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The B-1 business visitor allows an individual to come to
the U.S. for a short period of time for purposes that include
the following:
- engaging in meetings and consultations with U.S. business
associates
- attending non-productive training of benefit to the overseas
company
- attending professional conferences or meetings
A B-1 visitor is not authorized to perform productive work
in the U.S. A B-1 visitor must maintain foreign residence
abroad to which the B-1 visitor intends to return at the end
of the authorized period of stay. The B-1 status may not be
used as a means to accelerate a candidate's eligibility to
enter the U.S. to work. The B-1 entrant will generally remain
on a foreign employer's home country's payroll and cannot
receive compensation from a U.S. source, other than reimbursement
for incidental expenses. The B-1 visa is applied for directly
at the U.S. Consulate.
B-1 visa holders are generally admitted for the period of
time necessary to conduct the business. In theory, a B-1 entrant
may be admitted up to a maximum of six months. However, in
practice, USCIS officers typically allow business visitors
to remain in the United States for no more than 30-90 days.
When unexpected events necessitate an extension, individuals
may apply to extend the authorized period of stay up to six
months. However, prolonged business visits may give rise to
a presumption that the visitor is engaged in prohibited productive
employment.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of participating
countries to travel to the U.S. for tourism or business for
90 days or less without obtaining a U.S. visa. Currently there
are 27 participating countries in the VWP: 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, and
the United Kingdom.
VWP nationals are permitted to enter the U.S. under the same
rules as the B-1 classification through the Visa Waiver program
for up to 90 days. No extensions of status, nor change of
status may be granted to VWP entrants.
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