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International Students & Scholars Services

Inviting B-1 & Visa Waiver (VW) Visitors

B-1 Visitors for "Business" (and Visa Waiver)

The B-1 visa (including the visa waiver program) permits persons to come to the US to engage in short-term, temporary professional activities related to their employment abroad; for example, consulting with peers, participating in conferences or seminars, lecturing or speaking, training, and independent research that provides no benefit to a US institution.

The B-1 business category is not appropriate for visitors engaging in collaborative research with WVU faculty or research which will benefit the University in any way. If collaborative research is involved or the University will benefit from the research, a J-1 visa should be requested. To do so, please visit: http://isss.wvu.edu/info-for-departments/j-1-scholars-information-for-departments. If you are unsure which visa would be appropriate, please direct your questions to isss-scholars@mail.wvu.edu.

Permissible Academic Activities

  • Lecturing/Guest Teaching
  • Conduct Independent Research
  • Attend Conferences
  • Medical Observation
  • Medical Clerkship

Incidental Expenses/Remuneration

A temporary business visitor may not receive a salary from a US source for services rendered in connection with his or her activities in the United States. A US source, however, may provide the temporary business visitor with an expense allowance or reimbursement for expenses incidental to the temporary stay. Incidental expenses may not exceed the actual reasonable expenses the temporary business visitor will incur in traveling to and from the event, together with the living expenses the temporary business visitor reasonably can be expected to incur for meals, lodging, laundry, and other basic services.

Honorarium

A temporary business visitor may accept an honorarium payment and associated incidental expenses for usual academic activities if:

  1. The activities last no longer than nine days at any single institution or organization;
  2. Payment is offered by an institution or organization describes in INA 212(p);
  3. The honorarium is for services conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and
  4. The temporary business visitor has not accepted such payment or expenses from more than five institutions or organizations over the last six months.

To invite a B-1 visitor:

Complete the one-step International Visitor Registration Form, which submits visitor information for Export Control screening and ISSS review.

  • The WVU host must complete the International Visitor Registration Form at least two weeks in advance of the B-1 visit, so the Export Control Office can determine if the temporary business visitor is on a federal restricted party list, associated with a restricted entity, or if there are other export control concerns related to the visit.

Note: This applies to prospective foreign national visitors including those who qualify under the visa waiver program.

We have provided a copy of an Invitation Letter template below for your convenience.