B-1/B-2

Related Links

• Letter of Invitation to a Foreign Visitor
• US Embassies and Consulates
• Visa Waiver Program

B-1/B-2 Nonimmigrant Visa for Temporary Visitors for Business and Pleasure

Many international visitors come to UT Dallas for short-term visits. These visits must not involve employment, active research, or classroom instruction. Typical permitted activities include:

• Delivering a one-time academic lecture or presentation.
• Participating in a professional consultation or evaluation meeting.
• Attending or speaking at academic conferences or symposia.
• Observing academic or research activities without hands-on involvement (e.g., shadowing a lab without conducting experiments).

Short-term visitors may enter the United States in business or tourist status. This visa does not allow for paid or unpaid employment or study.

• B-1 is for temporary business visitors (e.g., attending meetings/conferences, or negotiating contracts).
  Example inquiry: “I have been invited to attend a three-day seminar at UT Dallas and observe ongoing research in the chemistry department. I will not be conducting experiments or receiving compensation. Does this qualify under B-1 status?”
• B-2 is for temporary visitors for pleasure (e.g., tourism, visiting family, or receiving medical treatment).
• The B-1/B-2 combination visa allows for both purposes under a single visa classification.

Restrictions for B-1/B-2 Visa Holders

Individuals in the United States on a B-1/B-2 visa are strictly prohibited from engaging in employment or academic study. This includes:

• Paid or unpaid work of any kind
• Activities considered “labor for hire”
• Enrollment in any course of study, including at institutions certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)

Examples of prohibited activities include:

• Enrolling in a degree program or taking credit-bearing courses.
• Working in a lab or office, even if unpaid.
• Conducting hands-on research or using university equipment for independent study.

Example: A visitor observing a lab seminar is permitted under B-1 status. However, actively assisting in an experiment or analyzing data would be considered unauthorized work.

Engaging in these activities is a violation of U.S. immigration law and may result in serious consequences, including removal from the country and ineligibility for future U.S. visas.

Permissible Payments for B-1/B-2 Visa Holders

Visitors in B-1, B-2, WB, or WT status may be eligible for reimbursement of expenses and/or honorarium payments, but only under specific conditions:

Permitted:

• Reimbursement for reasonable travel and incidental expenses (e.g., lodging, meals, transportation).
• Honorarium payment for usual academic activities (e.g., lectures, conferences, seminars), if all of the following are true:
  • The activity lasts no more than nine (9) days at UT Dallas.
  • The visitor has not accepted similar payments from more than five (5) institutions in the past six (6) months.
  • The activity is conducted for the benefit of UT Dallas.

Not Permitted:

• Employment or work for hire.
• Long-term or ongoing services.
• Study or enrollment in academic programs.

Important: Violating these conditions may result in visa violations and future entry restrictions.

Example: A visiting professor from France giving a keynote address at a two-day UTD conference may be eligible to receive an honorarium, provided all conditions above are met.

If the activity is expected to exceed nine (9) days, the host department should contact Tax Compliance and the HR Employment Immigration Team in Human Resources to determine the appropriate visa classification.

Visitors in B-1 or B-2 status may be reimbursed for reasonable travel expenses and per diem (e.g., lodging, meals, and incidentals) incurred during the course of their visit, provided the reimbursement is for expenses only and not compensation for services rendered. This type of reimbursement is permitted under U.S. immigration regulations as long as the visitor is participating in legitimate academic activities (such as attending a conference or giving a lecture) and the reimbursement does not constitute payment for employment.

Permitted	Prohibited
Giving a guest lecture	Teaching a course
Attending academic conferences	Enrolling in a degree program
Observing lab work without involvement	Conducting research or experiments
Participating in panel discussions	Performing hands-on tasks or analysis

Engaging in activities outside these parameters may violate U.S. immigration law and could result in penalties for both the institution and the visitor.

Application

Short-term visitors may apply for a B-1 (business) or B-2 (tourist) visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Upon entry to the United States, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will determine the length of stay and issue an I-94 record, which documents the visitor’s authorized period of stay. The expiration date of the visa itself does not determine how long the visitor may remain in the United States—only the date on the I-94 does.

It is important not to overstay the authorized period indicated on the I-94, regardless of the visa’s expiration date, as doing so may result in serious immigration consequences, including future visa ineligibility.

Check Your I-94 Record: Your I-94 record determines how long you are authorized to stay in the U.S.—not your visa expiration date. You can view or print your I-94 at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.

Visa Waiver Program

Visitors from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries may enter the U.S. without a visa under WB (Waiver Business) or WT (Waiver Tourist) status for up to 90 days. They must have an approved ESTA and will receive an entry stamp and I-94 record upon arrival. They are not permitted to extend their stay or change to another visa status while in the U.S. and must engage only in activities allowed under B-1/B-2 classifications.

Example: A faculty member from the United Kingdom attending a UTD-hosted engineering symposium for five (5) days under the WB (Waived Business) category does not require a B-1 visa, provided they meet Visa Waiver Program eligibility and do not receive compensation.