While academic institutions may pay honoraria and/or to provide reimbursement of expenses to foreign nationals who enter the U.S. as tourists (B-2/VWT) or visitors for business (B-1/VWB), there are certain conditions for payment and not everyone in B-1/B-2 or VWB/VWT is eligible. Please read the information below for details.

Who is allowed to receive reimbursement and honorarium payments?
What do UNH departments need to know?
What documentation is needed so that payment can be authorized?
What is meant by "usual academic activities?"
What if the "B" visitor does not meet the eligibility criteria for an honorarium?
Where can I get additional information?

Q. Who is allowed to receive reimbursement and honorarium payments?

A. A foreign national is allowed to receive reimbursement/honorarium if s/he is in the U.S. in valid "B-1/B-2" status and will be at UNH to engage in a "usual academic activity” lasting no longer than nine days. The foreign national is prohibited from receiving more than six such payments from academic institutions or nonprofit research institutes within a six-month period. These rules also apply to foreign nationals in the U.S. with “VWB” or “VWT” notation on the I-94 card.

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Q. What do UNH departments need to know?

A.

• Do not assume that the foreign national holds "B" status, especially if s/he is already in the U.S. You must look at the individual's passport, visa, and I-94 card to determine immigration status.
• To qualify for honoraria and reimbursements, the academic activity must last no more than nine days for each institution - there are no exceptions! There are academic butterflies that flit from school to school. These individuals can easily exceed the limit of six schools in six months. If UNH is school number seven, the visit does not qualify and no payment can be issued.

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Q. What documentation is needed so that payment can be authorized?

A. When an international visitor in "B" status arrives at UNH, the department must:

• Make copies of:
  • The identification page of the passport;
  • The expiration date of the passport (may not always be on the ID page);
  • Front and Back of Form I-94 (a small white or green card) usually stapled in the passport;
  • The "B-1/B-2" visa in the passport, if available.
• Assist the visitor in completing the declaration form to confirm that s/he is eligible to receive payment. UNH departments should send the completed, signed declaration form along with the supporting documentation (copy of passport, visa, I-94, etc.) with the request for payment to their Business Service Center representative. No payment will be issued unless the declaration form is completed properly and submitted with appropriate backup documentation.
• Ask for the SSN (and document that you have requested this information) as required under IRS regulations. To receive an honorarium, the visitor must have either a Social Security Number (SSN), or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). Individuals in "B" visa classification are not eligible to apply for a social security number. However, they may have one from a previous visit to the U.S. Note that an SSN or ITIN is not required if payment is for reimbursement of expenses only.

For more information on procedures for these types of payments, contact tax.issues@usnh.edu in the Controller’s Office at 862-0352.

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Q. What is meant by "usual academic activities"?

A. At this time, any type of academic activity which could be considered "usual and customary" are acceptable (e.g., giving seminars/lectures/workshops, demonstrating techniques, conducting master classes, collaborative research, attending meetings, consulting, etc.).

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Q. What if the "B" visitor does not meet the eligibility criteria for an honorarium?

A. Foreign nationals in B-1/VWB status (visitors for business) who are no longer eligible for honoraria may still be reimbursed for expenses. Note that this is not the case for individuals in B-2/VWT (visitors for tourism) status. These individuals may not be reimbursed for expenses or paid honoraria once the permissible length of activity and number of payments has been reached. Consult the OISS for guidance.

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Q. Where can I get additional information?

A. For UNH payment procedures, contact the Controller’s Office at 603-862-0352. For information on visas contact the OISS.