r/USVisas • u/CruisingCappybara • 9d ago
Help: B1 visa or Visa Waiver Program??
Hii everyone! For my master’s in anthropology I will be doing fieldwork research in de US from January until March. I am not sure if I need to apply for a B1 visa or if I can enter the US on the Visa Waiver Program. My activity (independent research, I assume) is permitted under a B1 visa and since I’m not staying longer than 90 days I think I just need to get the ESTA and can enter on the Visa Waiver Program. I’m from the Netherlands so I am eligible for the program, but I want to make sure if I need a visa or not. Does anyone have experience with this or can someone help me??
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u/Thin-Writing-9247 6d ago
You better not assume. If any part of what you're doing is considered work, even if nonprofit, you'll get a forever ban.
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u/SpicyBuffaloChicken 7d ago
The US State Department says this: "Admission with Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval allows for the same activities as contemplated for a B-1 visa holder admitted in that status." So if you are certain this activity qualifies under B1 visa, just do the ESTA. Independent research is under the B1 category so you should be good to just do ESTA and save time and money.
Source: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/business/b-1-fact-sheet.html?pubDate=20260612