Do you need to enter the U.S. for reasons of business? Will this visit be for a short period of time? If this is the case, you may need to apply for a Visitor for Business Visa.
A B-1 visa allows a person to visit the U.S. for the purposes of participating in business activities which may include,
- Consulting with business associates;
- Conducting negotiations;
- Estate transactions;
- Attending conferences or conventions;
- Training; and
- Conducting research.
It is important to differentiate a Business Visitor Visa and a Work Visa. As the list above suggests, the reasons for entering the U.S. as a Business Visitor is usually short-term. You will only be permitted to stay for, generally, a period of six months. An extension may be granted if you have good reasons for extending your stay. Some of the work that you cannot do in the U.S. on a Visitor on a Business Visa is,
- Enter the US Labor Market
- Run a business
Essentially, anything that involves work that will result in paid wages, unless the wage comes from a source outside of the U.S., is not permitted.
There are some countries that may not require you to have a Work Visa as part of the Visa Waiver Pilot Program. These counties include, but are not limited to,
- Australia
- Belgium
- Denmark
- France
- Italy
- Spain
- United Kingdom
In order to have your visa waived, you will have to hold a return or onward ticket to a country other than Canada through a participating travel airline. It is important to note that, if you are entering through the waived program, you must still meet the requirements of the B-1 as any other person would.
If you require further information regarding the B-1 visa or how to work in the U.S., at Akrami & Associates, one of our legal representatives may be of assistance to you. Call today to see how we can help.