Information for WHOI Sponsors

Visa Waiver Program

General Information

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of participating countries to travel to the US for business or tourism without obtaining a US visa. Those entering for business purposes are admitted in WB status. Those entering for purposes of pleasure are admitted in WT status.

A VWP holder may stay in the US for 90 days or less.

The same regulations regarding employment, study and receipt of payments by B-1 and B-2 nonimmigrant also apply to travelers entering the U. S. on VWP in WB or WT status. The nonimmigrant can now accept honorarium payment and associated incidental expenses for an activity lasting no longer than 9 days at any single institution. The payment has to be made for services conducted for the benefit of WHOI and the nonimmigrant cannot have accepted such payments or expenses from more than 5 institutions or organizations in the previous 6-month period.

Basic Procedures to Enter the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program

To enter the U.S. on the Visa Waiver Program, travelers from participating countries must:

• Present a valid passport issued by the participating country and be a citizen or national (not only a resident) of that country.
  
• Seek entry to the U.S. as a nonimmigrant visitor for business/pleasure for a period of 90 days or less
  
• If arriving by air or sea, arrive on a carrier that has signed an agreement with the Attorney General to transport VWP passengers.
  
• Have a return trip ticket to any foreign destination other than a territory bordering on the U.S. or an adjacent island unless; the alien is a resident of an adjacent island; this requirement is waived by the Attorney General under regulations, or the alien is a visitor prior to boarding the aircraft.
  
• Hold a completed and signed Non-Immigrant Visa Waiver Arrival-Departure Form I-94 in which he/she has agreed to waive any right to appeal a denial of entry or order of removal. Form I-94 is available from participating carriers, travel agents and at land-border ports-of-entry.
  
• Not be inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act, nor represent a threat to U.S. welfare, health, safety and security.
  
• Never have violated the terms or conditions of a prior VWP stay.
  

Travelers on the VWP are not eligible for an extension of their status or for a change of their status. If they wish to obtain another nonimmigrant status, the only option is to exit the US and re-enter with a visa in the category they wish to be in.

All Visa Waiver Countries - On and after October 1, 2003, all citizens of visa waiver countries who wish to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program must present a machine-readable passport (MRP).

A list of countries currently participating in the VWP can be located at http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html.