CMAS Conference - Visa Information

B-1, B2, WB, WT Occasional International Visitor

International visitors are often invited by UNC departments to participate in academic activities for brief visits. Such international visitors sometimes travel to the United States in either a B-1 (Visitor for Business) or B-2 (Visitor for Tourism) classification. They may be paid an honorarium, a per diem and/or reimbursed for travel expenses for activities lasting no longer than 9 business days, from no more than 5 academic institutions in the US within the past six months.

Nationals of certain countries are waived by the US Department of State from obtaining a B-1 or B-2 Visitor Visa to enter the United States for short visits. Nationals from 27 countries can enter the US with a valid passport and obtain WB (Visa Waiver for business) or WT (Visa Waiver for Tourism) status at a US port of entry. (Please see the U.S. State Department's website on the Visa Waiver Program at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html ). They may also receive payments for limited academic activities and must follow the same regulations and guidelines stated above.

The host department is strongly advised to send a formal letter of invitation to the international visitor outlining the terms of the academic activities and remuneration, if applicable, to assist the international visitor with his/her application for a non-immigrant visa at a US Embassy or Consulate. International visitors who will be paid as indicated above must provide copies of their immigration documents to the host department while physically present in the US at the time of the academic activity (i.e. photocopy of the personal data page of passport and a dark, legible copy of the front and reverse side of I-94 departure card) in addition to a US Social Security number or a US Individual Taxpayer Identification number for tax purposes.

US taxes will be deducted for honorarium payments at a withholding rate of 30%. If the individual is eligible for tax treaty benefits for honorarium payments, they must present a US Social Security number or a US taxpayer identification number for the Payroll Office and complete an application for tax treaty benefits while present in the US. If the individual is unable to provide a US Social Security number or a US taxpayer identification number while present in the US. US taxes will be deducted at the standard 30% withholding rate. The individual may be eligible to apply for a refund from the US government after obtaining a US Social Security number or a US taxpayer identification number by filing a personal US tax return.

If you need an invitation letter for a visa, please email cmas@unc.edu to request one. Please include your mailing address as you would like it to appear on the letter.