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B-1 & Visa Waiver for Business (WB)

These nonimmigrant visa categories allow short-term visitors to come to the United States to conduct business, present a lecture, and attend conferences, seminars and other business meetings. Detailed information can be found on the Department of State's Visitor Visa webpage.  

These visa classes DO NOT allow employment, but allow honoraria and per diem payments to be made, provided that the visitor's stay at the university is no longer than 9 days and the visitor has not accepted reimbursements from more than five other institutions in the United States during the preceding 6-month period.

Please note:

  • Honoraria and reimbursements to persons in these visa categories may be subject to substantial tax withholding and you may wish to contact the Duke Accounts Payable Office for further information on taxation and review the information on Duke's Financial Services Procurement website.
  • Duke department administrators inviting a B-1/WB/B-2/WT visa holder to Duke should review the information regarding Reimbursement and Honorarium payments on our Duke Visa Services Administrators webpage.

As of April 12, 2002, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) prohibits the enrolling in a course of study  while in B-1 or B-2 status. Detailed information can be found on the Department of State's Visitor Visa webpage.

NOTE: Canadian citizens who enter the United States without any documentation are considered to be admitted in joint B-1 (Visitor for Business)/B-2 (Visitor for Tourism) immigration classification.

Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015

Under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

  • Effective 1/21/2016, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP): Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).

These individuals will still be able to apply for a visa using the regular immigration process at our embassies or consulates. For those who need a U.S. visa for urgent business, medical, or humanitarian travel to the United States, U.S. embassies and consulates stand ready to process applications on an expedited basis.

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