This document is only a guideline. Please note that Embassy/Consulate procedures are always subject to change and vary Country by Country. It is recommended that you look at your Embassy's/Consulate's particular website first for special procedures unique to the country.

Please note that Getty will NOT provide information or assistance to individuals who will travel to Los Angeles on a B visa or Visa Waiver (ESTA). It is the sole responsibility of travelers to fully acquaint themselves with the visa requirements for entry to the United States and any travel restrictions in this regard.

Travelers who are planning to enter the U.S. with a B visa or ESTA should contact their local U.S. Embassy or Consulate, and consult its website, to find out visa or visa waiver requirements, prior to submitting an application. In addition, they should make themselves aware of any current world events which may affect the ability to obtain a visa/visa waiver or allow travel to the U.S. Understand that visa requirements and world events change frequently so we urge travelers to keep well informed. Be aware that we are only sharing the information on this page; no additional information or assistance will be provided.

For more information, please click on the links below:
Visa Waiver Program/ESTA
Visitor (B) visa

If you have been invited to the Getty in one of the following categories of guests: Project Researcher, Guest Researcher, Visiting Courier, Advisor, External Curator, Visiting Conservator, or Library Research Grantee,

AND

according to your Invitation Letter, or Contract, the Getty provides you with one or more of the following benefits: Transportation, Accommodation, Per Diem, or a Library Research Grant, you should apply for one of the following entry permits:

• B-1 Visa (for Business).
• B1/B2 Visa (for Business and/or Tourism)
• ESTA, if eligible AND only if you already have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN.)
  
  You should not enter the U.S. with:
• B-2 Visa (for Tourism)
• ESTA, unless you have a Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN).
  
  Please tell the immigration officer at the port of entry that the purpose of your visit is business.

To identify which immigration document is best for you, please refer to the U.S. State Department website.

At times, there is some confusion for Guest Researchers, Project Researchers, and Library Research Grantees on whether they should apply for a B-1 visa or a J-1 visa.

• B-1 is appropriate for Researchers conducting an independent research when they do not receive salary/income from a U.S. based source, or when the independent research is not done for the benefit of a U.S. institution. Please note that the benefits and the library grant offered to the categories of Getty guests mentioned above, are not considered salaries/income.


• J-1 visa is appropriate for Researchers conducting an independent research when they receive U.S. payments, or when the independent research is done for the benefit of a U.S. institution.


If you think that, based on your invitation letter/contract, you should enter the U.S. with a J-1 visa, please contact OSIP to explain your concerns to us.

For information about the Business Visitor (B-1) visa and how to apply for one, please visit the U.S. State Department website

The initial length of stay on a B-1 visa can be up to 6 months (it is usually issued for "multiple entry"). However, upon arrival to the U.S. border, it is at the immigration officer's sole discretion to determine if and for how long an individual can stay in the U.S. If the officer feels that a 6 month stay is reasonable to do your research, then the officer may grant you that period of time to stay in the U.S. and he will stamp your passport accordingly. Be prepared to answer questions from the immigration officer about the purpose of your visit.

In order to stay in the U.S. on a B-1 visa for a longer period of time, you can apply for an extension up to one year using Form I-539. You can find information about extensions here: Non Immigrant Extension and how to apply here: I-539 Application

There is no set period of time required to remain outside the United States before you travel back to the U.S. Each time you travel, the immigration authorities at the port of entry needs to be satisfied with the purpose of your trip, and that the trip is for a visit only because you have a residence and obligations outside the United States which you have no intention of abandoning. Be sure to carry with you evidence of your residence and commitments, for example: a job, children in school, etc., outside the United States for presentation to the immigration officer.

Do not apply for ESTA if you do not have U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN). For more information, read the section about Taxes on this page.

ESTA is a Visa Waiver that permits citizens of certain countries to travel to the U.S. for 90 days or less without obtaining B-1 visa when they meet certain requirements. This period cannot be extended. ESTA is usually a straightforward document to obtain and, in most cases, it can be created and printed from your computer. However, plan to apply for ESTA ahead of time because, if you do not meet the necessary requirements, you may be asked to apply for a B-1 visa instead.

