US B1 Visa: A Comprehensive Guide to the Business Visa

Are you a foreigner who needs to do business in the US? Then you probably need the US B1 Visa. It is the perfect nonimmigrant visa for temporary business visitors who require permission to stay in the United States temporarily without permanently settling there.

The B-1 Visa is different from the B-2 Visa, which is for tourism and medical treatment. As a B-1 Visa holder, you get an initial period of stay of one to six months with the possibility of extension. The visa itself is temporary and ties you to your business activities, so you cannot use it for employment or long-term stays.

If you are wondering “what is B1 Visa”, then you are in the right place. This complete guide covers the entire application process, benefits, documentation, visa validity, and the differences between the B1 and B2 Visas.

What is the B-1 Business Visa USA?

The B-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa for business travelers, which allows them to travel to the United States for temporary business visits. However, since this is a visitor visa, you cannot work with a B1.

The US government has provided examples of what you can do on a US B-1 Visitor Visa. They include:

Attend seminars, conferences, business conventions
Settle real estate contracts
Take part in training programs
Consult with partners, business associates, or clients
Visit family members or friends
Go to social events, like festivals or concerts

B-1 Visas are issued by US Embassies and Consulates abroad, which are under the jurisdiction of the Department of State. The USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) is responsible for processing applications and petitions within the United States, such as changes of status.

Note: From 1 October 2025, most B-1 applicants will have to pay a $250 “Visa Integrity Fee”, which will act as a tariff for tourists on top of the other application fees.

Who is eligible for a B-1 Visa?

If you fall under any of these categories, you’re probably eligible for the business visa:

Selling/setting up a booth/fair/etc.
Service engineer
Speaker or lecturer
Business venture
Conference
Researcher
Medical elective
Voluntary work
Working in the Outer Continental Shelf

B-1 Visa Benefits

Obtaining a B-1 visa for the United States can be beneficial for various reasons. The B-1 visa is a non immigrant visa category designed for temporary business visitors. Here are a few reasons why you might consider getting a B-1 visa:

Business purposes: The B-1 visa grants a nonimmigrant status, allowing you to attend conferences, workshops, meetings, negotiate contracts, conduct market research, or consult with business associates.
Networking and collaborations: You can meet other professionals and explore potential collaborations, which can help your business grow on a global scale.
Site visits: It allows temporary stay for you to visit company branches, factories, or inspect facilities.
No cap: Unlike many work visas, like H-1B Visa or H-2B Visa, there’s no yearly limit on the number of B-1 Visas that can be issued, making them easier to get.
Flexibility: The B-1 is often issued as a multiple-entry visa, allowing you to travel as needed for ongoing business affairs.

What’s the difference between B1 and B2 Visa?

The main difference between B1 and B2 visas is purpose. B1 is a valid visa for business activities like meetings or conferences, while B2 is for tourism, vacation, or medical visits. Both are nonimmigrant visas allowing short-term entry into the US but for distinctly different intents.

The B1 US Visa is suitable for business meetings, short training courses, drafting real estate deals, and similar work-related visits. The B2 is for non-business-related travel that doesn’t require any work authorization. These visas let you stay in the United States temporarily and provide a nonimmigrant status. An immigration consultant at Global Citizen Solutions can help perform independent research on the best visa that suits your needs. They can help collect the necessary paperwork to aid with your application.

B-1 Visa Requirements

The B-1 visa requirements that you must meet are:

You have a business-related intent for visiting the US
You’re financially covered for your stay, and you’re able to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds
You intend to return to your home country as soon as your visa expires (unless you must extend it to further engage in business affairs)
You must submit the required documents and detailed information to support your application (which may include supporting documents such as a travel itinerary).
You must pay the visa application fee, which is typically around $185, and a visa issuance fee. A new “Visa Integrity Fee” of $250 is also expected to affect non-immigrant visa applicants, including B-1/B-2 holders.

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

The B-1 Visa is mostly used for people who come to the US for short business visits. However, not all foreigners need a B-1 Visa to enter the United States. The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of certain countries, like Belgium, Croatia, and France, to enter the US for business or tourism for up to 90 days without a visa. Simply apply for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) instead.

