Which visa to apply for visiting USA when working with/providing a service to a USA company?

Which visa to apply for visiting USA when working with/providing a service to a USA company? - Interior of modern taxi car while passenger paying for ride

I am a self employed individual (Indian Citizen) working with a company based in the USA and I plan to travel there for tourism purposes and also to visit the company (to meet the team). I also have other circumstances because of which I cannot prove strong ties with my home country.

I came across several instances while researching online that a B1/B2 Visa might be refused as they might consider that I would go and work with the said company while on US land and could prove to be the grounds for refusal.

The other point is, since I am a sole proprietor, I do not have a parent company that is 'sending' me to USA and to which I will come back to. It is just me, working individually.

Is H1B even an alternative? I do not have any plans to stay in USA or settle down there (although, as stated above, its difficult to prove this). Is there any other type of visa that allows me to visit once in a while and would be easier to get under the circumstances?



Best Answer

No, an H1b is not the appropriate visa for your situation.
An H1b is a work-visa and it is sponsored by & applied for by the company in the USA in order for you to become a full-time employee of theirs - living & working in the USA.
There are limited numbers of these visas issued and applications are generally only accepted at a specific time of year.

What you need is a B1/B2.
I was in much the same situation as you are in (although it was 15 years ago) - owned my own consulting business and wanted to 'visit' a customer in the USA with which I'd had an ongoing business relationship for the previous year or 2.
You'll need to show convincing evidence of a legitimate ongoing business in your home country to which you will return and you'll need to show that your business will survive with you being absent for this period of time.

I had been running my business for about 3.5 years at the time I applied and could show tax returns and other evidence of a genuine operational business.
I had documentation from the company I was to be visiting stating the purpose of the visit and that they would be covering all of my costs.
I was only issued a single-entry visa, valid for less than 2 weeks, on that occasion, but subsequent visas were issued for 6 months and most recently for 10 years (since I behaved myself and complied with all of the rules).




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What does a B1 visa allow?

The B1 visa is a non-immigrant US visa that permits visitors to enter the United States for business purposes. B1 visa holders can engage in the following activities: Negotiate contracts. Consult with business associates in the US.

Can I visit US with B1 B2 visa?

Remember, a B1 or B2 visa allows you to come to the U.S. to visit. If the CBP Officer suspects that you are actually trying to be a de facto resident, you will be denied entry. Re-entry is, of course, dependent on your continued eligibility to enter.

What is G4 visa for USA?

The G-4 visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa for employees of international organizations and members of their immediate families.



Tourist Visa to USA - Apply for Visitor Visa US - US Visa - B1/B2 Visa Step by Step - GrayLaw TV




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