General Information

Purpose of Visitor Visa

Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a non-immigrant visa for temporary stays, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The "B" Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1), or temporarily for pleasure (B-2). Persons planning to travel to the U.S. for a different purpose such as students, temporary workers, crewmen, journalists, etc., must apply for a different visa in the appropriate category. For additional information, please contact the U.S. Embassy.

Qualifying for a Visa

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visa applicant is an intending immigrant. Therefore, applicants for visitor visas must overcome this presumption by demonstrating that:

1. The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business or pleasure;
2. They plan to remain for a specific, limited period;
3. That they have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding obligations which will ensure their return abroad at the conclusion of the visit, for example: ownership of property, details of immediate family, letters of employment, bank statement etc.