To qualify for a Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you:

Must be a citizen of one of the 42 designated countries for VWP travelers
Have an e-passport with machine-readable zone (MRZ)
Have a digital chip on the valid passport

Looking for an investor visa in the USA? Check out our ultimate guide to the EB-5 Visa

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Document Requirements for the B-1 Visa

You must have the following documents to support your visa application:

The Form DS-160 confirmation page and code
A copy of a passport valid for at least six months beyond your planned stay in the US
A list of the social media accounts you use, with the name of each account listed
Interview confirmation
A photo that complies with the US visa photo requirements
A letter describing the purpose of your trip
Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US
Ties to your home country, such as family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which prove you will return
Criminal records or letters from authorities stating that you do not have prior convictions
If you have visited the US before, bring documents relevant to your prior visits.
If you work, bring a letter from your employer and payslips for the last three months.
A letter from the company detailing the purpose of the trip and your job position

Note: B-1 applicants from a foreign country must attend a visa interview with all documents on hand. Be prepared to answer questions from the interviewer as to the nature of your visit to the United States. You also may be asked about your background, what business you will be doing in the US, and whether you intend to return.

US B1 Visa: Application Process

The US Department of State issues the US B-1 visa through its consular offices in various countries worldwide. These consular offices are typically part of US embassies or consulates and are responsible for processing visa applications and conducting interviews.

To obtain a B-1 Visa, you would generally need to submit an application to the US embassy or consulate in your home country or the foreign country where you have legal residence. The visa application process typically involves filling out the required forms (including Form DS-160), paying the application fee, providing supporting documents, and attending an in-person visa interview.

During the interview, a consular officer will assess your eligibility for the B-1 visa and ask questions about your purpose of travel, intended activities in the US, and other relevant additional information. The officer will decide based on the information provided and the requirements set by US immigration laws and regulations. After you get approved, you will receive a nonimmigrant status.

B1 Visa USA: Program Cost

For the B1 Visa, you will need to pay several US government fees. The Machine Readable Visa (MRV) is the main application fee, which costs $185. As of 1 October 2025, a new “Visa Integrity Fee” is to be added, for an additional $250, which brings the total cost to $435.

If you are a national of a country that has to pay a reciprocity fee, such as Bulgaria, Romania, or the Central African Republic, the average cost ranges from $15 to $40 or well over $200, depending on your home country.

B1 Visa Period of Stay and Extensions

On a B‑1 Visa, the initial period of stay is often up to six months. You may then request an extension, up to another six months, by filing Form I‑539 with USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services). So, while each trip allows a six-month stay, the maximum period is a year in the United States with a B-1 Status, if your application is approved. Once the initial period ends, you are expected to return to your home country and not overstay your visa. Your Form I-94 Record shows the exact date you should leave the US.

To apply or request to extend the visa, you must submit an application to the USCIS and provide a support letter. This letter comes from a company or an employer you work with and indicates that your stay in the US is strictly for business. If your plans change, and you plan on staying longer than the date shown on the Form I-94, but you don’t want to leave the country, then you must file Form I-539. This application to extend or change a nonimmigrant status requires sending supporting documents to the USCIS.

Can I Get a Green Card as a B-1 Visa Holder?

Sadly, you can’t acquire a Green Card as a B-1 holder. One of the criteria for obtaining a B-1 is to prove you intend to return to your home country. This means you cannot make plans to stay in the US permanently. If you are interested in obtaining permanent residence in the US, perhaps look into the US’s two other visas, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa or the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa. Both visas let you stay in the US indefinitely, and provide an opportunity to apply for a Green Card.

Why work with Global Citizen Solutions?

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique investment migration consultancy firm focused on finding the right residency or citizenship by investment program for individuals wishing to secure their future and become global citizens. With offices in Portugal, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, and Brazil, our multilingual team guides individuals and families from start to finish, providing expert advice considering freedom, mobility, taxation, and security.

