# B Visa & ESTA ## expand\_more ## Summary This page provides information on the B-1 visa, including restrictions on employment and the process for obtaining a visa. The B-1 visa is for a visitor coming temporarily to the United States generally for short term business. The B-2 visa is generally for pleasure or medical treatment. Visitors may use the B-1 visa for brief stays to participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars. The B visa is not appropriate for students or long-term scholars coming to Harvard University for an academic appointment, nor to scholars who are coming to collaborate with Harvard faculty members or primary investigators. ## Visa Waiver Program Citizens of a [limited number of countries](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html) are permitted to visit the United States for up to 90 days without a B-1/B-2 visa under the [Visa Waiver Program](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html). Visitors entering for business purposes are admitted in WB status and visitors entering for pleasure are admitted in WT status. The B-1/B-2 and WB/WT categories are very similar but they do have some important differences. Visitors admitted in WB/WT status cannot extend their permission to remain in the United States beyond 90 days and they cannot apply for a change of status. They must fulfill certain [passport requirements and pre-screening requirements](https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html). Individuals visiting the United States under the Visa Waiver Program will need pre-clearance authorization called [ESTA](http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta) prior to traveling. They must present evidence of ESTA approval at the port of entry to the United States. Please be sure to print out the approval when applying for ESTA. Please note that denial of a recent U.S. entry visa application could result in (an inability) failure to meet the prescreening requirements, additional questioning at the U.S. port of entry, or denial of admission to the U.S. Visitors in the U.S. with a WB/WT status who travel directly to Canada, Mexico, or the adjacent Caribbean islands for a short trip may be readmitted to the U.S. for the balance of their original admission period. Except for extensions, the information on the HIO web pages regarding the B visa also pertains to the Visa Waiver Program. The key difference is that visitors are exempt of having to get a visa in their passports. Recently, there are changes to the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) that establish new eligibility requirements for travel under the VWP. These new eligibility requirements do not bar travel to the U.S. Instead, a traveler who does not meet the requirements must obtain a visa for travel to the U.S., which generally includes an in-person interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. At the beginning of the year 2018, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched [two new traveler compliance initiatives](https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-reminds-travelers-time-remaining-us-expanded-i-94-website) to make it easier for Visa Waiver Program (VWP) travelers to check the status of their stay in the U.S. and remain in compliance with the terms of their admission. Travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the VWP: - Nationals of VWP countries who have been present in Iraq, Syria, or countries listed under specified designation lists (currently including Iran and Sudan) at any time on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited government/military exceptions). As of February 18, Libya, Somalia and Yemen have been added to this list. - Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iraq, Syria, Iran, or Sudan. For more information, please review the [**U.S. Customs and Border Protection website**](http://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/visa-waiver-program/visa-waiver-program-improvement-and-terrorist-travel-prevention-act-faq) . ## Employment Employment is not permitted on the B visa. However, a B-1 visitor may be given reimbursement for travel and living expenses. A B-1 visitor may be paid an honorarium for "usual academic activities" as long as the academic activity does not last longer than **nine days** at any institution and the visitor may not have accepted similar payments from more than five institutions during the previous six months. Any teaching activities must be discussed with an HIO advisor in advance. ## Obtaining a B Visa Individuals should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their countries for instructions on the visa application process and processing times. There is no visa document specific to the B visa, but applicants must clearly explain the purpose of the visit to the United States to the Customs and Border Protection Officer. For instance, a letter of invitation from the department describing the duration and purpose of the visit may be helpful. If a Harvard (or affiliate) department is inviting the B visitor on official business, the letter of invitation should cover the following points: - the nature of the visit is temporary - the individual will not be a salaried employee - the individual has their own funding (name source) - the individual's position/occupation in their home country - the individual will have a return passage - each period of stay at Harvard will not exceed 90 days (for Visa Waiver Program only) - the visit is of non-collaborative nature - whether an honorarium will be provided ## Additional Resources [ Extensions arrow\_circle\_right ](/visas-immigration/extensions) [ Travel arrow\_circle\_right ](/visas-immigration/travel) [ Dependents arrow\_circle\_right ](/visas-immigration/dependent)