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B-1 Visas: Visas for Personal or Domestic Employees
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Overview

You may apply for a B-1 visitor visa to work in the United States as a personal or domestic employee for your employer in limited situations.  You may work in the United States on a visitor visa if your employer is:

  • A U.S. citizen who has a permanent home or is stationed in a foreign country, but is visiting or is assigned to the United States temporarily; or
  • A foreign citizen who is in the United States on one of the following nonimmigrant visa categories:  B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q.

Learn more about your rights in the United States and protection available to you by reading the Legal Rights and Protections pamphlet.

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Application Process

Step 1: Complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160.

Step 2: Go to the U.S. Visa Appointment Service website:

  1. Create a user account.
  2. Add information to complete the registration.
  3. Enter the DS-160 confirmation number.
  4. Select a Document Service Center (DSC) location.
  5. Pay the nonimmigrant visa (MRV) application fee: Pay online or in person at Scotiabank.
  6. Schedule an appointment.

Step 3: Gather required documentation to bring to your appointment.

  • DS-160 confirmation page with the barcode.
  • Valid Peruvian passport with a minimum of six (6) months validity.
  • Previous passports and visas, if applicable.
  • 2″ x 2″ (5 cm x 5 cm) color photograph on a white background, either uploaded to the system or sent with the documents.
  • Evidence must be provided that shows the employer’s proof of ability to pay the employee’s wages while in the United States.
  • Signed employment contract, in English as well as in a language you understand.  The contract must contain the following:
    • A description of the work duties of the employee;
    • The number of hours to be worked by the employee per week;
    • The rate of pay. (At least at the level of the state or Federal minimum or prevailing wage, whichever is greater for every hour worked.  Visit the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center website for information about prevailing wage);
    • The number of authorized holidays, vacation, and sick leave days per year;
    • The regular day(s) off each week;
    • The frequency and form of payment;
    • The rate of overtime pay (state law governing overtime rates can be found on the U.S. Department of Labor wages page);
    • Any money deducted for food or lodging, depending on the employer’s visa category;
    • That the employer will not withhold the employee’s passport, employment contract, or other personal property, nor prohibit the employee from leaving the premises when the employee is not on duty;
    • That the employer pay the domestic’s initial travel expenses to the United States and final departure at the termination of the assignment;
    • That the employee will not accept any other employment while working for the employer;
    • That both parties understand that the employee cannot be required to remain on the premises after working hours without compensation;
    • That the employer agrees to abide by all Federal, state, and local laws in the United States.

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