There are two visa categories for business observers: (1) Visa Waiver with “Business” Classification or (2) B-1 “Business” visa status.
Business visitors who are coming to the United States may:
observe
represent a foreign firm in business
attend business related meetings
attend conferences
PLEASE NOTE: “Business” classification/visa status does not permit participation in unpaid research or “volunteering.” Researchers not paid by the U.S. hospital must be sponsored for J-1 Exchange Visitor visa status. Those who are in “Tourist” visa status are not authorized to participate at the hospital under any circumstances.
Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) with "Business" ("WB") classification
This program allows observers with citizenship from a SPECIFIC list of countries to enter the U.S. for up to 90 days without a visa. Click here to view the list of citizens eligible for Visa Waiver. If a traveler is found to have visited a country designated as State Sponsor of Terrorism, the traveler is no longer eligible to participate in the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a visa to enter the United States.
Foreign nationals traveling with Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) are eligible for two different classifications: one is for "Tourism" ("WT") and the other is for "Business" ("WB"). Hospital observers must enter the U.S. with “Business” ("WB") classification.
If you do not have citizenship from the listed Visa Waiver countries, or if you will stay in the U.S. for more than 90 days, you will need to obtain a B-1 (or B-1/B-2) visa from an American Embassy/Consulate (see below for more information about B-1 “Business” Visa Status).
How to initiate Visa Waiver with “Business” classification
1) Your U.S. hospital department must write a letter of invitation on letterhead and send it to you.
2) You must pre-register online through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). You must pay a small fee and have a machine-readable passport. You will NOT go to the American Consulate or Embassy and will not obtain a visa in your passport for Visa Waiver.
3) You must carry the following items on your carry-on luggage and present them to the Immigration officer when entering the United States:
Your passport valid at least 6 months into the future
A paper printout of your ESTA approval
Your letter of invitation from the U.S. hospital department
A round-trip ticket to and from the U.S.
4) The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP) will review your documentation and issue a Form I-94 arrival/departure record. The I-94 will reflect the class of admission or “WB” (Visa Waiver with “Business” classification) and length of permitted stay.
After entry to the U.S., go to http://www.cbp.gov/I94 and enter your information on the website. Be sure to type your name as it is spelled at the bottom of the machine-readable section of your passport.
Print a copy of your new electronic Form I-94 and keep it in your passport.
Review your I-94 information. The “Admit Until Date” is the last day you are permitted to stay in the U.S.
5) If you provided your email address during your online ESTA application process, CBP will email you 30 days before your ESTA application expires, or if there is a change in your ESTA status. Your departure from the United States is documented electronically.
An extension of stay or a change to a different visa status while in the U.S. is not allowed. You cannot be paid from a U.S. source for your business activity.
B-1 "Business" Visa Status
Although B-1 “Business” Visa Status allows observers to enter the U.S. for up to 6 months, specific hospital policy will dictate the maximum period of observation.
Foreign nationals traveling with B visas are usually eligible for two different visas: one is for "Tourism" ("B-2") and the other is for "Business" ("B-1"). Hospital observers must enter the U.S. with B-1 “Business” Visa Status.
Obtaining a B-1 visa at a U.S. consulate abroad may be nearly impossible for people from certain countries. This may be due to a high incidence or suspicion of fraud, poor relations with the U.S., or inability to demonstrate to the consulate that the visit is truly temporary.
How to initiate B-1 “Business” Classification
You cannot be paid from a U.S. source for your business activity. If you already have a valid B-1/B-2 visa in your passport, the only step you may omit in this process is the B visa application at the American Embassy/Consulate.
1. Your U.S. hospital department must write a letter of invitation on letterhead and send it to you.
2. You must present your invitation letter to obtain a B-1 visa from an American Embassy/Consulate. You must indicate how long you intend to stay in the U.S. (not more than 6 months in total).
3. B-1 visa processing times will vary depending on where you apply for the visa. You can see a listing of wait times. The actual visa issued in your passport usually lists both B-1 (Business) and B-2 (Tourist) on it. Whether you will be admitted with B-1 or B-2 will be determined by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer when you enter the U.S.
4. You must carry the following items on your carry-on luggage and present them to the Immigration officer when entering the United States:
Your passport valid at least 6 months into the future
Valid B-1 visa
Your letter of invitation from the U.S. hospital department
A round-trip ticket to and from the U.S.
5. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer (CBP) will review your documentation and issue a Form I-94 arrival/departure record. The I-94 will reflect the class of admission business (B-1) or tourism (B-2).
After entry to the U.S., go to www.cbp.gov/I94 and enter your information on the website. Be sure to type your name as it is spelled at the bottom of the machine-readable section of your passport.
Print a copy of your new electronic Form I-94 and keep it in your passport.
Review your I-94 information. The “Admit Until Date” is the last day you are permitted to stay in the U.S.
