Taking Advantage of the Visa Waiver Program for Business Trips in Florida

Business travel spending in the United States is highly lucrative, generating about $1.5 trillion globally by the end of 2024. Florida is one of the most popular destinations for business trips, and it hosts numerous conferences and conventions each year. If you’re planning on traveling to Florida on business, you might want to consider something called the “Visa Waiver Program” (VWP). An immigration lawyer in Palm Beach Gardens can explain this program in more detail.

Why Choose the Visa Waiver Program Before Business Trips to Florida? 

What is the benefit of the VWP? Why should employees and employers consider this program before a business trip to Florida? Simply put, this program reduces barriers and challenges associated with visiting the United States. As long as you plan to stay for no more than three months, you can travel to the United States without first obtaining a visa under this program.

The Visa Waiver Program Is Sometimes Insufficient 

Although the VWP is beneficial for many business travelers, it may prove insufficient in some situations. First of all, only 41 countries qualify for this type of visa. All of the “major” Western or Western-aligned countries are on this list, but many are absent.

China is one notable country that is not part of the Visa Waiver Program. Another notable absentee is India. Generally speaking, members of the “BRICS” nations are not covered under the Visa Waiver Program – making it challenging for some travelers to enter the United States on business without first obtaining a visa.

In some cases, you may become ineligible if you merely visit certain countries before first applying for the Visa Waiver Program. These countries include Iran, Iraq, Yemen, and many other unstable, war-torn, or controversial nations. Many dual citizens of certain countries are ineligible, even if they hold citizenship in one of the 41 accepted countries.

Finally, the Visa Waiver Program may not be suitable for business visitors who plan to stay for more than three months. If you’re visiting in order to carry out a specific business goal in Florida, you might have to pursue more specialized visas. For example, you might be planning to set up a new branch or office within Florida. In this situation, an L-1 Intracompany Transferee Visa may be more appropriate.

To select the most appropriate visa based on your unique business goals and circumstances, speak with an experienced immigration lawyer.

Can a Palm Beach Gardens Immigration Lawyer Help With the Visa Waiver Program? 

Whether you’re traveling to Florida or you want to send some of your employees to the Sunshine State, an experienced Palm Beach Gardens immigration lawyer can help you navigate the Visa Waiver Program. To explore this possibility in greater detail, consider a consultation with The Devore Law Group. We have considerable experience with business visas, and we can help you make international business in Florida as seamless as possible.

Sources: 

travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html

uscis.gov/working-in-the-united-states/temporary-workers/l-1a-intracompany-transferee-executive-or-manager