Business Visa Center

Note: For information for APEC meeting participants, see APEC Meetings in the U.S. - FAQs

The Business Visa Center is part of the Department of State’s ongoing effort to better facilitate the issuance of visas for legitimate business travelers worldwide. The Business Visa Center is available to assist businesses and organizations in the United States and their partners, customers and colleagues around the world.

The Business Visa Center’s Role

The Department of State strives to make the visa process as understandable as possible. The Business Visa Center, within the Visa Office, in Washington, D.C., is a part of this effort to make visa information readily available.

The Business Visa Center assists businesses and organizations located in the United States (U.S.) by providing information about the application process for business (B-1) visitor visa travel to the U.S. As part of an ongoing effort, the Business Visa Center:

  • Explains the visa process when U.S. companies and organizations invite employees or current and prospective business clients and partners to the U.S.
  • Provides information to U.S. conference and sports organizers that expect a large number of foreign visitors to the U.S.

See Frequently Asked Questions below to learn more about the kinds of travel considered business related (B-1) visitor visa travel, and to find out if the Business Visa Center can assist with your visa question.

What the Business Visa Center Cannot Do

The Business Visa Center cannot:

  • Expedite interview appointments or the processing of visa applications.
  • Guarantee the issuance of a visa or decide the merits of an application for a visa.  The consular officer at the embassy or consulate overseas will make those decisions during the application process.

About the Visa Application Process

It is important to understand some basics about steps in the visa process. U.S. embassies and consulates in more than 200 countries overseas continue to have the responsibility under immigration law for the acceptance and processing of visa applications, and decisions about issuance of visas for foreign citizens to travel to the U.S. The Business Visa Center does not change the steps in the visa process nor can it interfere in the visa process.

Website Resources

Improved information for businesses and the public, in the form of up-to-date details about wait times for interviews and visa processing times, is available on U.S. embassy and consulate websites and www.travel.state.gov. This information allows business travelers to better prepare for their interviews and plan their trips.

How to Apply for a Visa

Business Visa Center - Frequently Asked Questions

Do you still have questions about how the Business Visa Center can help you? See our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

How to Contact Us

For inquiries falling within the scope of the Business Visa Center’s services, please contact us at:
   Email: BusinessVisa@State.gov (preferred means of contact)
   Phone: 202-663-3198, Hours: 8:30am to 5pm (EST), Monday – Friday.

For general visa information and to speak with a Visa Specialist, please contact the Visa Office at:
   Phone: 202-663-1225, Hours: 8:30am to 5pm (EST), Monday-Friday.

Additional References

Printable flier on the Business Visa Center coming soon.