B-1/B-2 Visas

There are two types of B visas:

1. B-1 visa: is a visa that is granted to persons who are temporarily visiting the US to transact business.
2. B-2 visa is granted to persons who are visiting the US temporarily for pleasure.

These applications are to be made at a US Consulate on the prescribed form (Form DS156). These forms are available at the Consulate.

After the application is submitted along with all supporting documents, the applicant will have to appear for a personal interview at the consulate (if s/he is visiting the US for the first time) and generally, the visa will be granted on the same day. If the applicant plans to visit Canada and come back to the US again, he should opt for a multiple entry visa. Usually once visa is issued the person has to enter the US within a time span of three months and the duration of stay will be determined by the immigration officer in the US upon landing and the same will be stamped on the passport. This is usually 30 to 90 days for B-1 Visa and six months for B-2 visa.

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