Quick Guide - Foreign Visas Travel Reimbursement

For more details see:

Guidelines for Reimbursing Foreign Visitors for Travel Expenses

GLACIER Tax Compliance System (Payroll web site)

Visa Classifications and Work Authorization (Payroll web site)

Common Visa Types at UC Berkeley and Required Documentation
Visa Type Required Documentation
F1 and J1 Students / Visiting Scholars UC W8-BEN

Copy of I-94

Copy of Passport
H1B Professionals Working in Specialty Occupations UC W8-BEN

Copy of I-94

Copy of Passport
BT and WT Tourist Visas Copy of I-94

Copy of Passport

Certification of Academic Activity (pdf)

Limited to 9 days or less
B1 and WB Business Visas Copy of I-94

Copy of Passport

Certification of Academic Activity (pdf)

B-1, B-2, WB, WT Visas and Travel Expense Reimbursement

The UC Berkeley Travel Office has been advised by the University of California Office of the President that B-1 visa holders and foreign travelers with a WB classification can be reimbursed for travel expenses. Please see the information below for details.

Background

Under the Competitiveness Workforce Improvement Act of 1998, payments to foreign visitors with B-1 and B-2 visa types and those traveling on a Waiver for Business (WB) or Waiver for Tourist (WT) were limited. UC Berkeley visitors traveling on one of these visa types or waivers could only receive reimbursement for travel expenses if they met the requirements of the Certification of Academic Activity form.

B-2 visas and WT classifications

Foreign travelers visiting UC Berkeley on a B-2 visa or a WT classification are considered tourists and must complete the Certification of Academic Activity form. To receive travel expense reimbursement, these travelers must meet the following criteria:

Important note: Departments that host foreign visitors should inform the visitors about this policy to make sure they have the proper visas. No provisions for exceptions exist, since making exceptions would put UC Berkeley at risk of losing its federal funding.