B-1 Visa Honoraria

B-1 Visa Honoraria payments and associated incidental expenses for limited usual academic activity or activities such as lecturing, guest teaching, or performing in an academic sponsored festival may be acceptable if they meet certain conditions. See also the related article on B-1 Business Activities.

When are B-1 Visa Honoraria Payments Permissible?

1. A B-1 Visa holder must also be otherwise eligible for admission to the US.
2. A B-1 Visa holder’s activities may last no longer than 9 days at any single institution or organization.
3. B-1 Visa Honoraria Payments may be offered by an institution or organization that can be classified as: (a) an institution of higher education (as defined in §101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965), or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity; or (b) a nonprofit research organization or a US Government research organization.
4. B-1 Visitor Honoraria Payments are for services conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and
5. The B-1 Visitor has not accepted Honoraria Payments or expense reimbursement from more than 5 institutions or organizations over the last 6 months.

Other Information on B-1 Visa Honoraria Payments

• B-1 Visa Honoraria Payments may be made to individuals who hold Waiver Business (WB) status, i.e., individuals who entered the US under the Visa Waiver Program in B-1 Visa status.
• B-1 Visa Honoraria Payments may not be made to individuals who hold B-2 Tourist Visitor or Visa Waiver Tourist status.
• There is no limit in the amount of B-1 Visitor Honoraria Payments.  Only the length of activities at any one particular institution and the number of institutions per 6 month time period are limited.
• B-1 Visa Honoraria Payments may not be made to individuals who hold H-1B or O-1 status under the sponsorship of an entity other than the institution that is to pay the Honorarium, as those individuals are work authorized in the US only for work performed for their particular H-1B Visa or O-1 Visa sponsors.