We have helped hundreds of clients from 35+ countries in all the top Residency by Investment and Citizenship by Investment programs. With an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the area, we provide our clients with solid guidance. We have a team of immigration lawyers, and immigration advisers specialized in US immigration.
Our team has never had a case rejected. Our 100 percent approval rate sets us apart from our competitors and guarantees that you can expect a successful application.
Our transparent pricing covers all the processes from opening your bank account, document certification, and legal due diligence to investment and submission. As there is one fee for the entire process, you can be confident that you will not face any hidden costs later.
All data is stored within a GDPR-compliant database on a secure SSL-encrypted server. You can be safe knowing that your personal data is treated with the utmost security.
Global Citizen Solutions provides an all-encompassing solution. Our support can continue even after you receive your passport. We offer additional services such as company incorporation, Trusts, and Foundations formation.
The BeGlobal Onboarding System® allows you to access the status of your application every step of the way, something that sets us apart from our competitors.

Frequently Asked Questions About the US B1 Visa

What is a B-1 Visa for the US?

The US B1 Visa is a short-term, nonimmigrant visa for people traveling for business purposes, like meetings, conferences, or contract discussions. It doesn’t allow you to work in the US and is often issued alongside the B2 tourist visa as a B1/B2 combo, under a single visa stamp.

How long can you stay on a B1 Visa?

Although the visa itself is valid up to ten years, you can stay in the US on a B1 Visa for a maximum of six months. Sometimes, you can extend it for another six months, but the stay must remain temporary and tied to the original business purpose. After the date expires, you must return to your home country.

What is the processing time for B1 Visa?

The US B1 Visa processing time typically ranges from two to eight weeks. But, if the US Embassy or Consulate has a heavy workload with many pending applicants, processing can take several months. For example, the processing time for the DS-160 Form is short (two to three business days), but you also have to schedule a visa interview appointment and wait for more processing.

Can I extend my United States B-1 Visa?

Yes, you can extend your United States B-1 visa by filing Form I-539 with USCIS (US Citizenship and Immigration Services) before your current stay expires. Extensions are typically granted for up to six additional months if you justify the business need and maintain visa eligibility.

Can B-1 Visa holders' family members travel with them to the United States?

B-1 Visa holders’ family members cannot travel under the same visa. If they wish to accompany the B-1 holder, each family member must apply for a separate B-2 tourist visa. The B-2 visa allows them to enter the US for tourism during the B-1 visit.

Can I work in the US with a B-1 Visa?

No, you cannot work in the US with a B-1 Visa as it is not a work visa. The US Visa B1 allows only temporary business activities, like meetings or conferences. It strictly prohibits any form of employment or receiving payment from a US source.

How can I schedule a B-1 Visa interview?

To schedule an B-1 Visa interview, you need to file the DS-160 Form, pay the application fees, and then go to the official US visa appointment service website for your home country. You can then book a visa interview at the nearest US Embassy or Consulate.

How do I apply for a US B1 Visa from India?

Indian nationals must follow the same application process for the B1 Visa as everyone else. That means filling out the DS-160 Form, paying $185 for application fees, and going to a Visa Application Center (VAC) for biometrics. You also have to attend an interview at a US Embassy or Consulate in India and bring all the necessary documents.

How do I choose between B1 or B2 Visa USA?

The main difference between B1 and B2 visas lies in their purpose. If you plan on doing short business visits, then the B1 is for you. But, if you need a tourism visa for visiting family, sightseeing, or to get medical treatment, then the B2 Visa is a better choice. Both of them are nonimmigrant visas.

Can a B-1 Visa holder work in the US as a personal or domestic employee?

Yes, you can work in the US as a personal or domestic employee as an B-1 Visa holder, if your employer is a US citizen who has a permanent home abroad, but is in the US temporarily; or a foreign citizen who is in the United States on one of the following nonimmigrant visa categories: B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q.

Can foreign medical school students get a B-1 Visa?

In most cases, students from a foreign medical school usually don’t use a B-1 business visa, unless they use it for elective clerkship (which is like training or internship often in a US medical school’s hospital), or to observe business or other vocational or professional academic activities, like conferences and independent research.

Can I use a B-1 Visa in an expired passport?

Yes, you can use a valid B-1 Visa in an expired passport. You must travel with both your expired passport (containing the valid B-1 Visa) and a new, valid passport. Both passports must be from the same country, and your name must be identical. Do not remove the visa from the old passport.

US B1 Visa: Temporary Business Visa Explained