Non-Immigrant Visas

Visas for Tourists and Business Travelers

The B1/B2 Business/Visitor visa is our most commonly issued category. B-1 visas are for people entering the United States temporarily for business, while B-2 visas are appropriate for tourism or “social visits.” In most cases, we issue a combined B1/B2 visa which can be used for both types of activity. The following sections describe what you can do if you enter the United States in B-1 or B-2 status.

WHAT TYPES OF ACTIVITY ARE APPROPRIATE FOR BUSINESS (B-1) TRAVELERS?

A traveler visiting the United States for business reasons that do not involve receiving income from a U.S. source may travel on a business visa. Note, however, that for Singaporeans or citizens of other countries in the Visa Waiver Program, if your trip is for fewer than 90 days you may not need a visa. Please click here to see whether you can travel without a visa.

Business travel generally means engaging in business activities other than the actual performance of labor. If you intend to work in the United States, you will need a visa specifically for that purpose. Note also that journalists, or other members of the media who are going to the United States as part of their job—e.g. to cover a story—must apply for an I-1 visa and may NOT travel on a B1/B2 visa or use the Visa Waiver Program.

The B-1 Business visa is appropriate for the following types of travelers:

• Employees of a company who come to the United States to solicit sales, negotiate contracts, or take orders from established customers for work that will be performed in Singapore or in other countries outside the United States;
• Employees of a company or office of a U.S. company who come to the United States to engage in consultations with U.S. business associates;
• Business people attending professional conferences or conventions, or executive seminars in the United States;
• Business people who come to the United States to undertake independent research, such as product or market research;
• Investors coming to the United States to set up their investments; and
• Physicians coming to observe new procedures and to consult without performing any patient care.

WHAT AM I ALLOWED TO DO IN THE UNITED STATES AS A (B-2) TOURIST?

Travelers visiting the United States for pleasure can do so on Visitor (or Tourist) visas. The B-2 Visitor visa is equivalent to Singapore’s “Social Visit Pass.” As with business travelers, if you are a citizen of Singapore or of one of the other Visa Waiver Program countries, and if your trip is for fewer than 90 days, you may not need a visa. Please refer to [LINK: TopAndFAQ Do I Need A Visa?] to see whether you can travel without a visa.

A B-2 visa is appropriate for such activities as:

• Tourism;
• Visiting friends and relatives;
• Medical care;
• Participation in conventions, conferences, or convocations of fraternal or social organizations; and
• Participation by amateurs in musical, sports and similar events.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

The only required documents are the Standard Non-Immigrant Visa Documents listed under HOW DO I APPLY FOR A VISA?

RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTAL DOCUMENTS

To qualify for a B1/B2 visa, you have to demonstrate that:

• your situation here in Singapore or in another foreign country, whatever it may be, is stable and attractive enough that you will return to it at the end of your stay in the United States;
• your visit will be for a definite, temporary period;
• you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses in the United States.

No one person’s situation is exactly like anyone else’s, so there is no specific list of documents which must be submitted to address each of these points. The following are suggestions which have been useful to previous applicants:

Tourists or Social Visitors

Employment: (i) A letter from the applicant's employer stating job title, salary, and date of hire; and, (ii) The applicant's three most recent pay slips.

Bank statements: Monthly statements or passbook showing account activity for the past three months (bank reference letters are not useful for this purpose). Only personal documents are accepted – do not submit statements for company accounts.

Income: Your most current income tax notice (IRA Form 4020).

Spouses and Minors may submit the documents of their spouse or parent; however, they should provide proof of the relationship by including a marriage or birth certificate.

Business Travelers

All of the recommended documents listed above for "Tourist or Social Visitors.” These are appropriate in all cases, regardless of whether the employer will be financially supporting the applicant's travel.

A letter from the applicant's employer stating the specific nature of the business or training the applicant will engage in, details of financial support, and the names and locations of U.S. business contacts or training locations.