa)
- To tend to a litigation to which the person is implicated.
- To negotiate a contract to be complete abroad
- To compete in tournament (an amateur player coming for a trial)
A B1 visa holder may apply for change of status while in the U.S.
