Business and Tourist Visas (B1, B2)

Visas for Tourists and Business Travelers

The B1/B2 Business/Visitor visa is our most commonly issued category. B-1 visas are for people entering the United States temporarily for business, while B-2 visas are appropriate for tourism or family visits. The combined B1/B2 category can be used for both types of activity. The following sections describe what types of documents are required or suggested as well as what you can do if you enter the United States in B-1 or B-2 status.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The only required documents are those listed in How to Apply.

RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS

To qualify for a B-1, B-2 or B1/B2 visa, you have to demonstrate that:

• you have a valid reason for going to the United States;
  
• you are actually capable of doing whatever it is that you say you are going to do in the United States;
  
• your situation here in China or in another foreign country, whatever it may be, is stable and attractive enough that you will return to it at the end of your stay in the United States;
  
• your visit will be for a definite, temporary period;
  
• you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses in the United States.
  

Note: Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, a visa may not be issued to any applicant who is unable to overcome the presumption that he or she is an intending immigrant by demonstrating the above factors to the satisfaction of the interviewing consular officer.

Because each applicant’s situation is unique, there is no specific list of documents which must be submitted to address each of these points. The following are suggestions which have been useful to previous applicants:

Tourists

• Employment: (i) A letter from the applicant's employer stating job title, salary, and date of hire; and, (ii) the applicant's three most recent pay slips.
  
• Bank statements: Monthly statements or passbook showing account activity for at least the past year (single-deposit certificates are less helpful for this purpose). Note that the officer needs to assess your individual financial situation, so statements from company accounts are not necessarily useful.
  
• Proof of ownership of assets such as a house or car.
  
• Documents showing evidence of family relationships here in China, such as your marriage certificate and family registry (hukou).
  
• Spouses and Minors may submit the documents of their spouse or parent; however, they should provide proof of the relationship by including a marriage or birth certificate.
  
• Evidence of prior travel to other developed countries, including old passports and photographs

Applicants Visiting Relatives in the United States

• All of the recommended documents listed above for "Tourists.”
  
• Documents showing your relationship to the person you plan to visit.
  
• Photographs of you and your relative together.
  
• Documents showing your relative’s immigration status in the United States as well as his or her travel history to China—e.g. photocopies of his or her passport and U.S. visa (or green card) and entry/exit stamps showing travel to China.

Business Travelers

• All of the recommended documents listed above for "Tourists.”
  
• Your business card and company ID.
  
• A letter from the applicant's employer stating the specific nature of the business or training the applicant will engage in, details of financial support, and the names and locations of U.S. business contacts or training locations.
  
• A letter from the U.S. company, organization or person that you will be dealing with in the United States.
  
• Documents that show any prior business your company has done with the U.S. company or organization.
  

WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITY ARE APPROPRIATE FOR BUSINESS (B-1) TRAVELERS?

A traveler visiting the United States for business reasons that do not involve receiving income from a U.S. source may travel on a business visa. Business travel generally means engaging in business activities other than the actual performance of labor. If you intend to work in the United States, you will need a visa specifically for that purpose. Note also that journalists, or other members of the media who are going to the United States as part of their job—e.g. to cover a story—must apply for an I-1 visa and may NOT travel on a B-1 or B1/B2 visa.

The following are some examples of the type of travel for which a B-1 Business visa would be appropriate:

• Employees of a company who go to the United States to solicit sales, negotiate contracts, or take orders from established customers for work that will be performed in China or in other countries outside the United States;
  
• Employees of a company or office of a U.S. company who go to the United States to engage in consultations with U.S. business associates;
  
• Business people attending professional conferences or conventions, or executive seminars in the United States;
  
• Business people who go to the United States to undertake independent research, such as product or market research;
  
• Investors going to the United States to set up their investments; and
  
• Physicians coming to observe new procedures and to consult without performing any patient care.
  

WHAT AM I ALLOWED TO DO IN THE UNITED STATES AS A (B-2) TOURIST?

Travelers visiting the United States for pleasure can do so on Visitor (or Tourist) visas. A B-2 visa is appropriate for such activities as:

• Tourism;
  
• Visiting friends and relatives;
  
• Receiving Medical treatment;
  
• Participation in conventions or conferences of fraternal or social organizations; and
  
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports and similar events.