Visa Waiver Program Citizens of certain countries need neither a B-1 or B-2 visa to come into the United States for business or pleasure. These countries include most European countries, Canada, and Australia. Visitors under the Visa Waiver Program can stay in the United States for up to 90 days, and cannot change your immigrant status while you are visiting. The complete list of countries is: Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. However, these people must have a return ticket and cannot change their visa status once they enter the Country. B1 Visa for business B-1 Visas are for people coming into the United States for business reasons, but are not employees of a U.S. company. To get a B-1 Visa, you only need give evidence for the purpose of the trip, that you have enough personal resources to support yourself during your stay, and that you have residence abroad that you have no abandoned. B-2 Visas B-2 Visas are for visitors coming into the United States for reasons other than work or study, for instance for vacation, to get a medical procedure done, or to go to a funeral. Again, you have to prove you have residence abroad that you have not abandoned, and if you are from a developing country, this might be difficult if a consular officer believe you are coming into the United States to work. F-1 Visas F-1 Visas are for students going to a college or university accredited by the INS. To get a student visa, you have to qualify to enter the college or university, and, in many cases, pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Once you enter the school, you must prove that you have enough resources to avoid working illegally in the United States. F-1 Students, however, can work in on-campus jobs, college internships or co-ops, or in positions required to complete a degree, so long as you don’t work more than 20 hours per week. In limited circumstances, you can also work if you have severe economic hardship. F-2 Visas F-2 Visas are for spouses or dependent children of F-1 students. F-2 status also requires showing INS proof of substantial resources, so as to not have to work illegally in the United States. K-Visas U.S. Citizens can also bring their fiancés or spouses to the United States under a K Visa for up to 90 days. The citizen must prove he or she met his or her fiancé two years prior to applying for the K-1 Visa and that the fiancé has the resources to support his or herself during the stay. The fiancé must prove to INS that he or she will not be a public charge and that the relationship is legitimate. |
