The American Business Visa for your Business Trip
Applying for an American Business visa is necessary if you are travelling on vacation for business.
Generally, you should be able to apply for the necessary American business visa online/ at the nearest American consulate in the country of your residence for a stay in United States of up to 3 months.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of American Business Visa
Before applying for a business visa for United States, it is advised you check whether you can apply for the American business visa.
A brief summary of the most important requirements and conditions when getting the business visa for United States:
- You do not plan to carry out voluntary job that would otherwise be undertaken by a paid worker in United States.
- You do not intend to enter into an employment relationship in United States.
- You do not plan to give services to American organisations (this is permitted with a American work visa or business visa).
- You do not intend to supply or offer services or products to consumers in United States.
- You and your relative are not in debt to the United States Government.
- You do not present a risk to the health or safety and security of residents of United States.
- You have the ability to demonstrate that you have sufficient funds to pay for your visit and return from United States.
Do I need an American business visa?
It relies on your citizenship and also the kind of travel document you are using to take a trip to United States.Please go here to verify if you require an American visa.
Who exactly can get an American business visa?
Any person wanting to go on holiday to United States can apply for an American business visa.
There are many kinds of visa for United States which you can use as a traveller to United States. If you are unsure which sort of American business visa you need to apply, please get in touch with the local American visa office to get further clarification as purpose of this page is to give you general guide when getting American business visa.
What kind of American visa do I require?
This depends on three factors:
- The citizenship according to your passport – If the citizenship according to the passport is from a country that is on visa free travel to United States or eligible to obtain a visa on arrival in United States, then you may not require to apply for an American business visa prior to departure from your home country. Please click here to check if you need an American visa.
- The duration of your visit in United States – If you wish to stay in United States for a shorter duration less than ninety days, then you can get the American business visa. If you wish to stay much longer, then get in touch with the local American visa office to obtain the suitable visa for your trip.
- The activities you want to perform in United States – If your sole reason of taking a trip is for holiday, then you can make an application for all types of American business visas mentioned on this page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Obtain American Business Visa
- Business visa application for United States – Completed American visa Form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport must be valid for a minimum of six months before entering United States and three months after leaving United States. It needs to have at least two spare visa pages and can not be older than 10 years.
- Passport type photo – Photo needs to be no older than six months and ought to be 35 x 40mm in size.
- Previous passport – Provide a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous American visas information if you had any.
- Flight tickets to United States – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some instances the American visa office might request prepaid flight tickets to United States.
- Travel insurance coverage – Proof of travel insurance with a minimum cover set by the American embassy provided with the Certification of Insurance policy and the table of benefits. The travel insurance should cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency should be issued by an insurer. If you are considering using your credit card travel insurance for your travel to United States, please call American embassy for more details and travel insurance requirements for the American visa.
- Original financial institution declarations – Original bank statements for the last 3 months revealing enough funds to cover your trip in United States. If statements are printed online after that it needs to be Confirmed (stamped) by the bank officials.
- Hotel Reservations in United States – Copy of confirmed hotel reservations including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, time-span of stay. In most conditions, only bookings which are partially or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Employment letter – This letter needs to be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, verifying your ongoing employment, the status of employment, regular monthly salary and annual leave. Likewise, please supply your three newest pay slips. If you are self-employed: supply certified copies of company registration, tax return.
- For students. Please give the following:
- Proof of current student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming ongoing enrolment, verifying the payment of tuition fees or any kind of scholarships, and confirming term break.
- Insurance from Organisation/University – Supply a letter from the University stating the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you will be covered by the insurance policy for the entire journey together with the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
In general, visa applications for American visa must be submitted for a maximum of 6 months, and no later than 15 days, prior to the trip.