Visitor and Tourists visas: B-1 visa and B-2 visa, ESTA

What are the B-1 and B-2 Visas?

The B-1 and B-2 visitor visas are part of the non-immigrant visa category. These type of visas are granted to citizens of foreign countries to allow them the opportunity of entering the United States for a temporary period of time for various purposes, including: business, tourism, medical treatment or pleasure.  Although, frequently, B-1 and B-2 visas are combined in one visa category and referred to as a “visitor visa”, each of them vary in the type of activity that they allow you to engage in, once you are in the United States. One aspect, they both have in common is that B-1 and B-2 visas do not permit employment, academic study or permanent residence in the United States. Below, I will list some of the major purposes that each of these visas are legally valid, and used for.

B-1 visa is for the following activities:

• consulting with business colleagues
• attending business, educational, scientific or professional conference
• settling an estate
• negotiating a contract

B-2 visa is for the following activities:

• tourism
• vacation
• medical treatment
• visiting relatives or friends
• participation in social events
• participation in recreational sports, musical events or contests as long as such participation is not paid
• enrollment in short and nonacademic studies