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For Nigerians who want to attend conferences in the United States, getting the right visa is the key. Today, you ‘ll see the steps on how to apply for a USA conference visa. We will guide you through the application process and provide other successful tips for your visa approval. Read further.

There are different types of US visas. However, applicants must choose the right type of visa depending on the purpose of their visit. For short-stay visits like attending a conference in the United States, a tourist visa is a must that many visa applicants apply for. So, what is a conference visa, and who is eligible for it?

What Is A USA Conference Visa?

The USA Conference Visa, which is also called the B-1 visa, is a non-immigrant visa that permits people to go to the USA for business reasons, such as attending conferences, seminars, and meetings.

This visa is ideal for people who are searching for ways to broaden their professional network, gain knowledge from industry leaders, and find new business opportunities.

It allows attendees to engage in specific business activities without the intention of permanently immigrating to the U.S. While primarily intended for business-related conferences, the B-1 visa can also accommodate those attending academic, scientific, or professional events.

Eligibility Criteria

It is very important to know the eligibility criteria and the application process before applying for a conference visa. To be eligible for a conference visa, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• The primary purpose of your trip must be to attend a conference, seminar, or professional meeting in the United States.
• You should have a valid passport with a validity of at least six months before you leave Nigeria.
• You are required to show strong connections to your home country, e.g., a permanent job, family, or property, to prove that you will come back after the conference.
• You must have enough money to pay for your travel costs, such as hotel, transport, and day-to-day expenses when you come to the US.

Steps to Apply for the USA Conference Visa from Nigeria

1. Know Your Visa Type

There are two types of visas you can apply for, depending on the purpose of your visit: The B-1 Business Visitor Visa and the B-2 Tourist Visa are the two possible types of visas for this purpose.

The B-1 Business Visitor Visa is good for attending conferences, seminars, or professional meetings, whereas the B-2 Tourist Visa is better for tourism-related activities.

The proper choice of visa type guarantees the alignment of the activities you plan to do in the US and the visa category, which in turn reduces the chances of complications during the application process and at the visa interview.

2. Complete the DS-160 Form

Applicants must download and fill out the DS-160 form. The DS-160 must be filled in accurately because it is the main source of information for the U.S. authorities to process your visa application.

You are to upload a good picture that meets the photo requirements. After the submission, keep the confirmation page with the barcode, which will be needed for scheduling your visa interview.

3. Pay the Visa Fee

After completing the DS-160 form, the next step is to pay the nonrefundable visa application fee of $185. The payment instructions are different according to the chosen payment method. Nigerian applicants usually have the choice of paying the visa fee at the designated GTBank branches.

How to Make Payments for Your US Visa

GTBank branches nationwide

• Meet the US Visa fee-receiving teller in the branch with a photocopy of the data page of your passport and write the Visa category on the photocopy.
• Pay cash to the teller.
• Two copies of the receipt will be given to you.
• Confirm the details on the receipt and sign both copies.
• Return one copy to the teller.

GTBank Internet Banking Portal for account holders only

• Log on to www.gtbank.com.
• Click on the Internet banking login and input your user ID and PIN.
• Select the Visa fee payment under the Book Hotels and Travels menu.
• Complete the form on the payment page.
• Select the visa category. The visa fee amount is automatically generated.
• Reconfirm your profile and make appropriate adjustments before authorizing payment.
• Authorize the transaction using a code generated from your token hardware device, and click the submit icon to make a payment.
• A receipt will be automatically generated upon successful payment. Print the receipt.

Nonimmigrant visa applicants without a GTBank account must pay their visa application fee in cash at any GTBank branch. At the bank, you must write your fee payment amount and your telephone number on the U.S. visa fee collection slip available.

After processing the payment, the bank will generate a receipt. PLEASE NOTE: THE INTERNATIONAL PASSPORT OF THE APPLICANT FOR WHOM THE RECEIPT IS INTENDED IS REQUIRED WHEN MAKING VISA FEE PAYMENT AT ANY GTBank LOCATION.

4. Booking an Appointment

If you have successfully paid the B1 visa fee, the next step is to book an appointment for the visa interviews. Applicants can schedule a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in Nigeria.

The process of scheduling the interview is usually done online through the official website of the U.S. Department of State.

Applicants should select a date and time that are convenient for the interview and make sure that all the necessary documents are available. To book for your US visa interview, use this link.

5. Attend A Visa Interview

The last stage of the application process is the visa interview, which takes place at the American Embassy or Consulate in Nigeria. The following must be brought to the interview location by candidates: their passport, the DS-160 confirmation page, the payment receipt, and any supporting documentation.

The interview questions will center on your trip. Be truthful, confident, and clear in your answers. After the interview, wait for further instructions about passport collection and visa issuance.

Tips For USA Conference Visa Approval

a) Start the application process early

Getting a conference visa can be a tedious process, so, it very important that you start the process like one month before the date. Make sure that you have all the necessary documents and that they are genuine. Fake documents can attract a 5-year visa ban.

b) Provide evidence of the conference invitation

One of the vital steps in getting a USA conference visa is to prove that you have been invited to the conference. This could be your official letter of invitation from the conference organizers, a detailed itinerary of the conference schedule, and any other relevant details that show your purpose for visiting the USA.

c) Show strong ties to your home country

When you are trying to get a visa for a conference, you need to prove to the US visa officer that you are not planning to abscond (Japa) or go against the visa condition.

This can be done by providing proof of employment, land documents, family ties, or other connections that show that you will return to Nigeria after the conference.

d) Show Proof of Funds

Prove to the US Embassy that you have enough money to support yourself in the USA, covering the expenses of conference registration, accommodation, transportation, and other living expenses. This could be in the form of bank statements, sponsorship letters, etc.

B1 vs. B2 Visa: Get to Know the Difference

Before you apply for the USA conference visa, you must know the difference between the B1 and B2 visa types. Both are non-immigrant visas, but they have different purposes.

B1 Visa: This is a business visa, which is for people who travel to the US for business reasons such as meetings, conferences, or other activities.

B2 Visa: This is a tourist visa, a pass that allows people to travel to the US for fun, sightseeing, or medical treatment. A B2 visa can be used for activities such as tourism or receiving medical treatment.

Conclusion

The USA conference visa is available for people who plan to travel to the United States for short business-related activities, like attending a conference.

To apply from Nigeria, make sure that you have all the necessary documents, the most important of which is proof of the conference or event you will be attending in the United States.

However, keep in mind that while you’re in the US on a BI visa, you can’t work for a US company or get paid from a US source. To be able to work legally in the US, you first have to get a US work visa.