What is the difference between a B-1 and a B-2 visa?

A B-1 visa and a B-2 visa are both nonimmigrant visas that allow foreign citizens to lawfully enter the United States. These visas generally have the same purpose, but there are some differences. A B-1 visa is for temporary business visits, allowing foreign citizens to come to the United States for business purposes such as attending a business conference, consulting with business associates, or negotiating contracts. A B-1 visa could also be used for religious work, or to participate in an amateur competition or event. A B-2 visa is for temporary pleasure or medical visits, allowing foreign citizens to come to the United States for tourism, vacation or pleasure, to visit family or friends, or to get medical treatment. Some activities may be allowed on a B-2 visa that are not allowed on a B-1 visa, such as studying in the United States (as a student visa, such as the F-1 visa, is normally required for this). Both B-1 and B-2 visas have an expiry date and foreign citizens must leave the United States on or before this date. In addition, both visas have certain restrictions, such as the inability to take part in any form of paid employment, and foreign citizens must be able to show that they will comply with these regulations. As a result, students in Virginia should be familiar with the differences between these two visas before making any application.

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La diferencia entre una visa B-1 y una visa B-2 es que la visa B-1 se utiliza para fines de negocios breves, mientras que la visa B-2 se usa para propósitos de turismo. La visa B-1 se otorga a viajeros extranjeros que entran temporalmente a los Estados Unidos para asistir a reuniones de negocios, consultas, transacciones financieras o actividades similares o de corta duración. Por otro lado, la visa B-2 se otorga a viajeros extranjeros que entran temporalmente a los Estados Unidos para turismo, tratamiento médico, visitas recreativas o similares. Los estudiantes de Virginia que viajan a los Estados Unidos desde el extranjero por estudios necesitan una visa F-1 para estudiar a tiempo completo en una institución acreditada. Los estudiantes también pueden solicitar una visa M-1 para estudiar programas a tiempo parcial en una institución acreditada. Estas visas no se consideran visas de negocios o de turismo.

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