Skip to main content

Cornell University

International Services

Office of Global Learning

Invite B-1/B-2 or WB/WT Visitors

  • Sponsoring Faculty/Staff

This page is for hiring departments. International students and scholars: Please visit Life at Cornell for families to find out how you can bring your spouse or children under the age of 21 to the United States to join you or invite friends and family to visit.

Business and Tourist Visitor Types

B-1/B-2

Speakers or short-term independent researchers who will be at Cornell for six months or less may be eligible for B visitor status. The B-1/B-2 visitor or volunteer program best serves individuals who are planning short visits to one or several U.S. universities. It is not intended for use by a scholar accepting any type of formal academic appointment. Scholars planning short visits to one or more U.S. university campuses may also use the B visa category.

B-1 visa status is for business visitors, while B-2 is for tourists. A Customs and Border Protection officer at the U.S. port of entry will make the final determination. If the business purpose of the visit is not clear, a B-2 visa is issued by default.

B visitors and visa waiver visitors cannot receive any salary or compensation. Reimbursement for expenses (e.g., travel, food, lodging) is allowed, but be careful about recording exactly what is being reimbursed. The visitor can accept an honorarium, but only if the visit to Cornell does not exceed nine days, and the visitor has accepted honoraria from no more than five institutions or organizations within the previous six months.

B visitors and visa waiver visitors cannot register for classes at Cornell. It is against the regulations for a B-1/B-2 or visa waiver status holder to register for classes. 

B visitors and visa waiver visitors might not meet university requirements for volunteers. Generally, if a person is not allowed to work in the United States due to a visa restriction, then they are also prohibited from working as a university volunteer. 

Individuals might have trouble obtaining a B-1/B-2  visa stamp at a U.S. consulate and/or entering the U.S. using a B-1/B-2 visa stamp or visa waiver at a U.S. port of entry if they are coming to Cornell to do research. 

WB/WT

Citizens of certain countries are eligible to enter the United States without obtaining a visa as either business visitors (WB waiver business) or tourists (WT waiver tourist). The eligibility criteria for admission are identical to those seeking admission based on a B-1/B-2 visa.  Application is made through ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) and must occur at least 72 hours in advance.  

WB/WT visitors should present their Cornell letter of invitation when entering the United States. An officer will issue an electronic entry record (I-94) with the notation WB or WT. If the business purpose of the visit is not clear, WT is issued by default. 

WB/WT visitors are limited to three months with no extensions or change of status possible. If the visit will be longer than three months, the visitor should obtain the B-1/B-2 visa stamp or consider another visa classification. 

Note: B-1/B-2 and WB/WT visitors are not permitted to study while in the U.S.

For Applicants: How to Apply for B-1/B-2 

  1. Show Letter
  2. Apply for B-1
  3. Honoraria

1 Take your invitation letter to U.S. consulate. 

Present a letter of invitation from Cornell to a U.S. consulate. The letter must state the purpose of the visit and make it clear that Cornell will pay no salary or compensation for services. The letter can mention reimbursement or honoraria, if the visit will meet honoraria guidelines. It is at the American consul's discretion to grant any visa. 

Sample Invitation Letters

Sample A

[Enter Cornell University Department Letterhead]

[Date]
[Title and Name of Visitor]
[Full Address]

Dear [Title and Name of International Visitor]:

The [Department Name] in the College of [College Name] at Cornell University in [Ithaca, NY], formally invites you to visit Cornell University campus to discuss future research collaborations between Cornell and [Name of visitor's institution or employer] from [begin date] to [end date]. There will be no compensation provided. 

Sincerely,

[Sponsoring Professor Signature]

Sample B

[Enter Cornell University Department Letterhead]

[Date]
[Title and Name of Visitor]
[Full Address]

Dear [Title and Name of International Visitor]:

Thank you for agreeing to present your most recent paper during the conference, [Conference Name], which will be held at the University's [Department/College Name] on [date]. 

The [Department Name] is prepared to compensate you with a $[Amount] USD honorarium and to reimburse you for round trip air fare and travel expenses from [Country of Origin] to [Ithaca], New York.

The United States government permits academic institutions to provide honoraria and reimbursement of expenses to foreign nationals who enter the U.S. B-1 (short-term business) status. However, there are several restrictions within the law. Federal law requires that: 

  • you be present in the U.S. in B visa status or "visa waiver"; 
  • the academic activities at Cornell must not exceed nine business days; 
  • you may not have accepted similar payments from more than five other U.S. institutions during the six-month period immediately preceding your visit to Cornell. 

We look forward to your participation in [Specify Event]. If you have any questions about applying for your visa, please refer to the Department of State’s website: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas.html.

Sincerely,

[Sponsoring Professor Signature]

2 Request B-1 classification at a U.S. port of entry.

When you arrive in the United States, you will be required to request entrance at the U.S. port of entry.

Steps to Follow

  • Present the same letter to an admitting official at a U.S. point of entry and request entrance in the B-1 classification.
  • The officer will note B-1 on your electronic entry record (I-94) if the business purpose is clear. If not, B-2 is issued by default. Either classification is sufficient for reimbursement or honoraria payments.
  • Canadians who wish to be admitted in B status must also present a letter of invitation when entering the United States and receive a properly annotated I-94 entry document. 

3 Fill out an honoraria form if receiving payment. 

If you expect to receive reimbursement or an honorarium payment of any kind from Cornell (find out more here), fill out the Foreign National Honoraria Attestation Form. 

Next Up: Sponsor Permanent Residency