Process For Inviting a Visitor
There are four immigration classifications that allow entry to the U.S. as a visitor: ‘B-1’ visitor for business, ‘B-2’ visitor for tourism, ‘WB’ visa waiver for business, ‘WT’ visa waiver for tourism. Collectively, these four options are commonly referred to as “visitor status.” A visitor status may be appropriate for short-term Visiting Researcher (unpaid) appointments as well as for participation in BU led seminars and conferences, and one-time lectures or consultations.
While we do not require the processing forms for Visitor appointments, we do recommend that you discuss Visitor eligibility with the ISSO in advance to insure that this is the most appropriate category for the proposed appointment or visit and we require the scholar to check-in with the ISSO upon arrival.
The host department must obtain an official academic appointment (Visiting Researcher) on behalf of the international scholar through the standard appointment channels at the school or college. For BU led conferences and seminars or one-time lectures and consultations, a BU appointment is not required. Note that Visitors in B-1 or WB status may be eligible to receive reasonable per diem or reimbursement of travel expenses [not permitted for Visitors in B-2 or WT classification unless honorarium requirements apply – see below]. Departments should contact Accounts Payable for information about required documentation and paperwork for such payments.
Processing for visitor status
- Department confers with ISSO to determine eligibility for Visitor status and obtains academic appointment letter where appropriate
- Department prepares invitation letter and forwards it to the prospective scholar along with instructions for preparing to enter the U.S. (link)
- Visitor obtains appropriate clearance [ESTA for WB or WT or B1/B2 Visa] for status and enters the U.S.
- Scholar checks-in with ISSO OR Department assists ISSO with remote check-in by sending copy of passport information page, invitation letter, entry stamp in passport, B1/B2 visa (if applicable). Contact ISSO for required visitor check-in form as well.
- If applicable, department processes travel reimbursement and per diem through Accounts Payable and/or honorarium payments through the Payroll Office
Preparing the invitation letter
The department must provide the scholar with an invitation letter outlining the following information:
- Name of scholar (as indicated in passport)
- Birthdate, Passport country and number (recommended
- Explanation of the proposed affiliation (ie. has been invited by the Department of Physics as a Visiting Researcher)
- Dates of proposed appointment
- Confirmation that there is no associated salary for the visit (or information about per diem, reimbursement, etc.)
- Recommendation of B-1 or WB status
In addition, departments should provide the instructions for entering the U.S. as a Visitor (link) to insure that they are prepared for appropriate entry to the U.S.
The ISSO is happy to assist with visitor invitation letters. In order to assist, please provide us with a copy of the scholar’s passport biographical page(s) which include the passport number, expiration date and the scholar’s name, birthdate and other biographical information and a detailed explanation of the proposed affiliation. In cases where the affiliation will not be for a BU-led seminar or conference or a one-time lecture or consultation, please also provide us with academic appointment letter.
Paying the visitor an honorarium
In limited circumstances, BU can pay individuals in any Visitor classification an honorarium, per diem and/or travel reimbursement. In order for the Visitor to be eligible for such payments, the activity at BU can last for no longer than 9 business days and the visitor cannot have received similar payments 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 to determine a more appropriate sponsorship category to allow for payment. If BU will be providing an honorarium, please note this information in the invitation letter. For more questions about documents required to process the honorarium, per diem or travel reimbursement, please contact Accounts Payable.
All Visitors must check-in with the ISSO no later than three days from the start of their BU appointment/affiliation. The ISSO does allow for ‘remote’ check-in for short-term Visitors. Please contact your ISSO advisor to for instructions on required documentation and paperwork.
extending a visitor status
Visitors in WT or WB status are NOT eligible to extend their immigration status or change to another immigration status while inside the U.S. Visitors in B-1 or B-2 status may submit an application to USCIS to request an extension of their status, however until/unless the extension is approved, a BU affiliation will not be possible. Please contact the ISSO for more information.
