US Business Visa | Cost, Eligibility, Requirement, Processing Time, How to Apply

The United States is a global Hub for business, entrepreneurship, and innovation and New York for instance serves as the center of the United Nations. International Businessmen and women troops into the US every year to explore new business opportunities, attend conferences or establish their presence in the United States market. The visitor Business visas allow its holder to go to the US for short-term visits for a maximum of six months. There are also two types of visitor visas in the B category namely the B1 visa which Allows you to enter the US to do business with a company within the US and the B2 visa which Allows you to enter the US with the purpose of tourism, pleasure, or visit to friends and family.

Eligibility

Citizens from 42 countries who have a weaver are allowed to the US a visa otherwise visitors will need a US visa to visit or do business in the US. The 42 countries are listed on the US Department of State Site.
B-1 Visa: Visitors must prove that they are entering the US for business purposes, such as attending meetings or conferences and show evidence of requisite funds that will sustain them in the course of their stay. Also, applicant on a business trip to the US will get their visa if they show evidence of doing any of the list below in the US:

Consulting with business associates
Traveling for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or a conference on specific dates
Settling an estate
Negotiating a contract
Participating in short-term training
Transiting through the United States: certain persons may transit the United States with a B-1 visa
Deadheading: certain air crewmen may enter the United States as deadhead crew with a B-1 visa

Requirements

Applicants for a US business visa will need the following documents:

Your valid passport. You must possess a passport which is six months valid beyond your planned stay in the US.
A photograph that complies with the requirements and guidelines
Form DS-160 confirmation page and code.
Receipt of paid visa fees.
Interview confirmation page.
A letter which describes the purpose of your trip.
Proof of financial means. Financial or bank statements to prove you have the finances to stay in the US of at least $266 for each day of your planned stay.
Ties to your home country. Family, job contract, lease, or property deed, which proves you will return.
Details of your social media accounts.A list of the social media that you use, and the name
of your account in each.
A letter from the company detailing the purpose of the trip and your job position.
If you have visited the US before: documents relevant to your prior visits.

How to Apply for a US Business Visa

To apply for a Visa applicant will need to take the following steps note that these steps apply to first-time applicants and those applying to renew their visa:

Step One: Complete the online DS-160 and print the confirmation page for each person applying for a visa, regardless of age. Answer the questions to the best of your ability; we cannot assist you in completing the form. Review the information on the Department of State’s website for additional tips, and information on photo specifications.
Step Two: Go to https://ais.usvisa-info.com/en-gb to pay the MRV application fee and schedule an interview, or obtain information on applying for the visa by courier. Click on “Apply” if you are a first-time user or “Continue” if you already have an account.

Cost of Applying for a US Business Visa

The information available on the US Department of State listed that starting May 30, 2023, the cost of a B1/B2 visa application has increased to $185 from the previous price of $160.

Processing Time

After submitting your application, you will need to wait for processing. Processing time for a business visa to the US on the B1 visa application category is about 2-4 weeks