United States•North America

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B-1 — Business Visitor

Work

At a Glance

Processing Time

1 day – 1.8 years

Estimated Cost

$1,215 USD

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

6 months

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

No job offer needed

Work

Remote not required

Apply Now Official Information

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

Overview

Short-term business activities — meetings, negotiations, conferences, consultations. No U.S.-source salary.

The B-1 is a US visa for short-term business activities — meetings, negotiations, conferences, and contract signings. No US work authorization; salary must come from abroad.

Stays up to 6 months, extendable via I-539. Renewable; often issued as B-1/B-2. Spouses apply separately under B-2. No PR pathway.

This visa is ideal for foreign executives, consultants, and professionals attending US meetings, conferences, or contract talks without US employment.

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Cost Breakdown

MRV Application Fee$185 USD

EVUS Enrollment (Chinese nationals only)$30 USD

Visa Integrity Fee$250 USD

Expedited Interview Fee$750 USD

Total$1,215 USD

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

6 months

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United States

F-1 — Student Visa

ValidityAdmitted for 'Duration of Status' (D/S), which covers the length of the academic program plus a 60-day grace period.

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United States

H-1B — Specialty Occupation Worker

Validity3 to 6 years

Processing2 weeks – 9 months

View Visa Details

United States

E-1 — Treaty Trader

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 3 months

View Visa Details

United States

E-2 — Treaty Investor

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 4 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay

Demonstrate strong ties to home country (non-immigrant intent)

Sufficient funds to cover stay

Business purpose qualifies under B-1 activities (consultations, conferences, negotiations)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

DS-160 confirmation page

Application fee payment receipt

Digital photo meeting DOS specifications

Supporting documents showing business purpose (invitation letters, conference registration, etc.)

Evidence of ties to home country

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Covers broad range of business activities: consultations, conferences, contract negotiations
Typically issued as multiple-entry visa valid up to 10 years (reciprocity-based)
Allows participation in business meetings without constituting local employment
Can be combined with B-2 tourism activities on same trip

Worth Knowing

No employment or paid work permitted
Birth tourism explicitly prohibited
Overstaying automatically revokes the visa under INA §222(g)
Chinese B-1/B-2 holders must enroll in EVUS every 2 years ($30 fee, as of September 2025)
Does not confer immigrant intent — demonstrating ties to home country is essential
Processing times and interview wait times vary significantly by consulate location

Application Process

Complete Form DS-160 online at ceac.state.gov

Pay $185 MRV fee

Schedule consular interview at nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Attend interview with required documents

Pay visa issuance fee if approved (if applicable by reciprocity) and the $250 Visa Integrity Fee (if not exempt)

Application Forms

Go to application portal

DS-160

Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

Fill online

Verified Claims (33)

Last verified Jul 2, 2026

Application Steps

Complete Form DS-160 online at ceac.state.gov; Pay $185 MRV fee; Schedule consular interview at near…

travel.state.gov

Blockers

—

travel.state.gov

Can Convert To

us-f-1; us-h-1b; us-e-1; us-e-2

travel.state.gov

Living in United States

Cost of Living

Baseline

Avg Salary$51,000

Quality of Life

186/200

Full Country Guide

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Overview

Short-term business activities — meetings, negotiations, conferences, consultations. No U.S.-source salary.

The B-1 is a US visa for short-term business activities — meetings, negotiations, conferences, and contract signings. No US work authorization; salary must come from abroad.

Stays up to 6 months, extendable via I-539. Renewable; often issued as B-1/B-2. Spouses apply separately under B-2. No PR pathway.

This visa is ideal for foreign executives, consultants, and professionals attending US meetings, conferences, or contract talks without US employment.

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

United States

F-1 — Student Visa

ValidityAdmitted for 'Duration of Status' (D/S), which covers the length of the academic program plus a 60-day grace period.

Processing2 weeks – 2 months

View Visa Details

United States

H-1B — Specialty Occupation Worker

Validity3 to 6 years

Processing2 weeks – 9 months

View Visa Details

United States

E-1 — Treaty Trader

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 3 months

View Visa Details

United States

E-2 — Treaty Investor

Validity2 years

Processing2 weeks – 4 months

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Valid passport with at least 6 months validity beyond intended stay

Demonstrate strong ties to home country (non-immigrant intent)

Sufficient funds to cover stay

Business purpose qualifies under B-1 activities (consultations, conferences, negotiations)

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Valid passport

DS-160 confirmation page

Application fee payment receipt

Digital photo meeting DOS specifications

Supporting documents showing business purpose (invitation letters, conference registration, etc.)

Evidence of ties to home country

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Covers broad range of business activities: consultations, conferences, contract negotiations
Typically issued as multiple-entry visa valid up to 10 years (reciprocity-based)
Allows participation in business meetings without constituting local employment
Can be combined with B-2 tourism activities on same trip

Worth Knowing

No employment or paid work permitted
Birth tourism explicitly prohibited
Overstaying automatically revokes the visa under INA §222(g)
Chinese B-1/B-2 holders must enroll in EVUS every 2 years ($30 fee, as of September 2025)
Does not confer immigrant intent — demonstrating ties to home country is essential
Processing times and interview wait times vary significantly by consulate location