Visitor Visas

Short-term visits to IU

Many international visitors come to Indiana University for short-term visits. They might give lectures, consult on the university’s activities, or attend or speak at workshops or conferences.

Short-term visitors, including those coming from an IU partner institution, may enter the United States in business or tourist status if the business activities are strictly limited to consulting, negotiating contracts or partnership agreements, attending scientific or educational conferences or seminars, attending short-term training, or undertaking independent research.

Visitor visa status is generally not used for:

Employment (so IU cannot provide compensation except for limited honoraria or reimbursements [see section below])
Any type of student activity
Any type of educational and/or cultural exchange activity (including faculty, staff, and student exchanges)
Stays longer than 90 days for WB or WT or 6 months for B1/B2 visas

If you have questions about short-term visits, please contact us.

IU Partner Institution Visits

While most visitors coming to IU on an official agreement are required to come as J-1 Exchange Visitors, in some limited circumstances the nature and purpose of the visit to IU may be consistent with the B1/B2 visitor visa or the Visa Waiver Program (WB/WT).

Which visitor status is right for you?

Depending on the nature and purpose of your visit, it may be possible for you to come to the United States on business status (B-1 or WB) if your trip is affiliated with Indiana University. If you are also planning a vacation during your trip, tourist status (B-2 or WT) may be more appropriate.

The border official at the port of entry will determine your status and note it on the entry stamp in your passport. If you have an invitation from IU, you will want to have a copy of the invitation letter with you at the port of entry to provide to the official.

Plan a visit

B-1 and B-2 status

The B-visa category is used for visitors entering the U.S to engage in business or professional activities (B-1) related to their employment or business abroad, or for the purpose of tourism (B-2).

You can apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa at a U.S. consulate. The expiration date of your B-1 or B-2 status will be stamped in your passport upon entry to the United States and will be available on your I-94.

WB and WT status

You can receive WB (Waived Business) or WT (Waived Tourist) status if you are from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Program. If you qualify for WB or WT status, you do not need to get a visa stamp in your passport to enter the United States. You will receive an entry stamp in your passport at the port of entry and have I-94 documentation regarding your status.

Visitors in WB and WT status may not change to a different visa status or extend their stay in the United States.

Learn about the Visa Waiver Program

Honoraria and reimbursements

B-1/WB business status

You may receive travel and per diem reimbursement for the length of your stay.

You may receive an honorarium under the following two conditions:

The activity for which you are being paid will last no longer than nine days
No more than five other institutions have paid you in the past six months

If the activity is expected to last more than nine days, the host department should contact us to discuss which visa status might be more appropriate.

Do I have to pay taxes on my visit?

You might have to. Whether you pay taxes depends on whether you are being paid, as well as your visa status, how long you are in the United States, and if your country has a tax treaty with the United States.

Read about U.S. taxes

B-2/WT tourist status

You may receive travel and per diem reimbursement or an honorarium under the following two conditions:

The activity for which you are being paid will last no longer than nine days
No more than five other institutions have paid you in the past six months