Visit the US for business or tourism
The B-1/B-2 visitor visa allows short trips to the United States. B-1 covers business activities and B-2 covers tourism, family visits and medical treatment. Most visas are issued as a combined B-1/B-2.
What you can do
B-1 business visitors can attend meetings and conferences, negotiate contracts, consult with business associates, explore investment opportunities and visit potential sites for a US business.
B-2 visitors can travel for tourism, visit family and friends, attend social events and receive medical treatment.
What you cannot do
Visitors cannot work for a US company, be paid by a US source or enroll in a full course of study. Working on a visitor visa can lead to serious immigration consequences.
How to qualify
At your consular interview, you must show that:
- Your trip has a legitimate, temporary purpose
- You have strong ties to your home country, such as a job, business, property or family, and plan to return
- You can pay for the trip
Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries may be able to travel for up to 90 days with an approved ESTA instead of a visa.
Length of stay
Visitors are usually admitted for up to six months. Extensions or changes of status may be possible in some cases, but they must be filed before your authorized stay ends.
Planning to invest or move?
A visitor visa is often the first step for investors exploring the US. If you plan to stay longer, see our Investor Visas and Business Visas pages.
Talk to an immigration attorney
If you have had a prior visa refusal or need to extend your stay, book a Zoom consultation with our visitor visa lawyer.
This page is general information, not legal advice.