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B-1,
B2, WB, WT Occasional International Visitor
Boston University departments are encouraged to invite international
visitors to participate in academic activities for brief visits.
Such international visitors generally travel to the US in either
a B-1 (Visitor for Business) or B-2 (Visitor for Tourism) classification.
They may be paid an honorarium, a per diem and/or reimbursed for
travel expenses for activities lasting no longer than 9
business days , from no more than 5 academic institutions
in the US within the past six months. If the activity will last
longer than 9 business days, please refer to the immigration
classifications table.
Nationals of certain countries are waived by the US Department of
State from obtaining a B-1 or B-2 Visitor Visa to enter
the US for short visits. Nationals of approximately 27
countries can
enter the US with a valid passport and obtain WB (Visa Waiver for
business) or WT (Visa Waiver for Tourism) status at a US port of
entry. They may also receive payments for limited academic activities
and must follow the same regulations and guidelines stated above.
The host department is strongly advised to send a formal letter
of invitation to the international visitor outlining
the terms of the academic activities and remuneration, if applicable,
to assist the international visitor with his/her application for
a non-immigrant visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. Please refer to
the ISSO sample letter of
invitation.
International visitors who will be paid as indicated above must
provide copies of their immigration documents to the
host department while physically present in the US at
the time of the academic activity (i.e. photocopy of the personal
data page of passport and a dark, legible copy of the front and reverse
side of I-94 departure card) in addition to a US
social security number (SSN) or a US individual
taxpayer
identification number (ITIN) for tax purposes. Payments
for travel reimbursements and per diems are processing
through the BU Office
of Accounts Payable. Honorarium
payments for foreign nationals are processed through
the BU
Payroll Office.
US taxes will be deducted for honorarium payments at a withholding
rate of 30%. If the individual is eligible for tax treaty
benefits for honorarium payments, they must present a US Social Security
number or a US taxpayer identification number to the Payroll Office
and complete an application for tax treaty benefits while present
in the US . If the individual is unable to provide a US Social Security
number or a US taxpayer identification number while present
in the US , US taxes will be deducted at the standard 30% withholding
rate. The individual may be eligible to apply for a refund from the
US government after obtaining a US Social Security number or a US
taxpayer identification number by filing a personal US tax return.
Processing Summary
for
B-1, B-2, WB, WT Occasional International Visitor |
Step 1
Department
forwards letter of invitation to prospective visitor |
Step 2
Visitor applies for
B-1 or B-2 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate (if
necessary) |
Step 3
Visitor travels to US |
Step 4
Department
makes photocopies of visitor's passport and I-94 card |
Step
5
If applicable, department processes travel reimbursement
and per diem through Accounts Payable and/or honoraria
payments through the Payroll Office |
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