About B Status
There are four variations of B status for temporary visitors:
- B-1 status is issued for business or medical clerkships.
- B-2 status is issued if the visit is for pleasure.
- WB status indicates that the visit is for business purposes and the individual is entering under the Visa Waiver Program.
- WT status indicates that the visit is for pleasure and the individual is entering under the Visa Waiver Program.
NOTE: An individual can only be admitted in one status (B-1 or B-2), which depends upon the purpose of that entry, even if there is a combination B-1/B-2 visa stamp in the passport.
Length of Stay
B-1 Visitor for Business: These individuals are admitted for a reasonable amount of time in order to fulfill the stated purpose of the trip, not to exceed one year. An extension of temporary stay may be granted in increments of not more than six months each.
B-1 Visitor for a Medical Clerkship: This is a medical student studying at a foreign medical school who seeks to enter the United States temporarily in order to take an elective clerkship at a U.S. medical school’s hospital without remuneration from the hospital.
B-2 Visitor for Pleasure: These individuals are admitted for a standard period of six months (provided that he or she holds a valid passport), regardless of the validity of the visa stamp and regardless whether less time is requested. Under special circumstances, if more time is requested, the inspector at the port of entry can lengthen the period of admission, not to exceed one year.
WB/WT Designations: These individuals are admitted for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.
NOTE: The expiration date for the stay is recorded on the I-94 card.
Extensions
A person admitted on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) cannot extend their stay.
A person on a B visa may extend their stay by submitting the following items to USCIS:
- A completed Form I-539
- A check or money order (payable to Department of Homeland Security)
- A photocopy of the front and back of the I-94 card
- A copy of passport picture page, including any pages showing an extension
- Proof of financial support
- A letter addressed "To Whom It May Concern" explaining in detail:
- The reasons for the extension
- Why the extended stay would be temporary
- Arrangements to depart the U.S.
- Effect the extended stay may have on foreign employment or residency
The Office of International Affairs suggests that the applicant keep a photocopy of the entire packet with their records.
The extension application should be filed before the authorized stay expires. USCIS must have received the application by the date on which the I-94 card expires.
Applications for extension of stay may take 2-4 months. Once the application has been filed before the expiration date on the I-94 card, the applicant and family members may remain in the U.S. until the application is adjudicated.
B Status and Studying
Enrollment in a course of study is prohibited while in B status. B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrants must apply for and receive approval of change of status prior to beginning an academic program.
For more extensive information, please visit the U.S. State Department's Web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1262.html.