B1 INDUSTRIAL WORKER VISA
B1 Visa USA for Industrial Workers (After-Sales Service): Send UK Technicians to Install or Repair Equipment in the United States
Deploy UK-based engineers, installers, and service technicians to the U.S. for installation, commissioning, repair, maintenance, or training on equipment manufactured outside the United States—without triggering “unauthorised work” issues at the border.
Pay only after approval (terms apply). Fixed-fee options. Clear deliverables.
B1 Industrial Worker Visa (B-1 After-Sales Service) at a Glance
- Visa type: B-1 visitor for business used for commercial/industrial after-sales service (a recognised B-1 scenario)
- Who it’s for: Specialised technicians travelling temporarily to install, service, or repair industrial/commercial equipment purchased from a company outside the U.S., or to train U.S. workers to perform those services
- Key conditions: The sales contract must require the seller to provide installation/service/training; the equipment must be manufactured outside the U.S.; and the traveller must not receive U.S.-source compensation
- Why it matters: This is the “safe, defensible” route for sending technicians—because “install/repair” can sound like employment at the border if you arrive under ESTA without the right framing and paperwork
- UK-market focused support
- Fixed-fee options
- Clear document checklists
- Secure handling
- Pay after approval (terms apply)
INDEX:
- How do I send technicians to the USA?
- What is the B1 Industrial Worker Visa?
- ESTA vs B1 visa for technicians: why the B-1 route reduces border risk
- Permitted activities under the B-1 after-sales service framework
- "Will the visa show what I’m going to do?"
- B1 Industrial Worker / After-Sales Service: documents we typically structure
- How to apply (UK → USA)
- Government fees
- Pay After Approval: how our fee structure works
How do I send technicians to the USA?
This route is ideal when you need to send UK technicians to the U.S. to fulfil after-sales obligations linked to equipment delivered to an American customer. Typical use cases include:
- Installing or commissioning machinery delivered under a sales contract
- Troubleshooting, warranty repair, maintenance, or upgrades
- Training the U.S. customer’s staff to operate/maintain the equipment
- Multi-site client visits across the U.S. for post-sale service work
The common thread: the work supports a foreign-manufactured product sold by a non-U.S. seller, and the technician is temporarily in the U.S. to fulfil the seller’s contractual obligation.
What is the B1 Industrial Worker Visa?
This route is ideal when you need to send UK technicians to the U.S. to fulfil after-sales obligations linked to equipment delivered to an American customer. Typical use cases include:
- Installing or commissioning machinery delivered under a sales contract
- Troubleshooting, warranty repair, maintenance, or upgrades
- Training the U.S. customer’s staff to operate/maintain the equipment
- Multi-site client visits across the U.S. for post-sale service work
The common thread: the work supports a foreign-manufactured product sold by a non-U.S. seller, and the technician is temporarily in the U.S. to fulfil the seller’s contractual obligation.
ESTA vs B1 visa for technicians: why the B-1 route reduces border risk
Many UK travellers can use the Visa Waiver Program with ESTA for short business visits, but it’s limited to 90 days per trip and is not a visa.
The problem: technicians often answer border questions honestly—“I’m here to install/repair equipment”—and that can be misinterpreted as employment unless the officer quickly sees it fits the B-1 after-sales framework and conditions.
A B-1 visa prepared for after-sales service is often the smarter operational choice because:
- your purpose is supported by a structured file (contract + letters + evidence) aligned to recognised B-1 rules
- your case is easier to explain and inspect at arrival (still subject to CBP discretion)
Important accuracy point: A visa can reduce uncertainty, but it does not guarantee entry—CBP always makes the final admission decision at the port of entry.
Permitted activities under the B-1 after-sales service framework
The recognised scope includes:
- installing, servicing, or repairing commercial/industrial machinery purchased from outside the U.S.
- training U.S. workers to perform such services
Non-negotiables (where cases fail)
To fit, the officer must be satisfied that:
- the sales contract specifically requires the seller to provide the services/training
- the equipment was manufactured outside the United States
- the technician is not paid by a U.S. source for the services
And this is not a general work authorisation. It’s a narrow, document-driven business visitor scenario.
“Will the visa show what I’m going to do?”
In many technician/service cases, consulates may place an annotation on the visa reflecting the business purpose (for example, after-sales service). The exact wording and whether it references a customer/project can vary by post and case facts. (We design the case so the purpose is clear and consistent across documents and the interview.)
B1 Industrial Worker / After-Sales Service: documents we typically structure
- A) Contract & commercial chain
- Sales contract / PO / SOW showing the seller must provide installation/service/training
- B) Letters (the clarity layer)
- Letter from the UK (or non-U.S.) seller explaining: equipment, contractual obligation, site(s), dates, tasks, and why this technician is essential
- Confirmation letter from the U.S. customer (recommended): location, project schedule, and acknowledgement of seller-provided after-sales service
- C) Technician profile (specialised knowledge)
- Evidence the technician has product-specific knowledge and is essential to fulfil the contractual obligation
- D) Pay & employment
- Proof salary/remuneration remains outside the U.S. (non-U.S. payroll, assignment letter, etc.)
- E) Trip plan (temporary stay)
- Itinerary, site schedule, return plan, accommodation details
How to apply (UK → USA)
1. Eligibility & risk screening (activity fit + contract fit + compensation structure) |
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2. Build a consular + border-ready evidence pack aligned to after-sales service rules |
3. DS-160 + interview scheduling (as required by the post) |
4. Interview preparation: crisp explanations, consistent documents |
5. Travel with a “ready to inspect” pack for CBP |
Government fees
B-1 is a visitor visa category; the U.S. visitor visa application fee is published as $185.
At Corporate Visa Solutions, we provide a clear breakdown: government fees vs our fixed professional fee.
Pay After Approval: how our fee structure works
You do not pay our professional fee until your visa is approved (terms apply).
You get:
- fixed-fee quote upfront
- written scope + deliverables
- contract review + checklist
- interview preparation + border-ready documentation pack
Pay After Approval: how our fee structure works
You do not pay our professional fee until your visa is approved (terms apply).
You get:
- fixed-fee quote upfront
- written scope + deliverables
- contract review + checklist
- interview preparation + border-ready documentation pack
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
If the equipment was manufactured outside the U.S., sold under a contract that requires the seller to provide installation/service/training, and the technician is paid from outside the U.S., it may fit the B-1 after-sales service framework.
Some can, but “install/repair” often triggers work-related scrutiny. For real projects, a properly prepared B-1 case is frequently the lower-risk operational choice—while still subject to CBP inspection on arrival.
No, this is a business visitor pathway for a narrow after-sales service scenario, with strict conditions (contract requirement, foreign manufacture, no U.S. pay source).
That’s a red-flag area. We structure the scope carefully and will tell you if the facts point to a different visa solution.
Complete DS-160, pay the fee, schedule the appointment, attend the interview with supporting documents.