Research for my company and travel under B1/B2 visa. Unusual case

I have very unusual situation. My current employer is going to send me to USA in few days to perform "kind of research" and i'm going to travel during my free time.

Let me describe that "research". Our company is shipping car to USA and then we need to test some equipment installed in that vehicle (cameras + sensors etc). Basically just driving and testing that everything is ok, sending reports and data directly back to my country. That's it. We are paid from my country, no deals or service for any US individual or company. We need around 3 months to be done. Then we are going to Canada, Mexico, Colombia, Australia etc..

Are we ok with B1/B2? We never had any troubles with business visas anywhere around the globe.

Best Answer

Your situation isn't all that odd. Thousands of Companies from all over the world send their employees to the United States to conduct business daily. There is no such thing as "kind of research". You are either conducting work (or business, and your testing would easily be classified as business), or you are not.

Whether or not you plan on doing some sight-seeing and travel during your free time is up to you, and doesn't negate the fact that you are in the United States primarily to do testing and conduct business.

That leads to your next question about the Visa Requirements: It sounds like you and your colleagues will need a B1 Visa, not a B2 Visa.

From the Department of State website, a B-1 Visa is to be used to:

Consult with business associates.
Attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference.
Settle an estate.
Negotiate a contract.

You will be doing the first as part of your testing. You are on company time, doing company work (testing, research), using company equipment, and consulting/communicating with work (company) colleagues.

Simply tell border agents the truth. Read more here. (PDF)

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Can I travel as tourist with B1 B2 visa?

While a US B1 visa is solely used for business travel, the B1/B2 visa can be used for both business as well as for tourism and leisure purposes. The B1/B2 visa is also called B2 visa or US Visitor visa.

What does a B1 B2 visa allow?

What is a B1/B2 visa? The B-1/B-2 visa is a temporary, non-immigrant visa that allows the holder to travel to the United States for either business or tourism purposes.

How many times can you enter the US on a B1 B2 visa?

If you have a B1/B2 visa, you can visit the United States whenever you want to \u2013 as long as your passport is valid. The B visa is a multiple entry visa, which means you can use it to enter the United States more than once.

What is the maximum stay for B1 B2 visa?

B1 and B2 visa holders are allowed to stay in the US for up to 6 months at a time. Each visa application will be assessed on its own merit, and the adjudicating officer may grant a stay of less than 6 months \u2013 this is the maximum period for an initial stay under the B classification.

B1 / B2 is Tourist / Visitor Visa NOT Good for Working or Doing Business in USA | Don't Abuse Visa

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Images: Niklas Jeromin, cottonbro, Pixabay, Alexander Suhorucov