B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa
The temporary visa for business or tourism visits to the U.S.
The temporary visa for business or tourism visits to the U.S.
Overview
Overview
B-1 (Business)
B-1 (Business)
The B-1 is for temporary business activities that don't involve working for or being paid by a U.S. employer. It covers attending meetings, conferences, and conventions; negotiating contracts; consulting with business associates; and settling an estate or similar short-term affairs.
The B-1 is for temporary business activities that don't involve working for or being paid by a U.S. employer. It covers attending meetings, conferences, and conventions; negotiating contracts; consulting with business associates; and settling an estate or similar short-term affairs.
B-2 (Tourism & Visits)
B-2 (Tourism & Visits)
The B-2 is for temporary visits of a personal nature. It covers tourism and sightseeing; visiting family or friends; obtaining medical treatment; and participating in social events or short recreational (non-credit) courses.
The B-2 is for temporary visits of a personal nature. It covers tourism and sightseeing; visiting family or friends; obtaining medical treatment; and participating in social events or short recreational (non-credit) courses.
What It Allows & What It Doesn't
Attending business meetings, conferences, and conventions
Tourism, sightseeing, and visiting family or friends
Obtaining medical treatment
Settling an estate or handling short-term personal affairs
Enrolling in short recreational, non-credit courses
Working for or being paid by a U.S. employer
Enrolling in academic or vocational study for credit
Staying beyond your authorized period
Entering with the intent to remain permanently
Receiving payment from a U.S. source for services performed
What a B-1/B-2 Allows
Attending business meetings, conferences, and conventions
Tourism, sightseeing, and visiting family or friends
Obtaining medical treatment
Settling an estate or handling short-term personal affairs
Enrolling in short recreational, non-credit courses
What it doesn't allow
When Your Plans Change After You Arrive
When Your Plans Change After You Arrive
Some visitors find their circumstances shift once they're in the U.S. Options may exist but only while you're in valid status, and none are automatic.
Some visitors find their circumstances shift once they're in the U.S. Options may exist but only while you're in valid status, and none are automatic.
You'd like to study
You'd like to study
A B-1/B-2 doesn't allow you to enroll in classes. To study, you must first change to an F-1 (academic) or M-1 (vocational) status by filing Form I-539, and be approved before classes begin. Enrolling while still in B status can jeopardize your status and future applications.
You need more time
You need more time
A B-1/B-2 stay usually lasts one to six months. To stay longer for the same purpose, you can request an extension by filing Form I-539, generally for up to six more months. This extends your time, it doesn't change what you're allowed to do.
Your circumstances change
Your circumstances change
Say you came to visit and now have a real reason to stay in a different capacity such as a job offer, marriage, or a new opportunity. Where you're eligible, you may be able to change from B-1/B-2 to another category through USCIS. But this isn't always available, timing matters, and the change must reflect a real change of plans, not an intention you held before entering. The rules are strict and the consequences of getting it wrong are serious, so talk to an attorney before acting.
You'd like to study
You'd like to study
A B-1/B-2 doesn't allow you to enroll in classes. To study, you must first change to an F-1 (academic) or M-1 (vocational) status by filing Form I-539, and be approved before classes begin. Enrolling while still in B status can jeopardize your status and future applications.
You need more time
You need more time
A B-1/B-2 stay usually lasts one to six months. To stay longer for the same purpose, you can request an extension by filing Form I-539, generally for up to six more months. This extends your time, it doesn't change what you're allowed to do.
Your circumstances change
Your circumstances change
Say you came to visit and now have a real reason to stay in a different capacity such as a job offer, marriage, or a new opportunity. Where you're eligible, you may be able to change from B-1/B-2 to another category through USCIS. But this isn't always available, timing matters, and the change must reflect a real change of plans, not an intention you held before entering. The rules are strict and the consequences of getting it wrong are serious, so talk to an attorney before acting.
Our Process
Our Process
1
Discovery & Strategy
Discovery & Strategy
We make sure the B-1/B-2 fits your plans and that your purpose is temporary and flag anything in your history that could complicate the application, so there are no surprises later.
1
Discovery & Strategy
We make sure the B-1/B-2 fits your plans and that your purpose is temporary and flag anything in your history that could complicate the application, so there are no surprises later.
2
Preparing Your Application
We complete your DS-160 and build a clear, consistent file purpose of travel, proof of funds, and ties abroad that answers the consulate's questions before they're asked.
2
Petition Assembly & Filing
We complete your DS-160 and build a clear, consistent file purpose of travel, proof of funds, and ties abroad that answers the consulate's questions before they're asked.
3
Preparing for the Interview
We prepare you to speak clearly about your purpose, your plans, and your ties abroad.
3
Consular Interview Preparation
We prepare you to speak clearly about your purpose, your plans, and your ties abroad.
4
After Your Visa Is Issued
We stay available for what comes next : extending your stay if you need more time, or a change of status if your circumstances genuinely change after you arrive.
4
Approval & Ongoing Counsel
We stay available for what comes next : extending your stay if you need more time, or a change of status if your circumstances genuinely change after you arrive.
Checklist
Checklist
Mamdani Law
A valid passport and completed DS-160 application
Proof of the purpose of your trip
Evidence of your ties to your home country
Proof you can fund your visit
Your consular interview
Mamdani Law
A valid passport and completed DS-160 application
Proof of the purpose of your trip
Evidence of your ties to your home country
Proof you can fund your visit
Your consular interview
How We Work
How We Work
A deliberately limited caseload
We take on fewer matters than a high-volume firm, by design. Your case receives focused, senior-level attention, not a place in a queue of hundreds.
Every filing reviewed, then reviewed again
Before anything reaches the government, it passes through a careful, multi-step review. The small errors and inconsistencies that trigger Requests for Evidence, delays, and denials are precisely what that process is built to catch.
Direct access to your attorney
You work with the attorney handling your case from start to finish, clear answers, proactive updates, one point of accountability, not a rotating cast of assistants.
A deliberately limited caseload
We take on fewer matters than a high-volume firm, by design. Your case receives focused, senior-level attention, not a place in a queue of hundreds.
Every filing reviewed, then reviewed again
Before anything reaches the government, it passes through a careful, multi-step review. The small errors and inconsistencies that trigger Requests for Evidence, delays, and denials are precisely what that process is built to catch.
Direct access to your attorney
You work with the attorney handling your case from start to finish, clear answers, proactive updates, one point of accountability, not a rotating cast of assistants.
Speak with an attorney.
Speak with an attorney.
An attorney will review your situation and explain your options.
An attorney will review your situation and explain your options.
© 2016-2026 Mamdani Law. All Rights Reserved.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not establish an attorney-client relationship until a formal engagement agreement is signed. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
© 2016-2026 Mamdani Law. All Rights Reserved.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not establish an attorney-client relationship until a formal engagement agreement is signed. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.
© 2016-2026 Mamdani Law. All Rights Reserved.
The content on this website is for informational purposes only, does not constitute legal advice, and does not establish an attorney-client relationship until a formal engagement agreement is signed. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.