The B1 Business Visitor visa allows visitors who are seeking short-term entry into the U.S. to engage in legitimate business activities of a commercial or professional nature that do not involve receiving salary or payment of any kind from a U.S. source. The B2 visa allows tourist activities, such as visiting friends and relatives, obtaining medical treatment, sightseeing, attending conferences and meetings.

“Under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act, the applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify.”

Applicants for visitor visas must meet the following criteria:

• The purpose of participant’s trip is to enter the U.S. for pleasure, business, or medical treatment
• The participants plan to remain for a limited period
• The participants have a residence outside the U.S. as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit

Process:

In India, there are four consulates of USA and one is the Virtual Consulate, you need to contact a specific consulate that is applicable for you based on your address of residency/state in India. You must have all the documents as per the list. USA sponsor needs to send the following documents:

• To Support form I-134, completed and notarized Affidavit is required. The form can be downloaded from US-INS web site.
• Account verification letter, which is usually on the Banks office stationary, it should have Date of Account open and current balance.
• If USA citizen: Copy of certificate of citizenship. If Green card Holder: Copy of green card.
• Copy of your Bank Statement, showing sufficient balance in order to justify your financial position.
• Copy of recent income tax returns.
• Certificate Letter from your employer (on company’s business letter head), stating that you are a permanent employee of the company, and also stating your salary. 1 or 2 recent pay stub copies. If you are a Visa holder Copies of your – Visa (H1/L1), H1 approval form (I-797), and I-94. (If visa has expired but has a renewed petition, photocopy of the renewed petition.)
• A letter from Bank/banks (on their business letter head), stating your account summary.
• A formal invitation letter addressed to the person (person’s) you are inviting to US. Also stating that you will be taking care of all their needs while in US, including tickets, boarding and other expenses in USA.
• A neat photocopy of your complete Passport, including even the blank pages.
• An application/letter from you to the US consulate in India (address it to the particular consulate e.g. Delhi), requesting for issuing a visitor visa to the concerned person, stating that you will be taking care of every needful for these people, including tickets, boarding and other expenses in USA.

Applicant needs:

• Non-immigration Visa application form DS-156, which you can get free of charge at the consulates only. (Separate for each visitor)
• For all male non-immigrant visa applicants between the ages of 16 and 45, form DS-157. Which is available free of charge at the consulates only. (Separate for each visitor)
• Each applicant, including children of any age, must possess an individual passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.
• US consulates are very particular about the Photographs specification. You need two photographs 2 and 2 inches square (50 mm square) for each applicant, showing full face, without head covering, against a light background to be used in the application Form.