Most
individuals who wish to make short
visits to the United States for business
or pleasure need to apply for a B-1/B-2
visitor's visa. Although
no formal application to U.S. Citizenship
and Immigration Services is necessary
to obtain a visitor's visa,
applicants must effectively present
their purpose for the visit and proof
that the visit will be merely temporary
through a visa application appointment
at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
B-1 Visitor for Business/B-2 Visitor
for Pleasure
The most common visa categories
are the B-1 Visitor for Business
and the B-2 Visitor for Pleasure.
Depending on each country's
reciprocity schedule, these visas
may be granted for up to ten years
although periods of admission to
the U.S. are normally authorized
for stays of only six months for
tourists. An extension
may be granted for an additional
six-month period. Persons holding
visitor visas must be careful
not to confuse the validity of the
visa with the authorized period of
stay granted upon admission.
Persons who overstay their authorized
admission automatically invalidates
the visa even if the overstay is
for one day. B-1
business visitors are usually admitted
for the period required to conduct
their business, usually 1–2
months. Visitors are generally
prohibited from working in the United
States.
Visa Waiver Program
The visa waiver program permits business
or pleasure visits for three months
without having to apply for a visa.
This option is now available to 26
countries.
Citizens of certain countries with
very low overall denial rates for
visitor's visas are eligible
to participate in the Visa Waiver
Program. Visa Waiver Program
visitors are permitted to travel
to the United States for short periods
of stay without a visa. However,
individuals who have previously committed
U.S. immigration violations may need
to apply for a visitor’s visa
notwithstanding the Visa Waiver Program
status of their home country.
The program has a number of restrictions.
Persons who enter on the visa waiver
may not apply for an extension of
stay, nor can they change status
to other nonimmigrant categories
in the U.S. Rather, they must leave
and obtain a new visa abroad.
UPDATE: Beginning on January
12, 2009, all individuals traveling
to the United States under the Visa
Waiver Program will need to register
at least three days before departure
with the Electronic System for Travel
Authorization (ESTA) (more
information).
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