Personal trip using prev company's B1 visa

[Padmini]

I would like to know if one can make a personal (tourism) trip to US using previoud employers B1 visa.

My friend has a valid B1 visa through her previous employer. There is no 'ANNOTATION' mentioning the company name on her visa.
Now, she wants to visit her sister in the US. Can she travel with her B1 visa?

Suggestions/feedback are appreciated.

[immihelp]

As long it says B1/B2, personal trip is fine.

[validvisa]

Even I have the same question. So, i replied to this thread as i need more details on this.

At arrival, they will ask what is the purpose of visa,if i said business trip to some client. They will ask me client invitation letter. In this case( personal trip) what should i tell ??? what documentation required ??

[knowledgeable]

They usually don't require documentation at POE. What they need is reasonable justification.

If this is a personal trip, you do know why exactly are you coming to US. It must be for one or more reasons. You're not flying here just because there's a flight from your home country to US.

As long as you have the proper information on why you're here, how long will you be here, where will you stay. Do you have the phone/address of the location where you're staying? Do you have sufficient funds for the entire stay?

Client's invitation letter is not necessarily required at POE. If available for a business trip, it may help, but it's surely not required.

Good luck.

[clarify]

That would be illegal. You are suppose to be coming to the US on a Busienss Visa fro Business. Their is another visa that must be applied for if one would like to come here for pleasure/personal reasons. From my experince a client letter is always requested or a letter from the compnay who has the business visa for you stating they will be handling all monetary parameters while here in the US.

[PraetorianXI]

That would be illegal. You are suppose to be coming to the US on a Busienss Visa fro Business. Their is another visa that must be applied for if one would like to come here for pleasure/personal reasons. From my experince a client letter is always requested or a letter from the compnay who has the business visa for you stating they will be handling all monetary parameters while here in the US.

Actually, that is wrong.

Most visitors are issued a B-1/B-2 visa, which means they can be used for EITHER business or pleasure. For as long as you do not abuse your visa (taking employment, classes, etc).

It is a common misconception that a company that "sponsors" an alien for a "Business" visa (B-1) has power over the alien and his/her use of that visa.

Once you receive the visa, you got it because you earned it, you earned the right to apply for entry to the USA. That is all, it has nothing to do with the company, but with your ability to show strong ties to your home country.

Now, if you only have a B-1 classification in your passport, then I would say the best bet is to use only for business (conference, purchases, deals, etc). But in the vast majority of cases, you receive a B-1/B-2 visa which allows you to travel for a visit, and for as long as your can prove at the POE that you have a reason for the visit, a place to stay, enough funds to cover your expenses (or a letter from someone stating they will pay for them) and a return ticket. Then you will very likely be granted entry.