Each SSRL and LCLS proposal SPOKESPERSON (or their authorized lead contact) must inform us about their research team by listing all scientists who may participate in their independent research experiments on their proposals or beam time/support requests,
All users must register through the user portal to provide or update their current contact information before their anticipated visit to SLAC. During the registration process, we are also required to collect biographic and demographic information for DOE reporting.
Generally users from foreign countries obtain a temporary nonimmigrant visa for business purposes (B-1 visa category). 1
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) (link is external) allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the US for less than 90 days when they meet certain requirements. VWP travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel. Upon entry into the US, VWP visitors are given either a WB (waiver- business) or a WT (waiver-tourist).
IMPORTANT NOTE: While a B-1 or WB would generally be appropriate for visiting SLAC's user facilities to participate in short-term user experiments, visas intended for tourism (B2 or WT visa) would NOT be appropriate. Users with B2 or WT visa are NOT eligible to work at SLAC or receive a SLAC ID badge.
CHECK TO CONFIRM THE CORRECT VISA: At the airport, please look at the visa entry stamp in your passport to ensure that the correct status is indicated BEFORE leaving the immigration desk (prior to entering the US customs area to collect your bags). The type of stamp is determined by your selection of business or tourist travel on your online ESTA form, and/or the paper customs form you complete on the plane. If in doubt, please ask the immigration officer. We have experienced a number of cases where an incorrect "tourist" stamp has been applied. In these cases, the user has had to return to the immigration office in San Francisco to have their status corrected prior to receiving a SLAC badge. (see examples)
- There are additional requirements for foreign nationals from certain countries (contact User Research Administration for details). In these cases, the following steps must be completed prior to arrival:
Send passport bio page and visa documents to URA before arrival (send as a single PDF).
Visits will be coordinated with SLAC and DOE.
An SSRL and LCLS host will be assigned to users from certain countries (usually the instrument or beam line scientist will serve as the host).
- Advance approval is required for users from Iran, Sudan or Syria.
Foreign national users who were born in, are citizens of, or represent organizations from Iran, Sudan or Syria, must provide additional information, including a strong justificaiton, to be considered for access to SLAC. ADVANCE REVIEW AND APPROVAL from SLAC and DOE, which can take more than 12 months, ARE REQUIRED BEFORE ANYONE FROM THESE COUNTRIES can visit or receive an ID badge for unescorted access at a DOE facility.
BRING IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTATION TO SLAC
All foreign users must bring their LPR card, passport, visa and US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) documentation to be verified by SLAC Security before receiving a SLAC ID badge for unescorted site access at SLAC's user facilities (see examples in table below).
| COMMON VISIT/VISA TYPES | VISA DOCUMENTS REQUIRED |
|---|---|
|
B-1 Users with B2 TOURIST VISAS ARE PROHIBITED from participating in user experiments. Please ensure that you obtain the correct visa before entering the US. |
I-94 ² |
|
Visa Waiver-Business (VWB) (limited to 90 days) Users with VISA WAIVER TOURIST (WT) VISAS ARE PROHIBITED from participating in user experiments. Please ensure that you obtain the correct visa stamp before leaving the Customs area and entering the US. Consult a CBP supervisor if needed to correct a WT to a WB visa. |
Visa Waiver stamp (stamped inside passport at Customs) Passport |
|
Legal Permanent Residents (LPR) (Also known as Permanent Resident Aliens, PRA’s, and/or “green card” holders) Or Conditional Permanent Residents (CPR) |
Permanent Resident Card (or I-551 stamp in your passport, if you have not received your Permanent Resident card). |
|
Pending Permanent Resident (PPR) [or Employment Authorization Document (EAD)] |
Employment Authorization Card and the receipt notice from INS indicating your petition for Permanent Residence is pending. |
|
H-1B – Temporary Employee Visa O-1 - Extraordinary Ability |
Passport |
|
J-1 – Exchange Visitor
|
and Signed Form DS-2019 |
|
F-1 – Student Visa |
Form I-20 EAD – (Employment Authorization Document) only if using Optional Practical Training (OPT) after I-20 expires. |
|
E-2 Treaty Trader/Investor Visa TN – Canada/Mexico Professionals
|
Passport |
1 DISCLAIMER: This is general information about visas and is NOT intended to be construed as legal advice.
² I-94 Departure Record: Most US Ports of Entry no longer issue a paper I-94 card. After entry into the US, access electronic I-94 records from the USCBP website.
