EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT BUSINESS VISA
What is Business Visa?
Government authorities issue business visa to foreigners for work related activities in India.
Common activities performed on a business visa
- Attend business events/conferences
- Find new business opportunities and ventures.
- Some countries permit installation of products (hardware and machinery) under a world business visa, however, note that business visa involve solely business provision and relations, not actual labour or services.
Documents Needed for Business Visa
While every country has different requirements, there are certain documents that should be mandatorily possessed by every foreigner irrespective of the country whose visa he/she is seeking.
These include:
- A valid passport
- Travel itinerary as well as accommodation and flight details
- Business and skill credentials
- Academic credentials
- Evidence supporting that the foreigner will return to his/her home country after fulfilling business obligations
- Evidence of adequate monetary resources
- Medical examination and proof of insurance
- Filled application form with prescribed fee.
Procedure for Obtaining Business Visa
- Get photograph for Business Visa
- Fill business visa application Form
- Pay business visa application Fee
- Book business visa interview appointment
- Business visa fingerprinting
- Go through business visa interview process
Types of U.S. Business Visa
- B1: Short term business visa not allowed to sign contracts or perform work for hire; Temporary, up to 6 months.
- B2: Short term Tourist visa; Temporary, up to 6 months
- E-1: Treaty trader visa. Good for setting up a business that will trade with the visa-holder’s home country. Must be with a country with an appropriate treaty with the US; Temporary, can be renewed until business is no longer in operation.
- E-2: Treaty investor visa. Allows a citizen of a treaty country to come to the US to start a business; Temporary, can be renewed until business is no longer in operation.
- EB-5: Investor Green Card program. Requires an investment of $500k to $1MM, must hire at least 10 US residents within 2 years and survive more than 5 years; Leads to permanent residence after probation period.
- L-1: Intercompany transfer visa. Allows holder to transfer from foreign company to a US company subject to restrictions; One year, with up to 3 extensions.
- H-1B: Specialized labour visa; Three year, extendable.
- O-1: Extraordinary Ability visa; Up to three years, extendable.
- TN: NAFTA temporary work visa; Up to three years, extendable.
Validity of Business Visa
The validity of a business visa will vary from 6 months to ten years. People who obtain to ascertain a business in India could also be eligible for a business visa that is sometimes issued with an extended validity amount.
