DOS Creates Worldwide Business Visa Center
Posted Jul 29, 2005
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The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has created a Worldwide Business Visa Center to help U.S. businesses and organizations understand the process for obtaining a B-1 visitor visa for current or prospective business travelers. The Business Visa Center will work with U.S. companies, and, if necessary, consular officers to ensure effective communication.
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Background on B-1 Visas
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B-1 visitors, unlike B-2 visitors for pleasure, are visiting for business purposes. B-1 visitors are generally entering the United States to attend conferences, conventions, or business meetings. There are, however, other business-related activities that the B-1 visitor may perform. More information on activities permitted while on a B-1 is available in our MurthyDotCom article, What Activities are Appropriate for B-1s? A key component is that the U.S. business or organization should not pay the B-1 visitor in the U.S.
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What Work will the Worldwide Business Visa Center Perform?
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The Business Visa Center will explain to U.S. businesses the visa process required for employees or current and prospective business clients and partners invited to the United States. U.S. companies will be provided with information about the application process for visas for those seeking to travel to the U.S. for business purposes. The Business Visa Center will work with both the companies and the consular officers, when needed, to communicate information effectively between U.S. businesses and the embassies and consulates worldwide.
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What Restrictions does the Business Visa Center Have?
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The DOS has indicated that the Business Visa Center will not handle inquiries from overseas companies. These inquiries are handled by the consulates. If the B-1 applicant has a specific question about qualifying for the B-1 visa, that question should also be directed to the appropriate consulate. Questions about temporary worker visas are handled through attorney inquiries made to the DOS or through the consulates. The Business Visa Center also does not provide invitation letters, a list of conferences to be held in the United States, or information on tourism. A list of conferences is available from the DOS Bureau of Consular Affairs.
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How to Obtain Updated Information for Business Visas?
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The DOS provides information for both businesses and the general public, in the form of up-to-date wait times for interviews and processing times on most embassy websites and on the DOS WebSite. This allows business travelers to better prepare for their visa interviews and plan their trips.
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The Business Visa Center can be reached via eMail at BusinessVisa@state.gov.
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Conclusion

The purpose of the Business Visa Center is to help U.S. businesses bring in people who may serve to improve international business travel, increase trade and commerce for the U.S., and generally improve the U.S. economy. There have been many concerns about the delays and denials of B-1 visas at U.S. consulates in a post-9/11 environment. We trust that the creation of the Worldwide Business Visa Center, sensitive to the business concerns of U.S. companies wishing to do business with other countries, will invigorate our economy and that the Center will prove to be a worthwhile investment for the United States in the long run.