Nonimmigrant Visas
Visiting the United States for Business or Pleasure (B1/B2)
The "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the United States temporarily for business (B-1) or for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). For example, if the purpose for your planned travel is to consult with business associates, travel for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or conference on specific dates, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract, then you would apply for a visitor visa. If the purpose of your planned travel is recreational in nature, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment, and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature, then you would also apply for a visitor visa.
What are the basic requirements for a visitor visa?
An applicant for most non-immigrant visas must convince the consular officer that he/she truly intends to return to Hong Kong/Macau after a temporary stay in the U.S. Each applicant must keep in mind that the interview will focus on his or her personal situation (or circumstances) and not on the documents presented.
What documents do I need to provide?
It is impossible to specify the exact documents you should bring since each applicant's circumstances vary greatly. Supporting documents most often presented are: personal financial documents including inland revenue receipt, deeds to property owned or property tax-rate demands, recent current account statements and bank books. If you are applying for a tourist visa, please bring a leave letter from your employer or school principal. If you are applying for a business visa: a letter of sponsorship from firm; correspondence concerning proposed trip; business profits tax statement; recent current account statements of the firm; etc.
How long may I stay in the United States?
The validity period shown on a non-immigrant visa relates only to the period during which it may be used to enter the United States. It does not indicate the length of time you may spend in the United States. The period for which you are authorized to remain in the United States is determined by Department of Homeland Security authorities at the port of entry. A nonimmigrant who remains in the United States beyond the period for which he/she has been granted permission to stay may become subject to deportation.
I am a domestic helper. May I accompany my employer to the United States?
Under certain limited circumstances, a B-1 visa may be issued to a personal servant accompanying or following to join the employer on a temporary visit to the United States. Click here for detailed requirements and procedures.
How do I "transfer" my valid visa into my new passport?
If you have a valid visa for travel to the United States in a travel document that has expired or will expire within the next six months, you may still present it to enter the United States. You do not need another visa in a new travel document. However, you will also have to present a valid travel document, valid for at least six months beyond your expected departure from the United States, when entering the country. Thus, you should carry two travel documents - one that is valid and the other with a valid visitor visa - when you travel to the United States. The two travel documents should be of the same nationality. (For this purpose, we consider BNO passports and HKSAR passports to be the same.) Those travelers who find it inconvenient to travel with two passports may apply to have a visitor visa issued into the new, valid passport. Please note that this will be a new application and therefore an application fee must be paid. The visa in the old passport will be cancelled. There is no provision in U.S. visa regulations for transfer of visa.
How do I "extend" my visa?
You may not extend a visa. You must make a new application. Click here for instruction on how to apply. Please be sure to bring along the passport that shows you had been issued a previous U.S. visa.
Can I travel with the "indefinite" visa that was previously issued to me?
The U.S. government no longer issues indefinite visas. All indefinite visas automatically became void March 31, 2004.
Do I need a visa to go to Guam?
The U.S. Guam Visa Waiver Program allows travelers from certain countries, including those holding the British National Overseas Passport, to apply for visa-free entry to Guam for periods of less than 15 days for business or holiday travel. Persons holding Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passports or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Document of Identity for Visa Purposes are not eligible for this program. Application forms are available at the port of entry or from a participating airline. Visitors must have a round-trip or onward ticket to a foreign destination. Onward travel to another U.S. destination is not permitted. Travelers are not eligible to study, work, or change their visa status after they enter Guam, or extend their stay beyond the 15-day limit. Travelers with criminal convictions and other ineligibilities must apply for visas.
Click here to see list of countries whose citizens are eligible to use the Guam Visa Waiver Program.
Do I need a visa to travel to the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands (Saipan)?
If you are a British National Overseas or Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holder, you may be allowed to enter the CNMI for a period of thirty (30) days by presenting acceptable proof of such status and a passport valid for sixty (60) days beyond the date of departure. People's Republic of China and Macau passport holders must apply for a Visitor Entry Permit. Click here for more information.
For further information on B1/B2 visas, click here.
Click here to go back to the application instructions.
Last modified: May 5, 2008
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