Visas

Types of Visas | Eligible for Reimbursement | Ineligible for Reimbursement

Prior to your visit to the U.S. to participate in an IPAM program, it is your responsibility to obtain the appropriate immigration status from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Failure to obtain the proper immigration status will prevent UCLA (IPAM) from reimbursing any travel expenses.  Please email visa@ipam.ucla.edu if you encounter problems or have questions about the information presented below.

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TYPES OF VISAS

B-1 Business Classification Visas

In general, participants and visitors coming from outside the United States, and receiving reimbursements for travel and/or lodging expenses will need to obtain a B-1 (business) visa at their nearest US Consulate. Please visit (http://usembassy.state.gov/) to find your nearest consulate.

Speakers and funded participants may request an official letter of invitation from IPAM to obtain a B-1 visa; please email visa@ipam.ucla.edu to request the letter. Participants without IPAM funding are advised to print out their registration confirmation as evidence that they registered for the IPAM workshop. When applying for the visa, you may request the designation, multiple entry, good indefinitely in order to avoid such trips to the consulate for up to ten years.

At the port of entry, the immigration official will write either B-1 or B-2 on your I-94 card (the small card you fill out on the airplane) which will then be stapled into your passport. Please endeavor to obtain the B-1 classification as it facilitates the reimbursement process.

H1-B Visas

IPAM does not sponsor H1-B Visas. If you hold an H1-B Visa sponsored by your institution, IPAM is not able to reimburse you directly for travel and subsistence. However, arrangements may be made with your home institution to reimburse you on their behalf. If you hold an H1-B visa, please email finance@ipam.ucla.edu as soon as possible so arrangements can be made prior to your visit.

F-1 Student Visas

IPAM does not sponsor F-1 Visas. If you are not a citizen of the United States, but are currently in the country on a valid F-1 Visa, you are also eligible for reimbursement. Simply bring your Visa paperwork, including your I-20 form and passport with you to IPAM.

*NOTE, for RIPS participants on F-1 visas, you'll need to apply for CPT or OPT status through your sponsoring institution.

J-1 Visas

Regardless of what institution is sponsoring your J-1 visa, you are eligible for reimbursement. Simply bring your visa paperwork including your DS-2019 form and passport with you to IPAM.

Should you require information on how to obtain a J-1 visa sponsored by IPAM for participation in one of our long programs, please contact visa@ipam.ucla.edu.

Canadian Citizens

An I-94 is currently not required to enter the USA and receive reimbursement if your stay in the United States is less than nine days. If you expect to receive expense reimbursement and intend to stay longer than nine days, you must ask for an I-94 card marked with a B-1 (business classification) at the land border or port of entry.

Visa Waiver Program WT/WB

If you are coming to IPAM from most countries in Western Europe or Australia, you will be able to receive travel reimbursement from IPAM without an additional visa. At the port of entry, an immigration official will stamp your passport with a WB/WT (Waiver Business or Waiver Tourist) and staple it into your passport with the I-94 card you will have filled out on the airplane.  Visa Waiver Program travelers must present a machine-readable passport (MRP) at the U.S. port of entry.  If you have any questions regarding the Visa Waiver Program, please email visa@ipam.ucla.edu.  For a list of participating countries, please visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

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VISAS ELIGIBLE FOR TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

Aliens possessing an immigration visa or status of one of the following types may be reimbursed for travel and subsistence payments:

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VISAS INELIGIBLE FOR TRAVEL REIMBURSEMENT

Visas NOT Eligible for Reimbursement - Aliens possessing an immigration visa or status of one of the following types may NOT receive any payment while in the United States. This includes reimbursement for travel and subsistence payments:

For additional information regarding guidelines and University Policy regarding the reimbursement of non-resident visitors to IPAM, please visit: http://www.payroll.ucla.edu/alien/alnframe.htm or email us at visa@ipam.ucla.edu

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