Under the North American Free Trade Agreement ("NAFTA"), business persons who plan to carry on any business activity related to: research and design, growth, manufacturing and production, marketing, sales and distribution, after-sales service and general service may qualify as "B-1 Temporary Business Visitors" if they meet the following criteria:
Under the "B-1 Temporary Business Visitors" classification, a business visitor would require the following documentation:
If a business visitor makes frequent visits to the U.S., they may request that an I-94 (record of entry document) be inserted into their passport to facilitate temporary entry. This document can be issued for up to six months, however, it cannot be applied for in advance. It is only available at the time the person is seeking temporary entry into the U.S.
It should also be noted that business persons who plan to carry out professional activities for an employer or who are on contract to an enterprise located in a NAFTA member country other than one's own are designated as 'Professionals' and as such the criteria and documentation necessary to gain entry into the U.S. differs from that of a 'Business Visitor'.
The foregoing should not be considered to be legal advice and should not be relied upon as such. Please consult a lawyer to get advice and an opinion on your unique circumstances.