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Visitor Information

Information for Workshop Participants and Short-Term Visitors to the MBI:

Visas

Workshop participants and short-term visitors who will be receiving travel and local expenses will need to obtain a B-1 (business) visa at their U.S. Consulate or obtain the "WB" business waiver if your country belongs to the Visa Waiver Program (described in detail below). The B-1 or WB classification allows only for the reimbursement of travel and local expenses; no salary or honorarium can be paid under the B-1 or WB. At the port of entry in the inspection area, the immigration official will write the appropriate visa classification on the white I-94 card which you filled out on the airplane. You must speak up and ask the official for the B-1 designation. Make sure you carry your letter of invitation to the pertinent MBI function with you as evidence of your intent to do business in the U.S. Check your I-94 card for the B-1 classification before you leave the inspection area

The B-2 and WT tourist waiver are strictly tourist classifications and they do not allow for any expense reimbursement at all. If you come to an MBI function on a B-2 or a WT, the MBI will be unable to reimburse you for any expenses related to your trip.

Special information for Canadians:

An I-94 is not required to enter the United States and you will be able to receive reimbursement for expenses if your stay in the U.S. is less than 9 days. If your stay is longer than 9 days and you expect to receive reimbursement, you must request an I-94 card marked with a B-1 business classification at the land border or point of entry. If you stay longer than 9 days and do not have the B-1 marked on your I-94 card, you will be assumed to have the B-2 tourist classification and will receive no expense reimbursement from the MBI.

Visa Waiver Program

If you are from Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, or Uruguay, and will be staying for 90 days or less, you may be eligible to enter the United States on the visa waiver program. You will not have to obtain a visa stamp from an American Consulate. Rather you will be required to present: (a) a passport valid for 6 months beyond your intended visit, and (b) a round trip ticket to any foreign destination other than a territory bordering the U.S. (unless you are a resident there) at the American port of entry. The green I-94 card for the visa waiver program (in contrast to the white for the B-1 classification), issued onboard the airplane, will be stapled into your passport by the immigration official at the inspection point and needs to be marked with the "WB" designation in order to receive reimbursement for travel and local expenses. Check your I-94 card for the WB classification before you leave the inspection area.

Please note that there are several limitations connected with the visa waiver program and include: (a) no extensions or changes of your visa status is permitted; (b) no payment of salary or honorarium is permitted; and (c) you waive your right to challenge the decision if admission is denied.

Use of U.S. Flag Air Carriers

Any air transportation to, from, between, or within a country other the United States, of persons or property, must be performed on a U.S. flag carrier if service provided by such carrier is "available." For more information about this regulation for programs funded by federal money and those few possible exceptions, please refer to the page on The Ohio State University Research Foundation website at http://rf.osu.edu/trv/trv50.cfm#t3.

Reimbursement Requests from the MBI

In order to receive your approved reimbursement from the MBI if you have a B-1 or a WB visa classification, you must submit a copy of the front page of your passport and a copy of your I-94 to the Program Manager before leaving the MBI event you attend.

If: (a) you are already in the United States on a J-1, F-1, or an H-1B visa; (b) you attend an MBI event; and (c) you are approved to receive reimbursement for travel and local expenses, you must submit a completed W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number and Certification Form) to the Program Manager before leaving the MBI event you attend.

W-9 Form

Download or print W-9 Form