Visiting the U.S. for Business, Pleasure, or Medical Treatment

A little-known use of the business visitor visa allows people to come to the U.S. to do unpaid work for a charity or religious organization.

Planning to come to the U.S. short-term for business purposes? A B-1 visa might be the one you need.

Visitor visas can be used not only be tourists, but by people seeking medical treatment, accompanying other visa holders to the U.S., and more--if you meet the basic criteria.

Although B-2 visitor visas are usually used by tourists, one can also be obtained for self-paid U.S. medical treatment that's unavailable in your home country.

Citizens of certain countries enjoy easy travel access to the U.S.—but limited rights once here.

A derivative visa should work for legally married same-sex couples who wish to travel or stay in the U.S. together; a B-2 visitor visa might help other couples.

After a VWP overstay, you'll have to apply for a regular tourist visa.

A border crossing card can be handy for Mexicans, if you realize that it is not a green card, and allows only short visits to the U.S. with no employment privileges.

Learn why U.S. immigration law might mandate that you be denied entry to the United States and how to avoid being turned away.

Once your family member has started the process of getting you a green card, it's difficult—but not impossible—to gain entry to the U.S. for a short visit.

An unusual use of the B-1 visa allows nonimmigrant visa holders to be accompanied by maids, cooks, nannies, and so on.

Instructions for visitors who wish to come to U.S. for business or pleasure.

Forms and documents needed to extend or change your visitor status into some other nonimmigrant status to stay in the U.S. lawfully.

There's no guarantee that your U.S. visitor visa will be renewed. Many applicants are shocked to discover that what they thought would be a routine visa renewal turns to a denial.

While U.S. consulates won't reconsider visa applications, by understanding why yours was denied, you can decide when the time is right to apply again.

Between initial periods of admission, possible extensions, and grace periods before you actually have to pick up and leave the U.S., how long might your temporary U.S. visa be good for?

Between initial periods of admission, possible extensions, and grace periods before you actually have to pick up and leave the U.S., how long might your temporary U.S. visa be good for?

If you are entering the U.S. for any sort of medical treatment, as is allowed under a B-2 visa, you must be able to pay for it with your own funds or with private health insurance.

It's possible to reapply, but make sure you strengthen your application first.

Immigration authorities are highly unlikely to track you down over a one-day overstay. But the law can make your next visit more difficult.

The fact that you have been refused entry under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will indeed go on your permanent immigration record, and could impact whether you are allowed into the U.S. in the future.

Airlines sometimes deny boarding to U.S.-bound passengers for immigration-related reasons, even despite the passenger having a valid U.S. visa.

Is there any way to stay in the U.S. longer than the 90 days allowed under the Visa Waiver Program?

Before purchasing plane tickets, check to see if you will need a U.S. visa for your brief stop in a U.S. airport and if so, whether you will have enough time to obtain one before your scheduled travel.