WT and WB Status

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Not all countries participate in the VWP, and not all travelers from VWP countries are eligible to use the program.

Effective Jan. 12, 2009, citizens or nationals from all VWP countries will be required to obtain an approved travel authorization via ESTA to be eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP.

WT/WB Status
Upon entry into the U.S., visitors are given either a WT (waiver-tourist) or a WB (waiver- business) status that will be indicated on the I-94 Arrival Departure Record. There are two restrictions on visa waiver status that potential users should be aware of:

The 90-day stay in the U.S. cannot in any circumstances, be extended.
It is never possible to change from the visa waiver status to any other non-immigrant status without departing from the U.S.

Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
Partipating countries are subject to change, so it's best to check the U.S. Department of State's web site for the most current information

The Visa Waiver Program vs. J-1 Exchange Visitor Status
U.S. immigration inspectors have wide discretion in granting entry to the U.S. and often do not see Visa Waiver Program 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. In some cases, scholars coming to the University have been denied entry using the visa waiver program because the immigration officer 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. Therefore, it will be at the scholar’s own risk to enter the U.S. as a visitor in lieu of a J-1.

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 (VWP)	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	The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Not all countries participate in the VWP, and not all travelers from VWP countries are eligible to use the program. Effective Jan. 12, 2009, citizens or nationals from all VWP countries will be required to obtain an approved travel authorization via ESTA to be eligible to travel to the United States under the VWP. WT/WB Status Upon entry into the U.S., visitors are given either a WT (waiver-tourist) or a WB (waiver- business) status that will be indicated on the I-94 Arrival Departure Record. There are two restrictions on visa waiver status that potential users should be aware of: The 90-day stay in the U.S. cannot in any circumstances, be extended. It is never possible to change from the visa waiver status to any other non-immigrant status without departing from the U.S. Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)? Partipating countries are subject to change, so it's best to check the U.S. Department of State's web site for the most current information The Visa Waiver Program vs. J-1 Exchange Visitor Status U.S. immigration inspectors have wide discretion in granting entry to the U.S. and often do not see Visa Waiver Program 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. In some cases, scholars coming to the University have been denied entry using the visa waiver program because the immigration officer 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. Therefore, it will be at the scholar’s own risk to enter the U.S. as a visitor in lieu of a J-1. 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.