U.S. visitor visa guide

Short business visit documents (B-1)

Materials for a short business trip — meetings or a conference. This is not a work permit for a U.S. job.

Updated 2026-07-287 min readAlways follow the latest official rules

Short answer

For a short B-1 trip, prepare an employer letter stating the purpose, dates, who pays, and that you will return. Add a conference invitation or meeting schedule if you have one. You cannot earn a salary from a U.S. company on a B-1.

Employer letter

  • Purpose: meetings, conference, or negotiations
  • Exact dates of the trip
  • Who pays for travel and stay
  • Statement that you will return to your job

Meeting proof

A conference registration or a written meeting schedule from the U.S. side helps the officer understand the purpose.

What B-1 is not for

You cannot take a paid position with a U.S. employer, work remotely for a U.S. company, or do routine on-site labor. Keep the trip short and meeting-based.

FAQ

Can I get paid by a U.S. company?

No. A B-1 is for short business activities, not employment.

What if the meeting is informal?

A short schedule or email from the host still explains the purpose.

Do I need a U.S. company letter?

It helps but your own employer’s letter is the core document.

Official sources

Links to public government pages for verification.