B-1 Business Visitor

The vast majority of Canadians entering the United States for business purposes are B-1 permit holders. The B-1 visa is a very fast and relatively simple means of visiting the United States for business purposes.

A B-1 Business Visitor is required for Canadians wishing to enter the United States to conduct general business-like activities. The typical B-1 applicant comes to the U.S to:
 

• attend business meetings
• consult with associates
• attend business conferences and conventions
• negotiate contracts
• investigate business opportunities
• purchase property in the U.S

Pursuant to the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), people with B-1 status may perform the following activities:

• Research and design, including technical, scientific, and statistical research.
• Growth, manufacturing, and production, including harvest owners supervising harvesting crews and purchasing and production management personnel conducting commercial transactions.
• Marketing, including market researchers and analysts and trade fair and promotional personnel attending trade conventions.
• Sales, including sales representatives and agents taking orders and negotiating contracts for goods or services, but not delivering goods or providing services; buyers purchasing for an enterprise located in Canada.
• Distribution, including transportation operators delivering to, or loading and transporting from Canada or the United States, with no intermediate loading or delivery within the United States; customs brokers performing brokerage duties associated with the export of goods.
• After-sales service, including installers, repair and maintenance personnel, and supervisors possessing specialized knowledge essential to the seller's contractual obligation, performing services or training workers to perform such services pursuant to a warranty or other service contract incidental to the sale of commercial or industrial equipment or machinery, including computer software purchased from an enterprise located outside the country, during the life of the warranty or service agreement.

What activities are NOT permissible under B-1 status?
The answer is not that clear. Basically, activities, which “engage the U.S. labor market” are not permitted, that is, you are not supposed to engage in productive activities, which are normally performed by U.S. workers.

B-1 status is Temporary
It is important to note that like the TN Visa and L-1 Visa (Link), B-1 status is for a temporary period and the applicant is required to leave the United Status when the B-1 activity is completed.

How do you obtain a B-1?
Canadian Citizens may obtain a B-1 at a U.S/Canadian port of entry. B-1 applicants may be advised to present the following documentation in support of their B-1 case:

• Evidence of ties to Canada such as bank records
• Evidence of close family relatives
• Property deeds and any other documentation that shows that the applicant will return to Canada before or upon the expiry of B-1 status.
• Documents showing that the applicant will be engaging in permissible B-1 activities.

Nothing on this or associated pages, documents, articles or other communications should be taken as legal advice for any individual case or situation.  The information is intended to be general and should not be relied upon for any specific situation.  For legal advice, consult an attorney experienced in immigration law.