B1 visas are available for those businessmen who intend to temporarily visit the US to conduct business on behalf of their foreign employers.  The B1 visa holders are limited on what business activity s/he can perform—i.e. negotiate contracts, sell products, develop business contracts, and attend conferences for the benefit of their foreign employer.  The B1 visa holder must clearly perform services that benefit the foreign employer.

The B1 visa holders cannot be employed in the US; cannot receive salaries or other compensation while in the US other than reimbursement for incidental expenses.  The B1 visa holder is allowed to remain in the US for a 6 month period that can be extended for an additional 6 month period so long as circumstances require. 

Note that under the Visa Waiver Program, certain businessmen from certain countries under the program who are only intended to temporarily visit the US for no more than 3 months (90 days) do not need to apply for a B1 visa at his or her Consulate.  Rather s/he is eligible to immediately enter the US without a B1 visa.

Currently the following 27 countries are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program:

Click here for additional information on the Visa Waiver Program