What is the difference between a B1 Visa and a B2 Visa?

The B1 and B2 are the most common visas for foreign nationals to apply for to visit the US, as they are short-term, non-immigrant visas. Though both are from the same category, there are slight differences between them, but they serve the same purposes, more or less.   

 

The US visas are mostly differentiated using letters of the alphabet for easy identification. The Category B visa is a short-term non-immigrant visa issued to foreign nationals to stay in the country for 180 days per visit and is valid for up to 10 years. There are two types of B visas: B1 and B2 visa.

 

Factors that differentiate between B1 and B2 visa

Both visas serve the same purposes for foreign nationals to enter the country, with slight differences:

Activities	B1 visa	B2 visa
Purpose	Business consultations, Attending conferences or seminars, Settling an estate, Contract negotiations, Professional examination and licensing	Tourism, Visiting friends or family, Medical treatment, Social events, Participation in events or contests, Short courses of study
Permission	Allows participation in conferences and negotiation	Permits activities like sightseeing, visiting family, and medical emergencies
Eligibility criteria	Visiting for business purposes, strong ties to your home country, Proof of funds, no intention to work, good health condition, no criminal record	Visiting for tourism or medical purposes, strong ties to your home country, Proof of funds, no intention to work, good health condition, no criminal record
Dependents	Cannot bring dependants	Cannot bring dependants
Change Status	Applicants can change their status from B visas to other visas.	Applicants can change their status from B visas to other visas.
Stay	180 days per visit with validity up to 10 years	180 days per visit with validity up to 10 years

 

*Want to apply for B1/B2 visa? Talk to Y-Axis for complete guidance.

 

Step-by-step process to apply for the B1/B2 visa

Below are the step by step processes to apply for the B1/B2 visa:

Step 1: Fill out the visa application form

Step 2: Schedule an interview

Step 3: Submit all the documents

Step 4: Wait for the visa

Step 6: Once approved, visit the US

 

*Want assistance for U.S Immigration? Talk to Y-Axis, the world’s No. 1 overseas immigration consultancy for end-to-end support.