Philadelphia Visitor Visa Attorneys

Visitor visa applications in the U.S. look straightforward until they aren’t. A prior denial under Section 214(b), an overstay on a previous entry, or an upcoming consular interview with unanswered questions can turn a routine filing into a serious legal matter. At Henry & Grogan, partners Michael S. Henry and Devin E. Grogan bring litigation-level capability to visitor and tourist visa cases. Leverage their decades of experience and unparalleled skill today.  

Call (215) 568-1500 to schedule your free consultation and discuss your visitor visa options before you file. 

B-1 & B-2 Visitor Visas: What They Cover & Why the Application Matters

The B-1 business visa authorizes activities like attending meetings, conferences, and contract negotiations with U.S. business associates. It doesn’t authorize employment or paid performances. 

The B-2 tourist visa covers tourism, family visits, medical treatment, amateur events, and short recreational courses, but not degree study or employment. 

Both are often issued together as a combined B-1/B-2. CBP officers set the authorized period of stay at entry, recorded on Form I-94, and that controls how long you may remain, regardless of when the visa stamp itself expires.

The single most common reason for B-1/B-2 denial is Section 214(b): a consular officer isn’t convinced the applicant has strong enough ties to their home country (employment, property, family obligations, etc.) to ensure they’ll return after the visit. Every applicant starts with this presumption working against them. 

The DS-160 online application, supporting documents, and interview answers all have to tell a consistent, credible story. Inconsistencies between any of those three are a common path to denial. Citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries who are ineligible for ESTA, or who need to stay longer than 90 days, face the same requirements. 

While managing these things is difficult, our attorneys are here to help. They can explain visa application requirements clearly and help you understand exactly what you must do to meet them and position your application for success. 

Here to Help You Overcome Visitor Visa Challenges

A prior visa denial isn't the end of the road. If you were denied under Section 214(b), reapplying with stronger documentation of your ties to your home country and a clearer explanation of your purpose can make a real difference.

That said, some situations require more than a better application.

If you overstayed a previous B-1/B-2 visa, the consequences depend on how long you stayed past your authorized period:

• An overstay of 180 days to one year results in a 3-year bar on reentry
• An overstay of one year or more results in a 10-year bar

If one of these bars applies to you, the path back into the U.S. runs through a waiver of inadmissibility: the formal legal process for seeking relief from an unlawful presence bar. We handle those filings.

When a visa application is stuck due to processing delays or an incorrect denial, we can file actions in federal court to compel a decision; this is a step many immigration firms don't take.

When the stakes are higher, our attorneys have the courtroom experience to match:

• Devin has obtained emergency injunctions in federal court to stop deportations
• Michael has argued before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and the Board of Immigration Appeals, winning dismissals, reversals, and emergency stays of deportation

If a family member is detained while their immigration status is being resolved, we can handle immigration bond hearings and file habeas corpus petitions in federal court to seek their release.

These aren't capabilities every immigration firm offers. At Henry & Grogan, they're central to how we handle cases that go beyond a routine filing.

What Sets Henry & Grogan Apart for Visitor Visa Cases in Philadelphia

Most immigration firms handling visitor visas offer document review and application support. We do that, too, but our ability goes further. With us, you'll get direct guidance from lawyers who have helped many people in situations just like yours and who are capable of escalating issues through litigation and other decisive actions. 

Our team's credentials in detail:

• Michael S. Henry: Practicing since 1987 and admitted in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the U.S. District Courts for the Eastern and Middle Districts of Pennsylvania, the District of New Jersey, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals
• Devin E. Grogan: Practicing immigration law since 2017 and admitted in Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals

Our attorneys represent clients nationwide in USCIS and immigration courts. That means you can get our premier services, even if you don't currently live in the Philadelphia area. 

Start With a Free Consultation

Whether you’re applying for a B-1 or B-2 visa for the first time, navigating a prior denial, or dealing with a more complex situation involving unlawful presence or a detained family member, Henry & Grogan can help you understand what your options actually are. We handle the full range of immigration matters for individuals and employers. Visitor visas are one part of a practice that includes green cards, asylum, removal defense, appeals, and employer immigration work.

Contact Henry & Grogan today at (215) 568-1500 to schedule your free consultation with a Philadelphia visitor visa attorney.

Not sure where to start? Your first conversation with us costs nothing.

Free Consultation