University of Wisconsin–Madison

COMPARISON OF J-1 VS. B-1/B-2

For unpaid visitors to the UW–Madison campus.

CAN I…J-1 Scholar
(Employee of UW–Madison)		B-1 Visitor/Visa Waiver Program (VWP/ESTA)
(Non-employee or visitor to UW–Madison)
Get a University ID (Wiscard)?Yes; contact your Department to arrange.No
Get Wiscmail (myUW) or UW department email?Yes; contact your Department to arrange.No
Get a NetID?Yes; contact your Department to arrange.The Guest NetID application has been decommissioned.
Get access to Learn@UW?Yes; contact your Department to arrange (through NetID).Special non-NetID account only—only for someone who is not eligible for a NetID.
Get a formal UW appointment?Yes; contact your Department to determine which title is appropriate (Honorary vs. $0 Visiting).No; Visitors can volunteer only (Department should complete necessary paperwork for the Liability Program from Risk Management).
Get access to UW facilities, including the libraries?Yes, contact your Department to arrange.

Note: if export controls apply to a location, the Department must contact the Export Control Office to ensure access can be granted.		No; Visitors should access UW buildings and facilities as a member of the public only.
– Libraries – Visitor Information (Daily visitor pass)

– Libraries – For those not affiliated with UW–Madison

Visitor must be accompanied by Department employee at all times if granted access to certain labs or areas of a department for purposes of observing. See building manager for more information.

Note: if export controls apply
to a location, the Department must contact the Export Control Office to ensure access can be granted.
Get keys to my department or building?Yes; contact Department to arrange.No
Apply for University housing?Yes; contact University Housing for options.No; temporary housing can be found through:
– UW Off-Campus Housing Search

–Campus and Visitor Relations
Get a discounted bus pass?Yes, through Employee Bus Pass Program

Access to free campus bus		Not eligible for Employee Bus Pass Program.

– Access to free campus bus

– Purchase your own individual bus pass through Madison Metro
Get parking?Yes; Eligible for base lot permit through UW Transportation Services – see Long Term Parking Options.Not eligible for base lot permit.

– Visitor and Temporary Parking available

– Visit Campus and Visitor Relations for options
Get health insurance?Yes; J-1 Scholars and any J-2 dependents are required to purchase SHIP for the duration of the J program (or be waived, if eligible for and purchase the UW’s health plan).No; visitors must purchase own travel insurance.
Participate in lab research?YesNo – observation only.
Participate in clinical work (human and/or animal)?No – observation only. For more information on what is deemed “clinical,” contact IFSS.No – observation only.
Get paid a salary, wages, or stipend?Yes; if the Department chooses to pay the Scholar at a later date, the Department must contact IFSS to update the J-1 program appropriately.No
Get paid an honorarium?Yes; See Accounting Services for more information.

J-1 Scholars are required to get permission from IFSS before the “event” occurs.		Yes; See Accounting Services for more information.
Get reimbursed for travel?Yes; See Accounting Services for more information.

J-1 Scholars are required to get permission from IFSS before the “event” occurs.		Yes; See Accounting Services for more information.
Do independent research?No. The purpose of the J-1 status is to promote exchange. Therefore, J-1 Scholars should be engaging in directed research with their supervisor and colleagues that benefits the UW and the scholar in equal measures.Yes, but independent research is no longer independent the moment the UW gives or grants any privileges reserved for UW employees.