Visitors for Business | Office of International Affairs | University of Colorado Denver

Visitors for Business (B-1 or WB)

Visitors to the university who will not be employees and will pursue the allowed activities listed below for short periods may enter the U.S. as visitors for business.

Categories	B-1 Visitor for Business	Visitor for Business with Visa Waiver Program (VWP)	J-1 Short-Term Scholar
Definition	An individual participating in business activities	Individuals from participating countries may be eligible for VWP. Must meet eligibility requirements and be authorized through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) PRIOR to travel	Professors, research scholars, and other individuals with similar education/accomplishments
Activities	Traveling for a scientific, educational, or professional conference, Consulting with business associates, Conducting Independent research*	Traveling for a scientific, educational, or professional conference, Consulting with business associates, Conducting Independent research*	Short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills They may also collaborate on special research projects or teach a semester
Invitation or Documents	Use Letter of Invitation (LOI) Template Under the Heading "Invitation Letters" later on this webpage.	Use Letter of Invitation (LOI) Template Under the Heading "Invitation Letters" later on this webpage.	Issuance of Form DS-2019 by ISSS
Consideration	Will need to fully explain purpose for visit and present documents. Consular Officer may not agree that visitor is the correct category and request DS-2019 for J-1 category.	Will need to fully explain purpose for visit and present documents. Customs and Border Protection Officer may believe J-1 is the correct category and deny entry.	Scholar may be subject to 212(e) based on skills list or funding sources
Length of Time	Form I-94 arrival record will dictate actual length of stay, usually 6 months or length of activity	90 days or less with no extension	3 days up to 6 months. Cannot be extended or change of category requested
Funding/Honorarium	Self-Funded and/or can be reimbursed for expenses and/or receive an honorarium	Self-Funded and/or can be reimbursed for expenses and/or receive an honorarium	Self, CU, or other sources
Insurance	Strongly encouraged	Strongly encouraged	Required
Citation of information	https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html	https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html	https://j1visa.state.gov/
Check In/Exit			Online check-in and required orientation by ISSS, and must report departure to ISSS

*“Independent research” has been interpreted as research that has no direct benefit to the institution where the research takes place.  There is some risk that the visitor could be denied entry if U.S. Customs and Border Protection interprets their activity differently.  A J exchange visitor visa would avoid that risk. 

Citizens of participating countries who meet the criteria may enter the U.S. using the Visa Waiver Program and do not have to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. They must have a valid  Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel. Their stay is limited to 90 days and cannot be extended.

All others must have a valid B-1 visa to enter as a visitor for business and must apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The period of stay may be 6 months or limited to the period of their activity. It can be extended by filing Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services prior to the Admit Until date on Form I-94, Arrival Record.

Note that visa appointment availability for visitor visas vary greatly depending on where the visitor will apply. With the city where the visitor will apply for a visa, you can check visa appointment wait times.

Activities

According to the Foreign Affairs Manual (the document that guides U.S. Consular Officials), the following general activities are appropriate uses for the B-1 or WB visa:  

Engage in commercial transactions which do not involve gainful employment in the U.S.
Negotiate contracts.
Consult with business associates.
Litigation.
Participate in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, or seminars.
Undertake independent research.*
Observe business or vocational operations and activity.

Medical doctors can come to observe or consult with colleagues, but there can be no patient contact or care.

*“Independent research” has been interpreted as research that has no direct benefit to the institution where the research takes place.  There is some risk that the visitor could be denied entry if U.S. Customs and Border Protection interprets their activity differently.  A J exchange visitor visa would avoid that risk.  

Invitation Letters

Invited visitors applying for a visitor for business visa or entering the U.S. as visitor for business need a letter of invitation from the host unit. Use the templates below:

B-1 Visitor for Business Templates

Visa Waiver (WB) Templates

Medical students, pursuing a medical degree at a foreign institution, who are coming to the U.S. to engage in a required, unpaid clerkship. All their expenses in the U.S. must be met by personal funds.

International medical school students who want to come to the Anschutz Medical Campus for clinical rotations apply through the School of Medicine visiting student program. They assist international medical students to come to the U.S. in B-1/WB status. 

Visitors for Business can receive reimbursements for incidental expenses or per diems related to their B-1/WB activity. The total amount of such payments cannot exceed what is "reasonable" as a business expense. 

Visitors for Business (B-1/WB) can receive honoraria under the following circumstances:

S/he cannot have been involved in the activity on this campus for more than 9 days, and
S/he cannot have received more than 5 US payments in the past 6 months, and 
S/he will need to complete an honorarium compliance statement, and
S/he will need to complete a W-8BEN.

The payment is subject to 30% tax withholding. See International AP Payments for more information.

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Office of International Affairs

Visitors for Business (B-1 or WB)

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Visitors for Business (B-1 or WB)

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