Visitor Visa

The visitor visas are for persons desiring to enter the US temporarily for business, pleasure or medical treatment. Every year millions of foreign visitors travel to the United States for business or pleasure. They come as tourists or to visit family and friends. Others come for specific purposes, such as business, scientific, educational, or professional conferences, conventions, training, or consulting with business associates.

Other foreign visitors come for diverse reasons; for example for medical treatment, a volunteer program conducted by charitable organizations, as visiting ministers or under certain conditions, as personal or domestic employees. Some foreign athletes and sports teams may come to the U.S. with visitor visas. Most of these visitors need a visitor visas to enter the United States. Foreign visitors add greatly to our nation's cultural, education and economic life.

Applicants for visitor visas must show that they qualify under provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The presumption in the law is that every visitor visa applicant is an intending immigrant.

Applicants for visitor visas must demonstrate that:

• The purpose of their trip is to enter the U.S. for business, pleasure, or medical treatment.

• They plan to remain for a specific, limited period.

• They 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.

There are two categories in this: B-1 for business visitors and B-2 for pleasure or medical treatment. In practice B-1 visas are issued jointly with B-2 (i.e. visitor for pleasure) visa. Therefore, if a person already has an old tourist visa that will be valid for a planned business trip. Although using the B category for the purpose of study is not permitted, some study ancillary to a legitimate visit to the United States in this category is permissible.

The most commonly used visa used to enter and stay temporarily in the United States is the Visitor Visa. There are two types of Visitor Visas, the B-1 Business Visitor Visa and the B-2 Tourist Visitor Visa.  Applicable restrictions of the use of such visas include the nature of visit to the United States as well as the nationality of the visitor. 

Foreign travelers who are citizens from certain eligible countries, may not need Visitor visa to visit the U.S. They can enter USA without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.

The following countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program:

• Andorra

• Austria

• Australia

• Belgium

• Brunei

• Denmark

• Finland

• France

• Germany

• Iceland

• Ireland

• Italy

• Japan

• Liechtenstein

• Luxembourg

• Monaco

• Netherlands

• New Zealand

• Norway

• Portugal

• San Marino

• Singapore

• Slovenia

• Spain

• Sweden

• Switzerland

• United Kingdom

The Sheena Law Firm is ready to assist you in obtaining that visa for your stay in the United States. Contact The Sheena Law Firm today to discuss your visa.