Getting a Visa for overseas travel

If you are planning on traveling outside of the United States to locations like Indonesia, China, Brazil, or India, in addition to your valid U.S. Passport, you will also need to have a Visa. Visas are available for tourists and business travelers for specific purposes, including:

General Tourism Visa (B-1)

U.S. citizens who are interested in traveling to a foreign country may obtain a general tourism visa, also known as a visitor visa for any of the following:

• Tourism - including vacation or visiting with friends or family members.
• Medical - those who are in need of medical care they wish to obtain overseas.
• Event participation - social events offered by service organizations or fraternal or social groups.
• Arts and recreation - those who are participating, without remuneration, in sports events, contests, or musical events in other countries. The Olympics would be an example of this type of travel.
• Study - certain studies that are normally not eligible for degree credits; short courses, such as cooking or theatrical classes.

Business Visa (B -2)

Those who wish to travel to a foreign country for business purposes are limited to those countries which the U.S. does not have travel sanctions in place for business purposes. Some of the common reasons to travel to a foreign country for business include:

• Normal business - in some cases, it is necessary to travel to a foreign country for the purpose of consulting with associates.
• Educational travel - businesses may offer educational opportunities in the form of conferences or conventions in overseas locations.
• Personal estates - if you have a loved one who has died overseas, you may need to travel there to settle their estate.
• Contract work - in some cases, in order to finalize a contract, it may be necessary to travel overseas.

The most common locations for travel

Overall, there are four countries that U.S. residents travel to the most frequently. Each has their own requirements for a Visa, and those requirements must be met. In some cases, your state may place additional restrictions or requirements on you if you plan to travel to any of these areas. The four countries most frequently traveled to include:

• Brazil – as with all other travel, you must have a valid U.S. passport as well as additional documentation to travel to Brazil. Applications may be made in person, by mail, or by using a paid courier.
• China – in addition to a valid U.S. passport (which must have at least one blank page) travelers will be required to have the proper visa. The Chinese Embassy processes all applications for a visa and a fee must be paid to them. Any error in the application can cause significant delays.
• India – as with other countries, you must have a valid U.S. passport to travel to India. All applications are processed through the Indian Embassy, and if you do not have a round-trip ticket showing your arrival dates and departure dates, you may face a challenge getting a visa. Requirements change frequently, so before you purchase air tickets, make sure you check them.
• Indonesia – your passport must be valid for at least six months after your planned travel to Indonesia. In addition, you will be required to have a vaccination for yellow fever and show proof of employment. Be sure to check on all requirements for an Indonesian visa before you purchase your flight.

Keep in mind—each country sets their requirements and restrictions on travel. In addition, the documentation necessary will vary significantly and processing times could be very long.

Delay of International Entrepreneur Rule

Talented immigrant entrepreneurs — many people are shocked to discover 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies took root thanks to an immigrant or the child of an immigrant. Immigration has been part of the fabric of the United States since its founding. The International Entrepreneur Rule, originally scheduled to go into effect on July 17, 2017 has been delayed. This delay may slow the opportunity for us to attract the best and brightest.

Delay in rule implementation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in response to an Executive Order signed by President Trump has issued memoranda delaying this rule from going into effect until March 14, 2018. Immigration attorneys, venture capital groups, and business owners are responding to this delay vigorously, reminding DHS of the significant contributions made to the U.S. economy by immigrant entrepreneurs.

Visas in limbo

DHS estimated there would be nearly 3,000 entrepreneurs eligible on an annual basis. However, since the rule was due to go into effect this month, those entrepreneurs who met the basic requirements are in limbo. Entrepreneurs would have had to meet very specific requirements, some of which include:

• A major interest in a company that was considered a start up in the U.S. within the last five years.
• Central and active role in such entity; must have assisted with the success of the business.
• U.S. investors must have invested capital into the business; the investors must have had a record of success with previous investments.        
• Awards or grants issued to the start-up by governmental agencies at any level.

Those entrepreneurs, their spouses, and children, would have been eligible to come to the United States for a period of 30