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B-Category Visas
The B-1 visa category is for visitors coming to the United States for short-term visits for business and the B-2 is for short-term visits for pleasure. The visa is often issued as B-1/B-2 to most applicants and is usually for up to 90 days. There is no paid employment under this category, although it may be possible to reimburse the visitor for travel expenses or pay an honorarium. This particular visa is appropriate for foreign faculty who are visiting Smith College for several days but less then a total of 9 days. They may engage in a symposium, attend a conference or give several lectures.
Note: As of 20 January 2010 faculty traveling to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver program, must now apply for on-line authorization. Please go to www.cbp.gov/esta to complete the required forms. You will not be able to board a flight to the U.S. unless you have completed an application and have been authorized to travel.
H-1b Visa (specialty Occupations/Faculty Appointments)
Departments who are hiring foreign faculty currently in the U.S, or are interested in changing the status for a certain faculty member to extend their appointment, should consult with the office for International Students & Scholars to determine if the position is eligible for H-1b status. For permanent appointments of faculty and researchers, or for tenure-track faculty members, the H-1b visa status is the most appropriate.
The college provides a combination of grant and loan assistance to faculty members who are applying for H-1b visa status. All applications and processing for this type of visa is currently handled by the Immigration Law Offices of Curran & Berger Associates in Northampton.
O-1 Visa (Workers of Extraordinary Ability)
This particular type of visa is reserved for individuals who have a world-wide reputation of scholarly work and research. The O-1 visas are employer specific which means that in most cases they are employed by the institution which issues the O-1 visa much like the H-1b. They cannot be paid honoraria nor can they be reimbursed for expenses by another institution or employer. In some cases O-1 visas are issued to persons in the arts who are sponsored by an agent or agency through which they can act as independent contractors. They may engage in performances and other incidental work that relates to the main purpose of the O-1 visa, and therefore be eligible to receive payment.
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