NONIMMIGRANT VISAS
National Business Executive Program (BEP)
The U.S. Department of State welcomes international business and fosters efficient business travel. Mission India strives to provide businesses with clear information about business travel requirements and processes. We are dedicated to assisting international companies move their personnel to and from the U.S. to conduct legitimate business. The BEP helps deliver these services to India nationwide.
What is the purpose of the BEP?
The BEP facilitates business travel in support of U.S. commerce abroad.
What services does the BEP provide?
The services provided are as follows:
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Access to a priority visa interview appointment calendar
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Expedited visa processing for employees on the day of the visa interview
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Access to a dedicated BEP Helpdesk
Note: all employees must still qualify for a visa in every respect.
Who manages the BEP?
Dedicated employees within the Consular section of the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Consulates in Chennai, Calcutta, and Mumbai manage the BEP for their respective Consular districts.
What companies does the BEP assist?
The BEP aims to assist major companies across India whose employees travel to the U.S. frequently on business.
How does a company enter the BEP?
A company enters the BEP through an enrollment process. To begin enrollment, a company must meet strict criteria. The BEP is a national program and once a company obtains membership in one Consular district, they can request membership in any other Consular district where they have a physical presence. To find out about the enrollment process and the criteria, send an email to the BEP Team in your respective Consular district. See the contact information below for details.
What is required of a BEP company?
A company who has successfully enrolled in the BEP must adhere to strict standards to stay in the program, for example:
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All BEP companies must provide their applicants with specific documents bearing agreed-upon security features. This helps ensure the legitimacy of all applications
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A BEP company must ensure that all visa applications are limited to genuine employees of the company who are being sent for a temporary stay in the U.S. on company business
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Records of all employees who receive a visa through the BEP must be kept and be provided to the respective Consular district’s BEP team upon request
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A BEP company must provide its letterhead and signatures of designated company representatives for comparison purposes
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Companies must allow site visits by the BEP Team. Site visits are often critical to determine a company’s eligibility and are useful to understand the nature of the company’s business
How does an employee apply for a visa through BEP?
To find out how an employee should apply for a visa through the BEP, click here.
To contact the BEP team in your respective Consular district, we recommend you do so by email.
New Delhi BEP Email: bepindia@state.gov
Kolkata BEP Email: consularkolkata@state.gov
Chennai BEP Email: chennaibep@state.gov
Mumbai BEP Email: mumbaibep@state.gov