The B-1 visa category allows foreign business persons to enter the U.S. for temporary periods of time to “conduct business.” A B-1 business visitor is usually granted a period of entry for 30 days, unless he can demonstrate at the port of entry that a longer period of admission is needed for the purpose of his trip.
The general requirements for entry in B-1 status are that the foreign national:
- Is entering the U.S. for a limited period of time
- Intends to depart at the end of the stay
- Maintains a foreign residence with no intent to abandon it
- Possesses sufficient financial means to stay in the U.S. without accepting employment
- Engages solely in “legitimate business visitor activities”
Legitimate business visitor activities, as opposed to “employment”, include: engaging in commercial transactions (e.g., taking orders for goods manufactured abroad), negotiating contracts, holding meetings with business associates, and participating in educational or professional business conventions, conference, seminars. or undertaking independent research.
