B-1/B-2 visitor (not a work visa)

B-1/B-2 is intended for short business or tourism and does not authorize regular employment. Typical B-1 activities may include meetings, interviews, conferences, or contract negotiations — without productive work.

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Rules Checklist Entry questions How to apply Visa services FAQ

The key rule (read this first)

B-1/B-2 is not a work visa.
You can visit for short business (B-1) or tourism/family visits (B-2). You cannot do paid, productive work for a U.S. employer.

Allowed vs not allowed (simple table)

Typically allowed (B-1/B-2) Not allowed (employment)
Tourism, visiting friends/family (B-2) Paid, productive work for a U.S. employer
Meetings, interviews, conferences (B-1) Routine labor or ongoing job duties in the U.S.
Contract negotiations, short business visits (B-1) “Trial shifts” or “training” that is actually productive work

Practical travel checklist

Carry documents that match your stated purpose. Keep them consistent and easy to show.

  • Itinerary: travel dates, cities, hotel/host details, return plan.
  • Purpose proof: conference registration, meeting invitation, interview confirmation, or tourism plan.
  • Proof of funds: enough to cover the trip (method depends on your situation).
  • Evidence of ties: job/education, lease, family, or commitments showing you plan to return.
  • Contact details: organizer/company contact and address.

Common entry questions (prepare short answers)

  • Why are you visiting, and for how long?
  • Where will you stay, and who will pay?
  • What will you do each day (tourism / meetings / event schedule)?
  • When do you return, and what do you do back home?

How to apply (high-level steps)

  1. Choose the correct purpose (business vs tourism) and keep it consistent.
  2. Prepare your DS-160 details carefully (names, dates, travel history).
  3. Schedule the interview/biometrics where applicable.
  4. Bring your checklist documents and be consistent.

Official references

Confirm requirements on official sites: U.S. Department of State — Visitor Visa and USCIS.

U.S. visa services by MaViAl Sp. z o.o. (non-legal administrative support)

MaViAl provides paid, non-legal administrative support for U.S. visa applications: eligibility checks, document organization, DS-160 guidance, scheduling assistance, and interview preparation. No legal advice is provided.

Candidate requirements

Average pricing (service fees — government fees excluded)

Service What’s included Average price (USD)
Eligibility check Free High-level screening of purpose, timeline, and basic documents $0
Standard consultation (30 min) Live Q&A, checklist, next steps $49
Document review & DS-160 guidance Form walkthrough, completeness check, feedback $149
Application prep & scheduling Preparation support, appointment strategy, reminders $299
Full-service package (nonimmigrant) End-to-end coordination incl. interview preparation from $699

Note: Government fees (e.g., MRV / USCIS fees where applicable) are separate and paid directly to authorities.

Frequently asked questions

Can I work in the US on B-1/B-2?

No. B-1/B-2 does not authorize regular employment. It is for short business or tourism visits.

Can I attend interviews or conferences on B-1/B-2?

Often yes, as long as you are not doing paid, productive work. Bring documents matching your purpose.

Does B-1/B-2 use visa sponsorship?

No. Sponsorship is for work categories; B-1/B-2 is a visitor category.

What documents are most important to carry?

Itinerary, proof of purpose (event/meeting/interview), proof of funds, ties to home country, return plans.

Does MaViAl provide U.S. visa services?

Yes—non-legal administrative support (DS-160 guidance, scheduling, interview preparation).

How much does it cost on average?

$49 consultation, $149 document review & DS-160 guidance, $299 application prep & scheduling, full service from $699 (government fees excluded).