Identify Visas Eligible for Travel Reimbursement

Visa Types and the Associated Supporting Immigration Documentation

Departments that host foreign visitors should inform their visitors about Mason’s reimbursement policy to ensure that the visitors have the proper Visas.

Visas Eligible for Travel Reimbursement

VISA TYPE/STATUS	CLASSIFICATION	Copies of the Immigration Documents must be attached to the Reimbursement Voucher
B1 VWB B2 VWT	Visitor for temporary business Visa waiver business Visitor for pleasure Visa waiver tourist	Passport page with passport number and expiration date. Copy of visa. Residents of Canada or a visa waiver country do not have a visa page. Copy of stamped page in passport showing the entry date and the immigration status the inspector allowed the visitor to enter. Complete Certification of Eligibility Form. The visitor should meet the requirements of the certification in order to receive travel expense reimbursement. Under immigration law these rules are known as the “9/5/6 rule”. The purpose of the visit must be for "usual academic activity". The visit must not exceed nine days. Visa holders cannot accept reimbursement for travel expenses from more than five academic institutions within the previous six month period.
F-1 Visa	Student	Passport page with passport number and expiration date. Copy of visa. Copy of stamped page of passportshowing the entry date and the immigration status the inspector allowed the visitor to enter and Copy of I-20 form. Employment Authorization Card, if F1 student is on Optional Practical Training. Letter from the student's visa sponsor stating that F1 students have been authorized to engage in these activities and to receive the reimbursement.
H-1A, H-1B,H-2 O-1/ O-2 P-1/ P-2/ P-3 TN Classification J-1	Temporary Worker Aliens with Extraordinary ability/ Accompanying worker of an O-1 Athlete / Artists or Entertainers/ Aliens providing support to P1 and P2 visa holders Visitor from Canada or Mexico (NAFTA agreement)	Passport page with passport number and expiration date. Copy of visa. Copy of stamped page of passportshowing the entry date and the immigration status the inspector allowed the visitor to enter. Letter from the visa sponsor stating that the visitor has been authorized to engage in these activities and to receive the reimbursement. Note: Work authorized by sponsoring employer. May be reimbursed ONLY for travel expenses and ONLY on occasional basis.
	Exchange Visitor Under Valid Sponsorship by Another Institution.	Passport page with passport number and expiration date. Copy of visa. Copy of stamped page of passportshowing the entry date and the immigration status the inspector allowed the visitor to enter. Copy of DS2019 form, both sides Letter from the student's visa sponsor stating that J1 student has been authorized to engage in these activities and to receive the reimbursement.
J-2 R Visa	Alien spouse of J1	Passport page with passport number and expiration date. Copy of visa. Copy of stamped page of passportshowing the entry date and the immigration status the inspector allowed the visitor to enter. Copy of DS2019 form, both sides Employment Authorization Card.
	Member of bona fide religious organization carrying out religious activity	Passport page with passport number and expiration date. Copy of visa. Copy of stamped page of passportshowing the entry date and the immigration status the inspector allowed the visitor to enter. Copy of DS2019 form, both sides Note: The purpose of the visit to GMU must be associated with the traveler's religious occupation.

Important:
Please note that the table has only the most often used Visa types. Please contact the International Tax Office with questions about visitor’s eligibility for payment.