Visa Information for Visiting Scientists
Please visit www.unitedstatesvisas.gov for detailed information about visa requirements specific to your country or region.
Advance planning by international travelers is essential to ensure that they have the visa they need when they come to the United States of America. For most visa applicants, an interview is required as a standard part of visa processing. Visa applications take more time now than in the past. Some applications require additional security screening. Improved and automated procedures have considerably sped up visa clearance procedures.
Doing Business - Using Your Visitors (B-1) Visa
Certain kinds of "business" related travel, is permitted using a B-1 visitor visa. The definition of "business" under immigration law is limited, and does not generally allow for gainful employment, labor for hire, or productive activity, such as operating a business or consultancy work. Specifically, in the applicable U.S. law, the term "business" is limited to the negotiation of contracts, consultation with business associates, litigation, and participation in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences or seminars and other legitimate activities of a commercial or professional nature.
Traveling Without a Visa
Some visitors who are citizens of certain countries, traveling for visitor visa purposes for 90 days or less, and who meet all the requirements, can travel to the United States without a visa, on the Visa Waiver Program. Additionally, certain citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need a visa to visit the U.S.
New Visa Waiver Program Travel
Beginning 12 January 2009, all nationals and citizens of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries who plan to travel to the U.S. for temporary business or pleasure for 90 days or less will be required by law to obtain travel authorization prior to initiating travel to the United States.
This authorization can be obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) found here, a free Internet application administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
For a list of participating VWP countries, please click here.
For additional information about the ESTA please visit http://www.cbp.gov/esta.
NOTE: Travelers from countries not in the Visa Waiver Program are still required to obtain a Visa upon entry into the United States.