The Business Visa Center (BVC) is part of the Department of State’s ongoing effort to facilitate the issuance of visas for legitimate business travelers from around the world. The Visa Office created the Business Visa Center to serve businesses in the United States by providing information on business (B1) visitor visa travel to their partners, customers and colleagues around the world.  This includes explaining the application process for business clients, partners, foreign employees and others whom American companies and organizations invite to the United States.

The Role of the Business Visa Center

The Business Visa Center cannot guarantee the issuance of a visa, overturn visa adjudications, or provide advice on visa classifications.  The Business Visa Center functions to:

• Direct U.S. organizations to embassy/consulate-specific visa application procedures and clarify information about the visa application process.
• Familiarize U.S. organizations with criteria for expedited interview appointments and facilitate cases involving significant USG interest.
• Support U.S. Conference and Sports organizers by posting events with a large number of foreign visitors on our Intranet.
• Provide indirect support to embassy/consulate staff by answering inquiries from U.S. organizations and their international partners related to B1 visa travel.

How to Contact Us

If your inquiry is within the scope of the Business Visa Center’s role, please e-mail businessvisa@state.gov.

Website Resources

Information for businesses such as, updated details about wait times for interviews and visa processing times, is available on most U.S. embassy and consulate websites and usvisas.state.gov. This information allows business travelers to better prepare for their interviews and plan their travel to the United States.

How to Apply for a Visa

• Learn  how to apply for a business related (B-1) visitor visa, 
• Check on visa wait times for an interview appointment, 
• Locate a U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide, find out how to make an interview appointment, pay the visa application fee, and much more.