Inviting Short-Term Foreign Visitors

Occasionally, Colorado College departments may have international guests come to our campus to conduct or attend a workshop, participate in a conference, or present a lecture. In such cases, it is appropriate for the individual to come to the U.S. as a business visitor (B-1 or VWB) status), assuming they are not already in the U.S. in another status. This option does not require paperwork from ISSS (i.e. the DS-2019 form for a block visitor), and depending on the individual's country of citizenship, may not even require a visa.

• B-1: Business: The B-1 Category is appropriate for Non-Resident Aliens who wish to come to the U.S. to engage in temporary commercial, business, or professional activities related to their employment or business abroad, provided that the U.S. activity does not constitute "employment" in the U.S. This visa category may be used, for example, to consult with business associates, participate in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences or seminars, or undertake independent research.

OR

• Visa Waiver Program: The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of up to 90 days or less, when they meet all the requirements. Travelers must be eligible to use the VWP and have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel.

How to apply for a B-1 Visa:

1. Determine if your visitor will receive an honorarium or reimbursement for incidental expenses. *Not all visitors may be eligible to receive payment from CC. See Payment to Foreign Nationals page*
2. Download one of the following Sample Visitor letters. Use this sample to draft an invitation letter on CC departmental letterhead. The sample letters include appropriate wording that will help U.S. Embassies/Consulates to clearly understand the nature of the visit to support the request for the B visitor visa.
   • Sample Visitor Letter (no honorarium or incidental expenses)
   • Sample Visitor Letter (payment of honorarium or incidental expenses)
3. Send the completed invitation letter (on Colorado College departmental letterhead) to your visitor.
4. The foreign visitor schedules a visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate in his/her home country.

Note: Canadian visitors do not need to make a visa interview appointment but will simply present the letter of invitation at the U.S. port of entry and request to enter in the appropriate visa category.

5. The visitor presents the CC letter of invitation at the visa appointment. It is at the discretion of the U.S. Embassy/Consulate to grant a visa.

Procedure for VWP visitors:

1. Determine if your visitor is from a VWP participating country.
2. Determine if your visitor will receive an honorarium or reimbursement for incidental expenses.
3. Download one of the following Sample Visitor letters. Use this sample to draft an invitation letter on CC departmental letterhead. Inspection of the letter at the port of entry will determine if the visitor is allowed to enter in the Visa Waiver for Business (VW-B) category or Visa Waiver for Tourism (VW-T).
   • Sample Visitor letter (no honorarium or incidental expenses)
   • Sample Visitor letter (payment of honorarium or incidental expenses)
4. Send the completed invitation letter (on Colorado College departmental letterhead) to your visitor.
5. The foreign visitor must register for online travel clearance through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) no later than 72 hours before their flight.
6. Although a visitor's ESTA may be approved, it does not guarantee that he/she will be admitted to the U.S. All visitors are subject to inspection upon arrival and may be denied entry at the discretion of U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials.

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