Guide to Student and Scholar and Work Visas

Here are the most common student and scholar visa types and their key features.

• F-1: Student Visa: (Degree-seeking and approved non-degree programs) 
• J-1: Student: Exchange Student, Research Scholar, Visiting Scholar, Postdoc
• H-1B: Work Visa, Specialty Occupations-Faculty, Postdoc, and some Staff Positions
• B-1/B-2: Short-Term Guests (must be approved by the International Office) 

B-1 (Visitors to SMU):

A tourist visa (B1/B2/WB/WT) status may be appropriate for certain visitors who are invited to SMU under limited circumstances. These visits can be short in duration, the visitor may not be paid, and they will not have a formal appointment at the University or access to University computer systems, labs or facilities.  While at Southern Methodist University they may conduct independent research or conduct business for their employer in their home country.   They may also attend workshops or seminars.  However, if the University is benefiting from the visit, if equipment and facilities used are owned or operated by the University, the contents of the visit and/or research activity undertaken might result in the form of published work, patent or discovery at a later date, and/or the visitor is involved in a formally structured program, use of B1/B2/WB/WT visa will contradict U.S. Department of State guidelines. The Department of State has made clear that any visitor to a U.S. academic institution who engages in a collaborative activity or research, and whose activity will benefit the hosting institution should be sponsored for a J-1 visa and not use a B-1/B-2 Visa. 

Inviting Lecturers under the B-1 Program:   

Individuals may enter the United States to give a lecture with a B-1 (visitor for business) visa or under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). They may be paid an honorarium and be reimbursed by Southern Methodist University for travel and living expenses related to the lecture. 

The lecturer may only be paid an honorarium and/or reimbursement if they have not received payment from more than five other institutions in the past six months and the academic activity lasts less than nine days. 

Lecturers/adjunct faculty who are the faculty of record for the class cannot use the B-1 and must come to the United States on a J-1 visa sponsored by Southern Methodist University.    

The individual should apply for the B-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in their home country. Before applying they will need to request a B-1 Invitation Letter from our office  to use in support of the visa application. The lecturer should then present the B-1 visa and letter of invitation at the port of entry and explain the purpose of the trip. It is important that the visitor enters the United States in B-1 and not B-2 status. Southern Methodist University will be unable to pay the honorarium and reimburse expenses if the lecturer enters in B-2 tourist status. 

Visa Waiver Program for Business/ESTA Activities Permitted at SMU: 

Nationals of specific countries are eligible for the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which allows them to enter the United States without first obtaining a visa from an U.S. Consulate. These individuals are admitted to the United States for the purpose of business (WB) or pleasure (WT). Participants in the VWP may stay a maximum of 90 days and may not extend or change their immigration status while in the United States. 

All travelers wishing to enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program must register with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). They are encouraged to complete the ESTA process no later than 72 hours prior to departure. 

For a list of countries currently participating in the Visa Waiver Program please review the VWP website. 

Important note: Lecturers who have traveled to Syria, Iraq or another country of concern as designated by the Secretary of Homeland Security are not eligible to use the Visa Waiver Program and must apply for a B-1/B-2 visa at the U.S. Consulate. 

Inviting Lecturers under the Visa Waiver Program:  

Individuals may enter the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) to lecture or present at a seminar. They may be paid an honorarium and be reimbursed by Southern Methodist University for travel and living expenses related to the lecture. 

The lecturer may only be paid an honorarium and/or reimbursement if they have not received payment from more than five other institutions in the past six months and the academic activity lasts less than nine days. 

Lecturers/adjunct faculty who are the faculty of record for the class cannot use the Visa Waiver for Business and must come to the United States on a J-1 visa sponsored by Southern Methodist University.    

International lecturers who are eligible for the VWP should present a letter of Invitation from our Office  along with their passport at the port of entry in order to enter the country in WB status (Visa Waiver for Business). It is important that the visitor is admitted in WB status, not for the purpose of tourism.  

Forms: 

Invitation Letter Template