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Visitors from outside the USA should check with the nearest US Embassy or Consulate
to see if a Visa is required. Information on
US Embassies and Consulates is listed on the web at:
http://travel.state.gov/links.html
Apply early, and note that obtaining US visas in a country
other than your country of citizenship may not be possible.
WAIVER FOR BUSINESS / WAIVER FOR TOURISM
The Visa Waiver Pilot Program enables citizens of participating countries
to travel to the US for tourism or business for 90 days or less without
obtaining a US Visa.
Countries listed as of January 1998 are:
Andorra Argentina Austria Australia
Belgium Brunei Denmark Finland
France Germany Iceland Ireland
Italy Japan Liechtenstein Luxembourg
Monaco The Netherlands New Zeland Norway
San Marino Spain Sweden Switzerland
The United Kingdom
Participants must have a round trip ticket and a valid passport and seek
entry for 90 days or less.
No extensions are allowable under this status nor can this status be changed.
Participants need not go to a Consulate for an entry permit. When entering
the US, they will be given the Visa at the airport.
It will be either
WB [Note], Waiver for Business, or
WT, Waiver for Tourism.
The same restrictions apply as with B1/B2. Participants may not work or study.
They may not receive salary, consultant fees nor per diem.
Note
1. WB status will allow for reimbursement of expenses. To obtain a WB,
the participant when entering the US, must show evidence of coming
for business, i.e. a letter of invitation from a business or university
which describes the work to be done.
Citizens of other countries should obtain B-1 (business)
visas from the US Embassy or
Consulate in their country before departure.
Family members should obtain B-2 (pleasure) visas.
If you are visiting other institutions in the US,
check with them for any additional
visa requirements, especially if you anticipate receiving
financial support from a US institution.
Holders of J-1 or HB visas should contact their sponsoring host
institutions if necessary.
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