Visa Waiver Visitors: No Visa Needed

Nationals of the countries listed below may enter without visas - simply by presenting their passports. They are admitted for up to 90 days, and for business or tourist purposes only -- no exceptions. For the scope of business or tourist purposes, see below.

They must leave when that time expires. They may not extend their stay or change status, unless they are immediate relatives of a U.S. citizen.

U.K., Japan, France, Switzerland, West Germany, Sweden, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Austria, Finland, Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Ireland, Iceland, Luxembourg, San Marino, Andorra, Monaco, Liechtenstein, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei.

Business Visitors (B-1) Visa

Individuals coming to the United States to attend business conferences, trade shows and the like, to take orders and negotiate sales with existing customers or to perform warranty work based on a service contract of their foreign employer may enter the United States for a temporary period of time as a business visitor. This is for people not coming from Visa Waiver countries or who need more than 90 day stays in the U.S.

A Business visitor must be coming to the United States temporarily to conduct business for a foreign employer. The business visitor must not participate in gainful employment in the United States and the business visitor must remain on the payroll of the foreign employer for the duration of nonimmigrant stay.

The B-1 nonimmigrant visa is issued directly by the U.S. Consulate, without INS involvement. The applicant must demonstrate several criteria to the consular officer, most importantly that they will return to their native land when their U.S. visit ends. Special provisions are in effect for Canadian and Mexican business visitors as a result of the North America Free Trade Agreement.

Business visitors are granted entry into the United States by INS for periods of time to coincide with the amount of time needed to complete their business purpose. This period of time rarely exceeds 6 months. Extensions of stay may be granted by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (“BCIS”), when necessary, in increments of 6 months.

Tourists Visitors (B-2) Visa

Same as B-1 but for non-business personal matters such as tourism, medical treatment, visit friends, etc.