Visitor (B1/B2)

Business Registration Program (BRP)

Applicants eligible to apply through the BRP

Eligible companies may use the BRP to schedule visitor (B) visa appointments for the following persons who wish to travel to the United States for short term business or tourism.

• Full time, permanent employees, either Korean citizens or foreigners who work for the BRP company in Korea under a long term visa.
• Employees' children under 21 years of age and spouses.
• Former U.S. Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) or U.S. citizens if they submit Proof of Abandonment of LPR status (I-407) or Certificate of Loss of U.S. nationality (FS-348).

Ineligible applicants for the BRP

The following employees cannot use the BRP. They must schedule an appointment at http://www.us-visaservices.com.

• Employees seeking to travel to the United States for purposes other than short-term business and/or tourism, e.g., temporary work (H).
• Part-timers, interns or temporary employees.
• Whose spouses are U.S. citizens, LPRs or already in the United States.
• With any immigrant petition on file and/or PR passport holders.
• Non-Koreans who do not hold a long-term visa to Korea, i.e. visitors, trainees.
• Employees refused for any visa within the past months.
• Employees' parents or other relatives who are not a spouse or child under the age of 21. 

Required Documentation

All BRP submissions must include:
 

• A signed passport valid for at least six months after your date of entry into the U.S., with any covers removed.
• if the employee has had prior visas and has since received a new passport, all old passport(s) must be presented at the time of the interview).
• An electronic application (E-form DS-156) and DS-157 completed in English on the Internet, printed with the bar code page and signed by the employee.
  Applicants must use the electronic application form (E-form DS-156).

After verifying the information on the DS-156/DS-157, the BRP Authorized Signer at the company must sign Block 40.

The company must be clearly indicated by rubber stamp that the application is being submitted through the BRP.

The company's assigned BRP Number must be written on the top right hand side of the DS-156/DS-157. The BRP Number should also be included on any correspondence.

A passport style photo taken within the past six months, 50mm x 50mm, with white background, attached to the DS-156 (see "photo requirements" for the DS-156).

A receipt from Shinhan Bank for the visa processing fee attached to the DS-156.

All application packages must be configured in the following manner: First, Internet appointment slip.  Second, DS-156/157 with photo and MRV fee receipt and bar code sheet.  Last, the BRP Registration Letter (see below).

• A completed BRP Registration Letter for each application package. The names and relationships of all family members applying for a visa must be included on the letter. The letter must be dated within one month of the application and be printed on company letterhead.
• If spouse or children are applying, submit a Family Census Register (Certificate of Family Relationship/Basic Certificate/Certificate of Marital Status/Adoption Certificate) as proof of relationship to employee. If the family members are applying separately, include a copy of the employee's visa with the application package.
• Children not yet 14 years of age do not require an interview. If a child's parent already has a visa, the child can apply directly by an Embassy-approved courier, not using the BRP.
• Entry/exit records from Korean Immigration if a valid U.S. visa has been lost and written English explanation of the loss.
• For Non-Koreans: copy of employment contract showing the applicant's hire date and expiration date, and copy of alien registration card showing period of validity and status. For Non-Korean C1/D applicants, please provide a copy of crew registration card 
• For C1/D sea vessel applicants, submit seaman's passport.
• A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier (DHL Ilyang or Hanjin).

Visa Interview Procedures

BRP applicants are seen 1:30-3:30 PM, Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, except Korean and American holidays.

• Before appointment, ensure that all applications are completed with proper photo and Shinhan Bank fee receipt attached to the application.
• BRP applicant arrives at Embassy's visa side entrance 15 minutes early to allow time for normal security check. 
• After security check, the BRP applicant goes to 3rd floor,  skipping the the 1st floor intake.
• Please take a number from the BRP number machine and wait for your number to be called.  After your number is called, submit your documents to window #310 and 311.
• Wait in line to be fingerscanned and interviewed at window #312.
• Passports with visas will be returned by courier within five business days.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please go to USA VISA Information Services at http://www.us-visaservices.com. USA VISA Information Services is available 24 hours a day, and can be accessed from both inside and outside of Korea.

For nonimmigrant visa (NIV) inquiries (excluding E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries), please e-mail us at : seoulniv@state.gov. For E, H, L, O, P, Q visa inquiries, please e-mail us at : seoulgoldteam@state.gov.

The applicant, not the U.S. Government, assumes full responsibility for all documents and materials submitted in connection with any consular or visa matter, and for qualifying for the required visa or travel document in time to meet the applicant's needs.

This is an official U.S. Government source of information on the WWW. Inclusion of non-U.S. Government links or information does not imply endorsement of contents.

Updated July 18, 2008