Sample Invitation Letter for an International Scholar to Visit in "B" Status Visa Classification (must be on official letterhead)
Date
Address
Dear:
Thank you for agreeing to present your most recent paper during our Spring conference which will be held at the University's New England Center on (insert date).
As previously discussed, the Department of XXXXXX is prepared to compensate you with a $XXX honorarium and to reimburse you for round trip air fare and travel expenses from XXXXX to Durham, NH. In addition, we will provide you with accommodations at the New England Center for three days and will reimburse you for meals and incidental expenses during the conference.
The United States government permits academic institutions to provide honoraria and reimbursement of expenses to foreign nationals who enter the U.S. in B-2 (tourist) or B-1 (short-term business) status. There visa classification. However, there are several restrictions within the law , however. . Federal law requires that:
- you be present in the U.S. in B-1/B-2, or WB/ WT visitor visa status;
- the academic activities at UNH must not exceed nine days;
- you may not have accepted similar payments from more than five other U.S. institutions during the six-month period immediately preceding your visit to UNH.
If you need to apply for a B-1/2 visitor visa, please take this letter, along with your valid passport to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate which serves closest to your place of residence.
In order to process the payments and to meet all federal laws and regulations, we will need to make a copy of your passport identification pages, U.S. visa , and your form Form I-94 (Arrival and Departure Record) after your arrival on campus. At this time we ask that you complete the enclosed Declaration Form verifying your eligibility to receive payment under the laws of the United States. To receive compensation, it will also be necessary for you to present a U.S. Social Security Number or an Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN). If you do not currently have either number, the law requires that you inform us in writing. Receipts are necessary for reimbursement of expenses. Please note that a 30% U.S. income tax may be withheld from honorarium payments.
We look forward to your participation in XXXXXX. If you have any questions about applying for your visa, please contact our Office of International Students and Scholars (oiss@unh.edu).
Sincerely,
