B Status & Visa Waiver

The B status

The B status is for short term visits to the U.S. as either a visitor for “business” purposes (B-1) or as a “tourist” (B-2)
The stay is normally, but not always six months or less
Visitors to Yale should always enter the U.S. as B-1, not as B-2

Only for citizens of certain countries
Identical in permissions to the B status (WB = business, WT = tourist) but limited to 90 days
Do not need a stamp from a US embassy in their passports
Must complete a one-time on-line registration in “ESTA”

When to use Visitor Status
Appropriate: If very short in duration To receive an award, give a lecture, meet with a faculty member Medical Clerkship/ Observer-ship Conduct informal research Business meetings with Yale staff		Inappropriate: If the activity requires a Yale academic appointment such as: VAR Postdoctoral Fellow / Associate Postgraduate Fellow / Associate Visiting Fellow (In these instances a J-1 visa is usually the most appropriate status)

Pros: Does not require issuance of a visa document by the university WB does not require a U.S. visa		Cons: Cannot be used if eligible for a Yale appointment Cannot be salaried May have difficulty at the embassy since it is not a “sponsored” visa Must be for short stays

Maintaining Legal Status — B and Visa Waiver visitors may not: Enroll in classes Be salaried employees Hold long-term positions

Hosting department should send a letter of invitation (to visitor) outlining details of visit

Terms such as "employment" and "student" are not appropriate
More appropriate terms are (depending on the visit) are "observing" "unpaid research" "clerkship"
The letter should explain how the visitor is based outside the US, and what they do
The letter should emphasize how the visitor will not be a salaried employee of Yale

If there will be compensation, it must be honorarium and/or reimbursement for expenses not to exceed 9 days

Please check with the Yale Tax office to see how the visitor would be taxed.

Taxes

Yale Policies

Sample Letters