What is a B1 Visa: Application Process, Fees, Eligibility & Documents Required

• Written by Nidhi Goyal

  Reviewed by Akhil Pillai

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Whether you are sealing a deal in Silicon Valley or attending a conference in New York, you first need a B-1 visa. 

The United States of America is the hub for global trade and commerce, attracting many business travellers every year. India, the world’s fifth-largest economy, contributes significantly to the number of business travellers to the USA.  

This article will explain what a B-1 visa is for the USA and the procedure to apply for it.

What is a B-1 visa?

A B-1 visa is a temporary US non-immigrant visa for individuals visiting the United States for business purposes, such as consulting with business associates, attending professional, educational, scientific, or business conventions, or participating in short-term training

Also Read: What is an HB-1 visa?

Who is Eligible for a B-1 Visa?

Now that the meaning and purpose of the B-1 visa are clearly understood, you must know the requisite criteria to get eligible for a B-1 visa:

• Visits to the United States must be temporary or limited. 
• Justify that the purpose of your visit to the US is a ‘legitimate business trip’.
• You must have adequate financial standing to support the cost of your trip and stay in the United States.
• Your permanent residence must be outside the United States, preferably in your home country, which you are not planning to leave anyway. Besides, you must have a concrete association with your home country, such as your employment. This ensures that your return is fixed once the purpose of the visit is fulfilled.
• If you are only legally allowed to enter the United States of America.

Which Business Activities are Allowed with a B-1 Visa in the USA?

A B-1 Visa authorises the business visitor to do the following business activities in the USA:

• Organise business meetings and conferences.
• Execute some key business decisions as a board member of a U.S.-based corporation, such as the purchase of supplies or raw materials.
• Participate in the recruitment process for a US corporation.
• Perform autonomous research by surveying potential markets with a business motive.
• Creation of an artwork, unless the creative artist is under any contract with a U.S. based employer. Such a visitor bearing the B-1 visa cannot sell his/her artwork in the U.S.
• Represent a foreign exhibitor at an international trade fair, unless the visitor's employment is inside the United States.

Also Read: Check Visa Status with Passport Number

Which Activities are Prohibited with a B-1 Visa in the USA?

A B-1 Visa prohibits the business visitor from doing the following types of activities in the USA:

• Involved in any paid or unpaid job in the U.S., some exceptional jobs are temporary in nature and are allowed with a B-1 visa in the USA, such as undertaking research, litigating a legal suit, participating in seminars and workshops or picking orders from the U.S. as a merchant.
• Pursue any degree that requires a study visa.
• Perform at a concert as a paid artist.
• Land in the U.S. as a ship or flight crew member.
• Indulge in an information media platform as a journalist.
• Lead a U.S.-based corporation as an executive. 
• Set up a new branch, franchise, or affiliate of any foreign employer.
• Performing emergency response services in the USA.
• Obtaining U.S. citizenship for your ward born in the USA.

How to Apply for a B-1 Visa USA from India?

The entities sponsoring the business trip for their employees have to file the application for the B-1 visa on their behalf. The application will be filed in Form DS-160, which will be processed and approved by the US Customs & Border Protection (CBP).

Here are the steps to apply for Form DS-160:

• Go to the official US Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs website.

 Navigate to U.S. Visas > Tourism & Visit > Visitor Visa.

• Start your visa application.

 Click the DS-160 link under "Complete the Online Visa Application."

• Select your location.

 On the next page, choose "INDIA, NEW DELHI" from the list. The page will reload.

• Begin the application.

 Enter the captcha code and click "Start an Application."

• Agree to the terms.

 Please check the "I Agree" box under the legal notice, answer the security question, and click "Continue."

• Fill out your information:

1. Personal details
2. Nationality
3. Travel information
4. Choose Visa Type: B1/B2 (Business & Tourism)
5. Provide your intended stay duration, arrival date, U.S. address, and sponsor details.

• Add travel companions (if any).

 Indicate if you're travelling with someone, then continue.

• Previous visa info.

 Mention if you've ever applied for or visited the U.S. before.

• Contact information.

 Enter your current address, phone number, and email.

• Passport details.

 Provide your passport number, issue date, and place of issue.

• Final step.

 Enter contact details in the U.S., then pay the application fee.

How Much Is the B-1 Visa Fee for the USA From India? 

The application for filing the B-1 visa for the USA from India is US$ 185. This is the increased fee that has been effective from 17th June 2023. 

However, if a sponsor is filing a petition-based application on the applicant’s behalf, the applicant has to pay US$205 as the B-1 visa fee. There is absolutely no visa issuance fee for Indian business visitors.

After you pay your B-1 visa fee, the next important step is the visa interview, which takes place at the US Embassy. Due to the Embassy’s workload, you are advised to schedule your interview well in advance. This will avoid huge delays in the interview process. Soon after scheduling your interview, you must prepare all your documents for the B-1 Visa.

 Documents Required for the B-1 Visa

Here is the complete checklist for the B-1 visa documents:

• Confirmation page of the filed Form DS-160 with the ARN.
• Interview Confirmation 
• Valid passport. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your planned US stay.
• A letter describing the purpose of your trip.
• Details of your social media accounts.
• Your passport-size photo meets US Visa photo requirements.
• Bank statements substantiating your financial ability to stay in the US.
• Evidence of your relations in your home country e.g. family, employment, rent agreement or property deed, confirming your return.
• Authoritative criminal records clarify  that you do not have legal cases against you.
• Valid documents of your prior US visits (if any).
• An appointment letter from your employer, along with payslips for the last 3 months.

What is the Validity of a B-1 Visa?

The validity of a B-1 Visa for Indian business visitors is 10 years. A business visitor may enter the US multiple times, and the maximum stay in the US on each entry is six months. 

With that, it’s time to fly to the US for a plethora of business opportunities. But wait!

Is your trip secured from unforeseen circumstances?

Secure Your US Business Trip with Care Travel Insurance

Besides the immigrant visa, there is another essential preparation you must not miss out on. As we all know, medical expenses are way more expensive in a foreign land; you must not ignore buying a travel insurance plan. We are happy to introduce our international travel insurance plan from Care Health Insurance, which covers you during a travel emergency, from loss of important documents to a medical emergency abroad. So, check our travel plan and secure your upcoming international trip to the USA. 

Disclaimer: Plan features, benefits, coverage, and claims underwriting are subject to policy terms and conditions. Kindly refer to the brochure, sales prospectus, and policy documents carefully.