BNL HET & NT: visa info

The following is important information about U.S. visa catagories for foreign nationals visiting Brookhaven National Laboratory (BNL). Because BNL is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), certain regulations must be followed in order for foreign visitors to receive travel-related expenses from the Laboratory. Similar regulations apply at other institutions and universities which are funded by the DOE.

B2, W/T (Waiver/Tourist): NO!

If you visit BNL with one of these visas you cannot be reimbursed for any travel expenses, nor will you be given an appointment to participate at the Laboratory.

W/B: Yes, but limited to a maximum stay of 90 days.

Your travel agent will give you information about the W/B (Waiver/Business) visa. Citizens of the following countries qualify: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.

In addition, you must arrive on an airline that has a waiver agreement with the U.S. government. You must also have a nontransferable round-trip ticket which is refundable only in your home country, or in the country where the ticket was issued. Make certain that when you pass immigration inspection upon entry to the U.S. that your passport is stamped W/B.

B1: Yes

If you do not meet the conditions for a W/B visa, then you must get a B1 visa. This requires a trip to the U.S. Consulate, to whom you must show a letter of invitation to visit from your U.S. host. If you have an active multiple-entry B-1 visa, then you will not need to attend a U.S. Consulate. The B-1 visa limits a single stay to 6 months.

H-1B: Yes

Yes, but you must have a current Form I-797B that covers your employment in the U.S.

J-1: Yes

Yes, but you must have a current Form IAP-66 that covers your association with a U.S. institution. Your J-1 sponsor must provide a letter of concurrence to BNL before you can receive any travel-related expenses.

Permanent residents: yes

If you have been in the U.S. during the past year, you will generally be able to enter as a Permanent Resident. But watch out, there can be problems upon arrival if the immigration inspector thinks your U.S. ties are weak.