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Contact
Mathematical Biosciences Institute
The Ohio State University
Math Building, 2nd Floor
231 W. 18th Avenue
Columbus, Ohio 43210
PHONE: 614-292-3648
FAX: 614-247-6643
E-mail: rebecca@mbi.osu.edu
Directions to the Holiday Inn on the Lane
Directions to the MBI from the Holiday Inn
Information for Workshop Participants and Short-Term Visitors to
the MBI
Visas
Workshop participants and short-term visitors who will be receiving
travel and local expenses will need to obtain a B-1 (business) visa
at their U.S. Consulate or obtain the "WB" business waiver
if your country belongs to the Visa Waiver Program (described in
detail below). The B-1 or WB classification allows only for the
reimbursement of travel and local expenses; no salary or honorarium
can be paid under the B-1 or WB. At the port of entry in the
inspection area, the immigration official will write the appropriate
visa classification on the white I-94 card which you filled out
on the airplane. You must speak up and ask the official for the
B-1 designation. Make sure you carry your letter of invitation to
the pertinent MBI function with you as evidence of your intent to
do business in the U.S. Check your I-94 card for the B-1 classification
before you leave the inspection area.
The B-2 and WT tourist waiver are strictly tourist classifications
and they do not allow for any expense reimbursement at all. If you
come to an MBI function on a B-2 or a WT, the MBI will be unable
to reimburse you for any expenses related to your trip.
Special information for Canadians:
An I-94 is not required to enter the United States and you will
be able to receive reimbursement for expenses if your stay in the
U.S. is less than 9 days. If your stay is longer than 9 days and
you expect to receive reimbursement, you must request an I-94 card
marked with a B-1 business classification at the land border or
point of entry. If you stay longer than 9 days and do not have the
B-1 marked on your I-94 card, you will be assumed to have the B-2
tourist classification and will receive no expense reimbursement
from the MBI.
Visa Waiver Program
If you are from Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark,
Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein,
Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal,
San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the
United Kingdom, or Uruguay, and will be staying for 90 days or
less, you may be eligible to enter the United States on the
visa waiver program. You will not have to obtain a visa stamp from
an American Consulate. Rather you will be required to present:
(a) a passport valid for 6 months beyond your intended visit, and
(b) a round trip ticket to any foreign destination other than a
territory bordering the U.S. (unless you are a resident there) at
the American port of entry. The green I-94 card for the visa
waiver program (in contrast to the white for the B-1 classification),
issued onboard the airplane, will be stapled into your passport
by the immigration official at the inspection point and needs to
be marked with the "WB" designation in order to receive
reimbursement for travel and local expenses. Check your I-94
card for the WB classification before you leave the inspection area.
Please note that there are several limitations connected with the
visa waiver program and include: (a) no extensions or changes of
your visa status is permitted; (b) no payment of salary or honorarium
is permitted; and (c) you waive your right to challenge the decision
if admission is denied.
Use of U.S. Flag Air Carriers
Any air transportation to, from, between, or within a country other
the United States, of persons or property, must be performed on
a U.S. flag carrier if service provided by such carrier is "available."
For more information about this regulation for programs funded by
federal money and those few possible exceptions, please refer to
the page on The Ohio State University Research Foundation website
at http://rf.osu.edu/trv/trv50.cfm#t3.
Reimbursement Requests from the MBI
In order to receive your approved reimbursement from the MBI if
you have a B-1 or a WB visa classification, you must submit a copy
of the front page of your passport and a copy of your I-94 to the
Program Manager before leaving the MBI event you attend.
If: (a) you are already in the United States on a J-1, F-1, or
an H-1B visa; (b) you attend an MBI event; and (c) you are approved
to receive reimbursement for travel and local expenses, you must
submit a completed W-9 (Request for Taxpayer Identification Number
and Certification Form) to the Program Manager before leaving the
MBI event you attend.
W-9 Form
Download or print
W-9 Form
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