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MU
() These are visitors for business and tourism, respectively, but the requirement for a passport visa stamp is waived for citizens of these countries: 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, and the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom refers only to British citizens who have the unrestricted right of permanent abode in the United Kingdom, which includes England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. It does not refer to British overseas citizens, British dependent territories' citizens, or citizens of British Commonwealth countries. Important: The WB or WT status only allows the visitor to stay for a period of up to 90 days. No extensions are allowed. Change to another status within the U.S. is also NOT allowed. In the aftermath of September 11, 2001, the U.S. State Department has indicated that some countries may be excluded from the visa waiver program. Visitors will need to check with the U.S. embassy in their country to make sure that their country is still eligible before they travel. This information will be updated, as new information becomes available. Visitors from one of the above countries who come in WB or WT status need to check with their airline to make sure it participates in the program. The visitor will be given a green colored Arrival/Departure card (I-94) on the plane to fill out. This card will be stamped by the INS official at a U.S. port-of-entry. All guests coming to MU for "business purposes" (including speaking at a conference, giving a talk on-campus, collaborating with professional colleagues, etc.) should enter the USA in WB immigration status. As a result, it is crucial for the visitor to make known the business nature of the activity with the immigration officer at the port of entry so the WB notation can be made on the Form I-94. Persons entering the USA in WT status are presumed to be tourists. While a payment may be allowed to someone in WT status if they enter for legitimate tourist purposes and then have an offer to come to MU, the Department of Homeland Security prefers that the status type most accurately reflect the US activity and believes that WB is more appropriate for persons receiving payment or reimbursement of expenses for their business activities at MU. When planning for an overseas visitor who will be provided an honorarium payment or reimbursement of expenses, the department should contact Judy Todd, the MU Nonresident Alien Taxation Specialist at ToddJ@missouri.edu for a preliminary review of the tax obligations of the visitor and to schedule a tentative appointment for them to meet during the visitor's brief stay at MU. Entering the U.S. in WB StatusStep 1. Visitor needs to receive a letter of invitation from the MU department. The letter of invitation needs to include: statement of invitation, exact dates of visit, purpose of the trip, activities during visit, is funding provided, if no funding is provided what is the funding (i.e. personal funds, etc.) See Sample Letter.
Step 2. Visitor needs to check with airline to make sure the airline participates in the program. Step 3. Visitor enters the U.S. Step 4. Visitor needs to present to the customs officer:
For the most current information, go to the U.S. Department of State. For more information about Claiming Tax Benefits, Tax Treaty exemptions from withholding of federal tax, and Payment for persons in Visitor Status (B-1, B-2, WB, WT, and Canadians without documentation who are, nonetheless, in the US for business or tourism purposes) etc. go to the Office the Cashiers web page to learn about paying non-resident aliens. |
