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Visa Information
Welcome!
The starting point for coming to ORNL or an ORNL sponsored event is coordinating with your ORNL sponsor. In addition, visitors who are foreign nationals must be present in the United States under an appropriate visa in order to come to lab facilities. The information presented here will help you identify appropriate documentation and apply for necessary visas in a timely manner.
Background
The U.S. is an open society. Unlike some countries, the U.S. does not impose internal controls on visitors, such as registration with local authorities. In order to enjoy the privilege of unencumbered travel in the U.S., however, a visitor has a responsibility to prove to U.S. consular officials abroad and immigration officials at the point of entry into the U.S. that: 1) the purpose of the visit is consistent with the visa he or she has applied for; and 2) the visitor will depart the U.S. on or before the date stated in their visa or other documents.
B-1 Business Visitors
One of the most commonly used visas for visitors to ORNL is a B-1 visa. Visitors can obtain these documents by applying to a U.S. embassy or consulate, and they allow a visitor to remain in the U.S. for up to 90 days to conduct business anywhere in the U.S., such as giving lectures, attending meetings and conferences, and engaging in research at ORNL and/or universities and other facilities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The U.S. issues two types of "B" visas — B-1 for business purposes and B-2 for tourists (there also are two corresponding types of visa waivers — VWB for business and VWT for tourists). You cannot conduct business or research at ORNL on a B-2 visa or a VWT. Before leaving the immigration inspection station at the airport, be sure the immigration official has entered "B-1" or "VWB" on the I-94 card.
A visitor cannot accept employment or work for a U.S. business in the U.S. under a B-1 visa, but he or she may be able to accept an honorarium if offered by a U.S. institution.
Visitors who plan to enter the U.S. on a B-1 visa should submit applications to the U.S. embassy or consulate as soon as possible. The U.S. State Department advises that: Applying for a B-1 visa several months in advance will ensure enough time to conduct the personal interview, review the application, and determine whether a visa will be issued.
The majority of visas can be processed in several days; however, some visa applications require additional administrative processing. This administrative processing time does not include visa application, interview, or preparation. Administrative processing for business visas is currently taking about sixteen weeks. We must stress that you apply for your visa as far in advance as possible.
For detailed information regarding B-1 visas, you must visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_2664.html. This link will also direct you to listings of embassies and consulates in specific countries so that you can find out about their particular directives. You should check your specific embassy/consulate web page for directions on items you will need to bring to the interview. You also may want to take any of the following items that are applicable to the visa interview, even if they are not listed on the website:
1. Your CV;
2. A CV for an accompanying spouse;
3. A publication list;
4. A publication list for an accompanying spouse;
5. An invitation letter;
6. A letter of financial support or documentation about finances; and
7. A detailed itinerary.
Not all business visitors need a visa, however. US law allows citizens from 35 countries to enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program as a B-1 visitor without obtaining a visa. Citizens of the following countries may be eligible for this program:
Andorra |
Iceland |
Norway |
Australia |
Ireland |
Portugal |
Austria |
Italy |
San Marino |
Belgium |
Japan |
Singapore |
Brunei |
Latvia |
Slovakia |
Czech Republic |
Liechtenstein |
Slovenia |
Denmark |
Lithuania |
South Korea |
Estonia |
Luxembourg |
Spain |
Finland |
Malta |
Sweden |
France |
Monaco |
Switzerland |
Germany |
the Netherlands |
United Kingdom |
Hungary |
New Zealand |
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Listed below are some of the requirements necessary to be eligible for the Visa Waiver Program:
1. Be a citizen of one of the listed countries;
2. Possess an e-passport; and
3. Possess an approved entrance authorization, which is obtained online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.
You must visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html for detailed instruction and all requirements.
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