Through B1 and B2 visas, the United States allows international visitors to visit within the country's borders. A B2 visa holder has permission to visit the United States for recreational breaks, medical health services, or simply at events. Moreover, visitors traveling to the United States with a B1 visa are allowed to participate in various business meetings and negotiations of contracts. The B1 and B2 visas serve separate purposes but often grant a single combined B1/B2 visa to let visitors conduct business and leisure activities in the United States.
Differences between B1 and B2 visa
Travellers may visit the United States through B1 and B2 visas for either business activities or tourism. The following are the top differences between b1 and b2 visas:
1. Purpose of the visa: The B1 visa grants entry for business tasks among visitors who want to enter the United States. The B1 visa permits visitors to join meetings while also allowing them to attend conferences, negotiate contracts and participate in workplace training events. Also, the B1 visa is the entry visa that U.S. partners need to explore business opportunities. People need a B2 visa in order to see sights and get medical treatment in the United States.
2. Visa duration and stay: Both visas typically allow one to stay in the United States for a period of six months, though it is up to the judgment of the U.S. immigration officer upon arrival. For the B1, this period would depend on the business activity that might be extended. A B2 visa is supposed to leave the U.S. once the visit for tourism or medical treatment ends. It may be easier to extend a B1 visa for a business-related activity.
3. Employment restrictions: With a B1 visa, even though you cannot work in the United States during your stay, you can do business-related activities, including attending meetings on work-related subjects. Work itself or the establishment of business in the United States is not allowed with the B1 visa. Employment is also banned for B2 visa holders. Moreover, with a B2 visa, nobody can work and get paid while staying in the U.S.
4. visa application: Although the processes for B1 and B2 are similar, there are certain differences in documentation and intent. In the case of the B1 visa, applicants must show their business-related activities, an invitation to attend a conference or any conference purposes, or a letter from the employer stating the purpose. You should also show proof that you have a business background and intend to return home after completing your business dealings.
5. Visa extensions and changes: B1 and B2 visas vary if one intends to extend their stay in the U.S. For the B1 visa, an extension is possible once one can show that the business activities they came for require more time. However, business visa extensions tend to be subject to higher scrutiny because the U.S. government wants to ensure that the stay is aimed at honesty due to business and without unauthorised employment.
Final words
To sum up, these visas are issued to persons who travel in the U.S. for business or tourism purposes. These visas allow temporary stays for specific purposes and require proper documentation. Atlys makes this process easy by providing reliable visa services for guidance, support, and speedy processing to ensure the applicant's seamless experience. Therefore, Atlys makes your visa journey seamless.