Visitor, business, and religious worker visas
B-1 business visitor
For short business trips: meetings, negotiations, conferences, consultations. A B-1 visitor may not be employed by a U.S. company or paid from a U.S. source.
B-2 visitor
For tourism, visiting family, and medical treatment. Medical cases require additional documentation about the treatment and how it will be paid for.
For both categories, the core issue at the interview is nonimmigrant intent. The applicant must satisfy the officer that they intend to return home. Officers may presume otherwise, and the burden is on the applicant to overcome it with evidence of ties: employment, property, family, obligations.
R-1 religious worker
For ministers and people working in a religious vocation or occupation, sponsored by a qualifying nonprofit religious organization in the United States. The organization files, and the requirements include that the worker has been a member of the denomination for a period before filing.
Overstaying
Entering lawfully and staying past your authorized period creates unlawful presence, which carries consequences separate from the overstay itself, including bars on returning if you then leave. If you are already past your date, get advice before deciding what to do, and particularly before leaving the country.
Talk with us about your situation
Immigration cases turn on details that are hard to assess on your own. A consultation will help you understand what you need to do to protect your rights.
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The information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Immigration law changes frequently, and how it applies depends on the specific facts of your case. Reading this page does not create an attorney-client relationship.