|
|
|
Category-B1
Business visit should not mean to gain employment, but should mean almost any legitimate commercial activity including, consultations within business associates, negotiating a contract, buying goods or materials, settling an estate, appearing as a witness in a court trial, participating in business or professional conventions or conferences, or undertaking independent research.
|
Category |
Form |
Fee |
Validity |
B-1 (visit for Business Purpose) |
DS-156
DS-157 |
Refer to`Visa
Fee’ earlier |
12 months |
|
Who Can Apply?
Applicants in the following occupation or profession can apply for business visit visa.
|
|
Occupation Title |
Occupation in Detail |
Research and Design |
Technical, scientific and statistical researchers to conduct independent research or research for an enterprise
|
Growth, Manufacture & Production |
Harvester owner supervising a harvesting crew admitted under applicable law
Purchase and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions.
|
Marketing |
Market researchers and analysts conducting independent research or analysis.
Trade fair and promotional personnel attending a trade convention.
|
Sales |
Sales representatives and agents taking orders or negotiating contracts for goods or services who does not deliver goods or providing services.
Buyers purchasing for an enterprise located in the territory of another Party.
|
Distribution |
Transportation operators transporting goods to US or loading and transporting goods from US with no unloading in the US.
Customs brokers to perform brokerage work associated with the export of goods from the US to Canada or through Canada.
|
After-sales Service |
Installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors, with specialized knowledge essential to the seller's contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform services, pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software, purchased from an enterprise located outside the US, during the life of the warranty or service agreement. (The commercial or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software, must have been manufactured outside US)
|
General Service |
Professionals engaged in a business activity, not involving any remuneration from US source (other than an expense allowance or other reimbursement towards incidental expenses of the temporary stay).
Management and supervisory personnel engaged in commercial transaction for an enterprise.
Financial services personnel (insurers, bankers or investment brokers) engaged in commercial transaction for an enterprise.
Public relations and advertising personnel consulting with business associates, or attending or participating in conventions.
Tourism personnel (tour and travel agents, tour guides or tour operators)
Translators or interpreters performing services as employees of an enterprise.
|
Note: An Indian applicant intends to undertake building or construction work in US, whether on-site or in-plant, cannot seek admission under this category. But an Indian applicant intends to perform supervision or training of others engaged in building or construction work, but not for the purpose of actually performing any such building or construction work themselves can seek admission under this category.
The Indian candidate who has a B-1 status or changes to B-1 status considered to be violated the conditions if the candidate enrolls in a course of study. If the Indian candidate wishes to undertake a course of study he must seek for a change of status to F-l or M-l category. Until the change of status is granted to the candidate he is not suppose to undertake any course of study.
Conditions
The Indian candidate seeking admission under B-1 business category will be admitted for one year and extension may be granted in increments of not more than six months each.
Applicants for visitor visas should not find it necessary to employ persons to assist them in preparing documents.
The Indian Applicant should note that a visa does not guarantee admission into US. The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection is the deciding authority of admission / denial / the period of stay.
At the port of entry the Record of Arrival-Departure through Form I-94 which determines the length of stay will be validated. The Indian visitor intends to stay beyond the time mentioned on their I-94 form must approach the US Citizenship and Immigration Service to request Form I-539, meant for Extension of Stay, who in turn will decide on the request whether to deny or extend the stay.
Procedure
The Indian visitor should apply for the visa well in advance, and not later than 60 days before the scheduled travel date. If the visit is scientific in nature, or if the applicant has a scientific background, the application can be made 90 days in advance of the travel.
If the applicant feels that the interview appointment date given by embassy or consulate is too late for the intended travel, he/ she can visit the US Embassy or Consulate and request an expedited appointment. Such request should clearly detail how it is important to expedite the case.
(a) Pay the Application Fee & VFS Service Charge at a designated branch of the HDFC Bank and obtain a two-page Visa Fee Receipt.
(b) Book an appointment & Complete the Application Forms Appointment can be booked online with VFS or with VFS Counter Service.
(c) Attend the Visa Interview.
(d) Wait for the return of passport by Courier.
Additional Documents
(1) Duly completed and signed application form.
(2) Letter of Invitation from the US sponsor.
(3) Correspondences made with US sponsor (purchasers, suppliers or contacts)
(4) Latest contracts, bills of lading or other documentary proof of recent imports & exports of purchases
(5) Any proof of arrangements in preparation for the trip made in US.
(6) Business license & documents
(7) IT statements of the last 2 year
(8) Bank statements of last six months of company account as well as personal account.
(9) Proof showing that the applicant is authorized to draw on the company account
(10) Copies of recent publications / advertising brochures (if any)
|
|
