Study in America - The B-1 and B-2 Visa

The B-1 and B-2 Visa

In addition to traditional “student visas,” the following types of nonimmigrant visas are also often used by foreign nationals to facilitate their short term studies or learning experience in the US:

The B-1/2 Visa:

Commonly known as a “tourist visa” yet the most widely used visa type and often a catch-all visa for many occasions of a short term stay in the US. Both B-1 and B-2 are the same classification or same visa type and the only difference is B-1 is for business purpose and B-2 is for personal pleasure that would be determined by the US immigration at the port of entry. Foreign nationals are allowed to use this B-1/2 visa to come to the US for short-term business activities, attending international conferences, participate in industrial conventions or seminars including classroom trainings.

B-1/2 visas can also be used for students coming to the US for enrollment in a short recreational course of study that is NOT for credit toward an academic degree or academic certificates.

B-1/2 holders are admitted for the length of time incidental to the purpose of the trip plus reasonable time to exit the county and therefore it is usually a very short duration of authorized stay not exceeding 6 month for the initial admission, although it is possible to apply with the USCIS for an extension given justified reasons.

Because of the short term or temporary nature of this visa category, it is not an ideal visa type for serious educational purposes in the US.

Please give us your thoughts, comments and questions below in the comment section.

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About the authors:

Stan Bradshaw lives in Richardson, Texas where he is President and CEO of US Freedom Capital, a Dallas based firm focused on EB-5 qualified immigration investments. A business owner since 1990 and four time Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year finalist, Stan has been involved in technology, beginning his career at IBM in 1981. When not overseeing the investment firm Stan is a director on several non-profit Boards, serves as Vice-Chair on the board of the Richardson Texas Chamber of Commerce and enjoys playing guitar in a variety of local bands.

Stan@usfreedomcap.com | www.usfreedomcap.com | 888.519.8331

Abraham C. Yu, an immigrant from China himself, lives in Plano, Texas where he is the General Manager & Director of Immigration Division of Yu, South & Associates, a Dallas based boutique US immigration and international law firm. A business owner since 1991 and a listed EB-5 advisor since 2007, Abraham has been exclusively involved in international business, beginning his career with the Bureau of Foreign Economic Relations & Trade of Anhui Province in 1981. When not overseeing the firm’s operations, Abraham serves as cultural ambassador and was recently awarded “Citizen Diplomat” for outstanding service with the North Texas Council for International Visitors.

ayu@yuimmigration.com | www.yuimmigration.com | 888.289.9988