B1/B2 Visas

Source: The U.S. State Department

This "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the U.S. temporarily for business (B-1) and for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). For example, if the purpose of your planned travel is recreational in nature, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment, and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature, then a vistor visa (B-2) would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel. As additional examples, if the purpose for your planned travel is to consult with business associates, travel for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or conference on specific dates, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract, then a business (B-1) visitor visa would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel.

Current maximum stay in the U.S. for B visas is one year: most are admitted for 6 months or less. The length of stay is decided by the Customs and Border Patrol officer at the U.S. port of entry. The initial period of admission is extendable in six month increments, and there is no absolute limit on the maximum length of stay available in B-2 status.

Visitors to UC Berkeley Departments
Consular officers have wide discretion in granting visas and often do not see the visitor status as appropriate for someone coming to a University to conduct any research, consultation, or even lectures. They sometimes determine that only the J-1 exchange visitor is appropriate for such purposes. Therefore, it is at the scholar’s own risk both to obtain a visa, and to gain admission to the U.S. as a visitor in lieu of a J-1.

In some cases, scholars coming to the University have been denied entry at the U.S. port of entry using visitor status because the immigration inspector determined that the appropriate status was J-1 exchange visitor. The scholars in these cases were required to return to their home country without being able to leave the airport.

It is recommended that you consult with your academic department at UC Berkeley in conjunction with Berkeley International Office to determine the most appropriate status for your visit.

The Visa Waiver Program (a.k.a. WT and WB Visas)
Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa if they meet the visa waiver program requirements. See the Visa Waiver Program to learn more, and find out if you meet the visa waiver requirements.

Payments to B-1, B-2, WB and WT Status Holders
Under certain conditions, people holding these types of status may be paid by a U.S. institution or a nonprofit or governmental organization, honoraria and associated incidental expenses for "usual academic activity." Please check with your host department before choosing the B or Visa Waiver to be sure you are eligible to be paid or reimbursed.


	B1/B2 Visitor Visas	A-Z Index
Home Students Prospective Students New Students Current Students Exchange Students Practical Training Students Summer Students Returning Students Professors & Researchers Prospective J-1 H-1B TN O-1 Permanent Residents B-1/B-2 Visa Waiver Family UCB Departments Students J-1 Researchers & Faculty H-1B Staff TN Staff O-1 Staff B-1/B-2 Visitors Visa Waiver Visitors Permanent Residents Living at Berkeley Transportation Housing Money Health & Safety Legal Resources Cultural Adjustment Travel & Visas Programs & Workshops Calendar Resource Links About Berkeley International Office Staff Contact US	Source: The U.S. State Department This "visitor" visa is a nonimmigrant visa for persons desiring to enter the U.S. temporarily for business (B-1) and for pleasure or medical treatment (B-2). For example, if the purpose of your planned travel is recreational in nature, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment, and activities of a fraternal, social, or service nature, then a vistor visa (B-2) would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel. As additional examples, if the purpose for your planned travel is to consult with business associates, travel for a scientific, educational, professional or business convention, or conference on specific dates, settle an estate, or negotiate a contract, then a business (B-1) visitor visa would be the appropriate type of visa for your travel. Current maximum stay in the U.S. for B visas is one year: most are admitted for 6 months or less. The length of stay is decided by the Customs and Border Patrol officer at the U.S. port of entry. The initial period of admission is extendable in six month increments, and there is no absolute limit on the maximum length of stay available in B-2 status. Visitors to UC Berkeley Departments Consular officers have wide discretion in granting visas and often do not see the visitor status as appropriate for someone coming to a University to conduct any research, consultation, or even lectures. They sometimes determine that only the J-1 exchange visitor is appropriate for such purposes. Therefore, it is at the scholar’s own risk both to obtain a visa, and to gain admission to the U.S. as a visitor in lieu of a J-1. In some cases, scholars coming to the University have been denied entry at the U.S. port of entry using visitor status because the immigration inspector determined that the appropriate status was J-1 exchange visitor. The scholars in these cases were required to return to their home country without being able to leave the airport. It is recommended that you consult with your academic department at UC Berkeley in conjunction with Berkeley International Office to determine the most appropriate status for your visit. The Visa Waiver Program (a.k.a. WT and WB Visas) Travelers coming to the U.S. for tourism or business for 90 days or less from qualified countries may be eligible to visit the U.S. without a visa if they meet the visa waiver program requirements. See the Visa Waiver Program to learn more, and find out if you meet the visa waiver requirements. Payments to B-1, B-2, WB and WT Status Holders Under certain conditions, people holding these types of status may be paid by a U.S. institution or a nonprofit or governmental organization, honoraria and associated incidental expenses for "usual academic activity." Please check with your host department before choosing the B or Visa Waiver to be sure you are eligible to be paid or reimbursed.