Non-Immigrant Visas
Business Visas (B-1)
Business travelers to the United States require a B-1 visa. Applicants for B-1 visas need to travel to Pakistan, pay their visa application fee at the nearest American Express location, and interview at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad. Afghan nationals do not require appointments at the Embassy, but must arrive between 9:00-11:00 am, Monday-Friday.
Applicants for B-1 business visas are strongly advised to apply as far in advance as possible to avoid delays in processing their visas. Travelers should plan accordingly and are advised to apply at least three months prior to their intended date of travel. Additionally, travelers are encouraged to apply for a new visa prior to the expiration of their current visa (up to one year prior to expiration).
Applicants do not have to come to the Embassy until the day of their appointment and must bring the following documents:
- Completed application forms;
- Passport (current and all prior);
- Fee receipt; and
- Additional supporting documents (optional).
The most important documents to bring are the passport and visa application forms. This and the information given at the time of the interview provide the officer with much of the information needed to make a decision. You should complete your application form fully and accurately and bring all current and prior passports.
Additional documents are not required, although you may bring any additional documents you feel demonstrate your eligibility. Please remember that visa eligibility is based on your situation and not your documents. Documents often only reinforce what is in the visa application and what an applicant tells the officer during the interview. A qualified applicant can receive a visa with little to no supporting documentation. An applicant who is not qualified for a nonimmigrant visa will be refused regardless of the quantity of additional documents provided.
Due to the inconsistent quality of local documents and widespread availability of fraudulent documents, we cannot rely on the authenticity of documents; therefore, officers must base their decisions mainly on the application and from information obtained from the applicant during the interview.
Eligibility: Consular officers adjudicate visas according to the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act. According to U.S. immigration law, consular officers are required to deny an applicant's application if he or she fails to present convincing evidence that he or she is not an intending immigrant. In other word, applicants are presumed to be intending immigrants until they are able to demonstrate otherwise. Please note that the burden of proof is on the applicant.
In order to qualify for a non-immigrant visa, an applicant must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that he/she is not an intending immigrant and that there is a credible purpose of travel. Applicants overcome the presumption of immigration by demonstrating that they have substantial family, economic, and social ties to Afghanistan, and often, a prior history of travel outside of Afghanistan. No relative, employer, or friend can "guarantee" an applicant's return in place of such evidence. The consular officer must look at the individual situation and decide whether the applicant meets the requirements on his or her own merits regardless of who is sponsoring the trip.
Caution: By signing the visa application form you are certifying that all the information provided is true and correct. If you misrepresent any facts, you could be permanently barred from entering the United States. Please double-check that all your answers are accurate and that every question is answered completely.
You can get more information about business visas at the State Department website: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html
Important Information for U.S. Companies and Organizations: The U.S. State Department provides information to the U.S. business community to help them bring their foreign employees or partners to the USA on legitimate business travel. The Business Visa Center assists U.S. companies and convention organizers by explaining the B-1 visa application process. The Business Visa Center can be reached via the website http://www.travel.state.gov, by writing to businessvisa@state.gov or calling 202-663-3198.