USA Business Visa B1
Under US immigration law, foreign nationals who intend to conduct business in the US for longer than 90 days will require a B1 visa. For these purposes, business does not generally include undertaking gainful employment in the US or operating a business. It is limited to short-term activities such as litigation, signing contracts or attending meetings. Other situations might include:
- Taking part in a sales exhibition.
- Voluntary work.
- Speakers and lecturers who are not being paid a fee.
- Unpaid independent researchers whose work will not benefit the American institution.
A B1 visa for USA also covers professional athletes participating in a tournament for which prize money, as opposed to salary, is their only payment and religious work as a missionary or preacher. Amateur athletes and non-professional entertainers may qualify for the B2 visa.
US Business Visa for Treaty Traders and Investors
There is another category of business visa the USA issues to nationals of countries with which it maintains a treaty of friendship and commerce:
- The visa E1 covers visitors who want to carry on substantial trade between the USA and the treaty country. For example, a business that enjoys substantial sales in the US (more than 50 per cent of its total international trade), but has no outlets there, might qualify for Treaty Trader status. The owner or employees might then obtain an E1 visa.
- An overseas investor who buys a 75 per cent share in a US based business, which employs mainly US citizens, may be able to enter the US on an E2 visa for the purpose of operating his business.
Category E visas can be issued for up to five years, but applicants must continue to meet the principal trade criteria of the visas. They are not intended for applicants simply seeking residence.
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