University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
June 22 26, 1998
For reimbursement of travel and per diem to be possible, the recipient must fall into one of these categories:
Our understanding is that this option is available only to participants from the following countries:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
A holder of a B-2 (tourist visa) cannot receive travel or per diem reimbursement. Only the free housing can be provided to the holder of a B-2 visa.
Please read the following letter written by the Institute of International Studies and Programs at the University of Minnesota. PLEASE PAY PARTICULAR ATTENTION TO THE INFORMATION ABOUT NOTATIONS IN THE I-94 FORM. AN INCORRECT NOTATION IN YOUR I-94 FORM WILL MEAN THAT YOU CANNOT BE REIMBURSED.
You will need a B-1 visa or WB status in order for the University to reimburse (travel, per diem) expenses. Present your letter of invitation from our department when applying at the American embassy or Consulate for your visa. This will explain your need for the B-1 for entry into the U.S. so that reimbursement for travel and per diem can be paid.
If you are from a country that participates in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program (see the list at the end of this message), you should present the letter when you enter the U.S. and go through the U.S. Customs/Immigration inspection.
**BE SURE** that when you are going through the U.S. Customs/Immigration inspection that the I-94 card (a small card which is usually stapled into the passport), issued by the INS officer at that time clearly specifies B-1 or B-1/B-2 on it. **A "B-1" VISA STAMP IN THE PASSPORT IS NOT SUFFICIENT.** The University of Minnesota cannot reimburse your expenses without a "B-1" notation in some form on the I-94.
For participants in the Visa Waiver Pilot Program, a "WB" (for waived business) is necessary on the I-94. Persons with "WT" (for waived tourist) on the I-94 may not receive any reimbursement from the University of Minnesota, and there is no possibility for correcting this status after you are in the United States.
Even though you may be tired and in a hurry, **YOU MUST CHECK YOUR I-94** before leaving the INS/U.S. Coustoms checkpoint. Later corrections may be impossible (in the case of WB/WT); or even where possible, processing may take six weeks or more and require a $70 fee.
For more information please click here: ISSS website on reimbursement policies
List of countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, San Marino, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
(Last updated: April 17)