Carnegie Mellon University

Inviting Visitors — B vs J status

At OIE, we warmly welcome visitors to the Pittsburgh campus. If you are planning to visit the Pittsburgh campus, you are invited to email or meet with an OIE advisor if you have questions about your visit. US immigration regulations require that people enter the US using the visa/immigration status that best matches their proposed activity in the U.S. This page offers information for host departments and non-U.S. citizens planning to visit the U.S. for professional reasons to consider which immigration status may be appropriate. We encourage host departments and incoming visitors who have questions about B/ ESTA or J status to direct them to an OIE advisor. People who attempt to enter the U.S. using an incorrect status may be denied entry or barred from re-entering the U.S. in the future.

Visiting the U.S. in J-1 Status

Most academic visitors will enter the U.S. as J-1 research scholars, short-term scholars, student interns, or professors. J-1 status is useful for an academic visitor with a research or teaching purpose. This is particularly true of those who visit for several months or longer or who will be employed and/or conducting research. J-1 status is most appropriate for visitors who will either be employed by Carnegie Mellon or engaged in research in collaboration with a CMU faculty member/researcher, such as a Collaborating Visitor or someone who will have a formal or assigned status or space at the University. This may include students abroad who will be engaged in research at Carnegie Mellon. The process for requesting aJ visitor starts with the host department. The CMU hosting department coordinates the invitation and supporting paperwork with OIE. If the visitor will not be paid, the host department must also submit the Collaborating Visitor Questionnaire to Visitor Support.

The DS-2019 will be sent to the visitor with instructions on proceeding with the visa application and arriving in Pittsburgh.

All J scholars must check in with OIE upon arrival as outlined in the detailed materials that are mailed with the DS-2019 document before arrival. Failure to check-in in a timely manner will result in the loss of legal J status in the U.S.

Visiting the U.S. in B Visitor Status

Short-term visitors who will not be engaged in "work" or who would not be considered to be "Collaborating Visitors," may be able to use the B Visitors visa to enter the U.S. There are several B categories: B-1 visitor for business, B-2 visitor for pleasure and B Visa Waiver Program, also known as ESTA. The ability to use the Visa Waiver Program (which does not require an advance application for a U.S. visa stamp in the passport before arrival in the U.S.) depends upon (1) nationality and (2) length of anticipated stay (90 days or less.)

The State Department outlines what they consider appropriate uses of the B-1 visitor for business status including: consulting with business associates or participating in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences or seminars.

At the U.S. port of entry, visitors to Carnegie Mellon should present an official letter from the inviting department outlining the purpose of the visit, the intended length of stay, and the intent to cover related business expenses (if appropriate).

B-1 visitors for business are admitted to the U.S. "for a period of time which is fair and reasonable for completion of the purpose of the trip," based primarily on the amount of time that the visitor needs to complete the anticipated business purpose, not to exceed one year. The allotted time period is noted in the electronic I-94 recordwhich must be obtained online. Anyone who has questions about extending B status after arrival in the U.S. should discuss this issue with an OIE advisor well before the expiration date noted on the I-94. Those who entered the U.S. using the Visa Waiver Program may not extend their stay or change their status within the U.S.

Employment vs. Reimbursement

Employment in the U.S. is not allowed if the individual is in visitor status, but reimbursement or honoraria may be allowed if related to the B-1 activity. The total amount of such payments cannot exceed what is "reasonable." An academic honorarium may be paid to individuals who will be at an academic institution for nine days or less and have not been paid by more than five institutions in the previous 6-month period. Non-immigrants in B status may not be employees of Carnegie Mellon.