Going to the US

Visa or visa waiver

Which visa you need depends on what you will be doing during your stay in the USA, and not always on the length of your stay.

To travel on the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA): Stay for up to three months without working with an American institution. This can, for example, be that you only use library services or have business meetings with people.

There are many websites that offer to apply for ESTA for you for a fee. This is not necessary. Use the official website: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/

If you have a valid visa, you do not need to apply for ESTA.

Applying for a visa:

For stays longer than three months, or if you are going to work at an American institution, you need a visa. As an invited researcher, you will usually apply for a J-1 visa.

The visa application is a three-part process where the first part is registration in SEVIS, an online application followed by a personal interview at the American embassy. You should allow six months from start to finish to apply for a visa.

Accompanying family (spouses and children under 21) receive a J2 visa linked to the J-1 applicant’s visa. Cohabitation status does not qualify for a J2 visa.

How long does it take to get a visa:

It is important to allocate enough time for the visa process. A realistic timeline for applying for a visa:

• January: Receive invitation letter from the American host institution
• April: Receive documents from the host institution and complete the electronic application form. Book a date for the embassy appointment.
• May: Visit the embassy. One to two weeks later, receive the visa and passport.
• June: Travel to the host institution. Travel one to two weeks earlier to arrange practical matters before work starts.
• July: Begin working.

Tax agreement with USA

The tax Agreement with the USA, Article 15, provides an opportunity for exemption from income tax during stays in the USA for up to two years. The agreement allows you to apply for a reduction in income tax, where you only pay the national insurance contribution (trygdeavgift) during the period you work in the USA. 

How to Apply for Tax Exemption

You should apply for tax exemption before you travel.

There isn't a dedicated form for this, so the tax office has recommended using the contact form on the Tax Administration's website. In the contact form, you should make reference to the tax agreement between Norway and the USA, Article 15, and attach Letter of Invitation from the US host institution. The invitation letter should include a brief description of your activities, the period you will be there, and it must be signed.

You will receive a response to this inquiry through your inbox on "Min Skatt" or "Altinn.no." If your application is approved, you will also receive a new tax deduction card with a withholding rate of approximately 10%.

When you return to Norway or no longer have the right to tax exempt, you must remember to go to skatteetaten.no and change your tax card to normal tax deduction rate again. 

Remember, this is a preliminary approval for tax reduction. The final tax exemption must be claimed in your tax return by requesting a reduction in tax.

How to Request Tax Reduction in Your Tax Return

To be able to request tax reduction, your tax return must include a line item for income earned in the USA.

You need to amend your tax return to request the tax reduction. Go to "See all information you can add" and select "Necessary information and documentation for claiming reduced tax or national insurance contributions." Then, choose "Claim for tax reduction under the tax agreement."

Here, fill in the dates of your stay and submit the changes.

If your tax return doesn't include a separate line item for "income earned in the U.S ," you should contact the Payroll section through "hjelp.uib.no."

Employees traveling to the U.S. are therefore requested to purchase local health insurance as recommended by the host institution in connection with the visa application.

Please contact your faculty/unit regarding potential reimbursement of costs for local health insurance.

Health rights and health insurance requirements

HELFO previously had a partner in the USA that handled the reimbursement of health expenses for posted workers to the USA. This agreement was terminated in 2022. There is no change in the coverage for health rights in the USA, but the employee must pay the costs upfront and request reimbursement from HELFO. Alternatively, the employer can cover the costs on behalf of the employee. At UiB, we have proposed issuing our employees with a Eurocard with an increased limit to cover such expenses. We always recommend that everyone traveling for research stays have valid travel insurance for the entire stay.

Since HELFO no longer issues sufficient documentation on health rights, your host institution may require you to purchase local health insurance, even if you have both travel insurance and rights from HELFO. Contact your faculty/unit regarding possible reimbursement of the cost of local health insurance.

Even if you are required to have local health insurance, you may be able to request an exemption by showing the health coverage you have through travel insurance and HELFO. Feel free to contact euraxess@uib.no for assistance with this.

School system in USA

Choice of school may influence the quality of the school. There are several public and private schools in USA.    

The child starts in first grade the year they turn 6 (before school start). Before school start, the child will attend Pree-School or Kindergarten.