MSRI Visa Information

Many of MSRI’s short-term visitors (most workshop participants and about 70% of members) receive travel reimbursement and/or per diem expenses only. If you are such a short-term visitor (see following worksheet), unless you are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program described below, you will need to obtain a Visitor Visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate. The Visitor Visa stamp is usually issued as a combined B-1/B-2, business/tourist stamp (sometimes issued for multiple entries (M) for up to ten years). The B-1 business classification allows for “usual academic activities” such as workshops and collaborations. The B-1 allows for travel reimbursement and incidental expenses (no salary or honorarium). The B-2 is strictly a tourist classification and DOES NOT allow for payment of any kind, including travel and expenses (unless the 9 day rule* exception applies--see info below).

At the port of entry, the Immigration official will indicate either the B-1 OR the B-2 designation on the I-94 card (a small white card which will be stapled into your passport). If you are to receive expense reimbursement, it is crucial that you receive the B-1 classification. In the inspection area you must tell the official that you will receive reimbursement which requires the B-1 designation. Show your MSRI workshop invitation letter or visa designation request memo. Check the I-94 card for the B-1 classification before leaving the inspection area.

U.S. Department of State website for estimating how long you will have to wait to get a visa interview appointment:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php

CANADIAN CITIZENS PLEASE NOTE:
Although a visa stamp is not required to enter the US, if you are to receive travel and/or per diem you must ask for an I-94 card marked with a B-1 (business classification) at the land border or port of entry (unless the 9 day rule* applies—see info below). Otherwise you are assumed to have the B-2, tourist classification and we are prohibited from giving you any reimbursement. Note: Non-citizen Canadian residents require a visa to enter the US.

THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

Effective January 12, 2009, all Visa Waiver Program travelers will be required to obtain an electronic travel authorization PRIOR to boarding a carrier. One must apply for authorization online at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov
The Department of Homeland Security recommends that applications be submitted no less than 72 hours prior to travel, however we recommend applying far in advance in case one is not authorized online, therefore needing to make an appointment for a Visitor Visa at a U.S Embassy or Consulate.

All visa waiver program participants must have a machine-readable passport (MRP). Depending on when the passport was issued, other passport requirements apply:

Machine-readable passports issued/renewed/extended before 10/26/05 – no further requirements
Machine-readable passports issued/renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 – requires digital photograph printed on the data page or integrated chip with information from the data page
Machine-readable passports issued/renewed/extended on or after 10/26/06 – requires integrated chip with information from the data page (e-passport)

Visitors from Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and United Kingdom with stays of 90 days or less, may be eligible to enter the U.S. on the visa waiver program. New Countries Added: On November 17, 2008, the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) was expanded to include the Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic. On December 30, 2008 Malta joined the VWP. Eligible nationals of these countries are able to travel without a visa for tourist and business travel of 90 days or less provided they possess an e-passport and an approved authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This means it is not necessary to obtain a visa stamp from an American Consulate. At the American port of entry or land border, you will be required to show a passport, valid for six months beyond the intended visit, and a return trip ticket. The I-94 card (green-colored for waiver program), that will be stapled into your passport by the immigration official at the inspection point, will bear the designation “WT” (waiver tourist) or “WB” (waiver business). If you are to receive local and/or travel expenses, it is critical that you inform the official and obtain the “WB” designation on your I-94 card. Check the card before leaving the area.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA– VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

Your total visit may not exceed 90 days
Passport must meet above requirements and be valid for six months beyond the intended visit
You must have a return ticket (to any foreign destination other than a territory bordering the US- except residents)

LIMITATIONS – VISA WAIVER PROGRAM

absolutely no extensions or changes of visa status permitted
no payment or honorarium permitted, reimbursement for local expenses and travel only if “WB” notation appears on I-94 card (unless one is eligible for the ‘9 day rule’)*
Waive right to review or appeal admissibility decision, waive right to challenge decision if admission is denied

CITIZENS WHO DO NOT MEET THE PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM WILL NEED TO APPLY FOR A VISITOR VISA (B-1) AT THE US CONSULATE.

For more information see: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html

* The ‘9 day rule’ refers to a part of the 1998 Immigration and Nationality Act, which allows a visitor admitted with a B-1, B-2, WB or WT on the I-94 card to accept honorarium, travel reimbursement and incidental expenses associated with a visit for the purpose of ‘usual academic activities’ lasting not longer than 9 days at any single US institution, if the visitor has not accepted such payment from more than 5 US institutions in the previous 6 month period.