If you already have a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN) or an Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) please remember to bring it with you!

To find out if your Country participates in the Visa Waiver Program go to:FAQ ESTA

For information about ESTA please go to: Information on ESTA

For recent updates on the ESTA program please go to:ESTA Updates

The B-2 Visa for Tourism would be appropriate type of visa for:

• your spouse, partner, children, or other guests planning on visiting you during your residency,
• their visit will be recreational in nature, including tourism, vacation (holiday), amusement, visits with friends or relatives, and /or rest,
• they will receive no remuneration,
• they are not from a Country offering ESTA, or they do not meet the necessary ESTA requirements.



Also for the B-2 Visa, the period of time they will be allowed in the U.S. will be determined by the immigration officer at the port of entry.

In order to stay in the U.S. on a B-2 visa for a longer period of time, they can apply for an extension up to one year using Form 1-539. You can find information about extensions here:Extending Non-Immigrant Stay and how to apply here: Form I-539.

Children entering the U.S. on a B-1 and/or B-2 visa, or ESTA, will not be permitted to attend any U.S. public schools.

Generally, Canadian citizens do not require a visa to enter the United States directly from Canada for the purposes of visiting. However, as of 23 January, 2007, all Canadians entering the U.S. require passports. For further information on passport requirements please go to: Visa Requirements for Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada.

If you are a Canadian citizen residing in another country, please contact the local U.S. Embassy/Consulate for the proper procedure.

Medical care in the U.S. can be extremely expensive. We strongly suggest that you arrange for health insurance coverage of at least five hundred thousand U.S. dollars while staying in the U.S.(30-day visitor coverage should be available from your travel agent, a local insurance company, or online for a relatively low cost.) Your policy must be written in English and it must contain a U.S contact/billing address. Please note that, usually, short term insurance policies do not cover expenses relating to pre-existing conditions. If this concerns you, please discuss it with your doctor and with the insurance company that you select.

Please bring sufficient supply of any medicines you require, and check that they are legal in the U.S. Carry a copy of your original prescription, and ensure that both the generic and trade names of the drug are included in case your medication is lost or stolen and you need a replacement. A doctor's note describing why you are taking the medication is also recommended. If you require syringes for a medical condition such as diabetes, carry a supply sufficient to last your entire trip, as well as a medical certificate that states that they are for medical use only. Syringes are usually prohibited in carry-on luggage due to security concerns. Contact your airline before departure to verify their carry-on regulations. For additional information about health care while in Los Angeles, please visit:Medical Institutions.

If you enter the U.S. on a B Visa (or ESTA), your grant (and benefits) will be taxed 30% unless the U.S. government has applicable tax treaties with your country of Legal Permanent Residency.

To see a list of countries with the applicable tax treaties, please view this link:Countries with Treaty Benefits for Scholarship Grants

Please note that, for tax purposes, the amount of the benefits you receive from the Getty includes any monetary compensation, and the value of the non-cash benefits such as accommodation, travel expenses, health insurance, visa fee, etc.

Whether or not income tax is withheld from your grant (and benefits), you are legally responsible for filing U.S. Federal and California State tax returns. At the end of each year the Getty will provide you with IRS form 1042S as well as a statement detailing the amount of your grant and/or the value of benefits received during your residency. Getty Trust Accounting will also send you instructions to access a user friendly online tax program that you will be able to use to prepare your tax return.

In order to report your grant (and benefits) to the IRS, you need to have a U.S. Tax Number. If you do not have one, the Getty will apply for an Individual Identification Tax Number (ITIN) on your behalf, so that you do not need to be burdened with that task. In this case, please make sure that you apply for a B-1 or B-1/B-2 visa to enter the U.S. The IRS will not issue a Tax number to those individuals who enter the U.S. with an ESTA.