B-1 Visitor Visa

B-1 Visitor Visas are permitted for persons who are coming to the U.S. for business meetings and seminars, and to meet with counterparts and customers. Training (not on the job training) is permitted in some circumstances. However, persons coming to the U.S. to work are not permitted to use this category. U.S. immigration officials generally take a very broad view of what constitutes "work" in the U.S. immigration officers are well aware of the history of abuse in this category; accordingly, request for this status would be closely scrutinized.

The process is initiated by an applicant applying for a visa at the appropriate U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad. The applicant then seeks entry at a U.S. port of entry, again demonstrating the temporary nature of the visit, as well as sufficient finances for the trip and ties to his/her home country. Permission to enter the U.S. can be granted for as long as 6 months, and is documented on the white I-94 Card. The amount of time a visitor is authorized to remain in the U.S. is determined by the I-94 Card. An application for an extension to the original entry is possible.

B-2 Visitor Visa

B-2 Visitor Visas are permitted for persons who are coming to the U.S. for personal holiday or vacation. A visitor cannot work or attend school in this status. Immigration officials closely scrutinize requests for a change of status to another temporary visa classification.

The process is initiated by an applicant applying for a visa at the appropriate U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad. The applicant then seeks entry at a U.S. port of entry, again demonstrating the temporary nature of the visit, as well as sufficient finances for the trip and ties to his/her home country. Permission to enter the U.S. can be granted for as long as 6 months, and is documented on the white I-94 Card. The amount of time a visitor is authorized to remain in the U.S. is determined by the I-94 Card. An application for an extension to the original entry is possible.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program is a special program that exempts visitors from certain countries from the consular visa requirement. By eliminating the need for a consular visa, the visitor applies for status at the airport prior to departure. It is permitted for persons who are coming to the U.S. for B-1 business meetings, seminars, meet with business counterparts and customers, as well as for B-2 visitor holidays. The period of stay is limited to 90 days from the time of entry. The temporary nature of the stay in the U.S., as well as whether the purpose of the trip is permitted, are determined upon entry. Extensions of stay, and requests to change status to another temporary visa classification, are not permitted.

Persons who are citizens from the following countries may be eligible to apply for a Visa Waiver status: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens coming to the U.S. as business or holiday visitors are exempt from the consular visa application. However, Canadians are still required to prove the temporary non-work purpose, as well as sufficient financial resources, for their entry into the U.S., per the guidelines above.