General Information

UNH is enriched by foreign visitors involved in diverse activities including teaching and research, lectures, seminars, workshops and consultations. However, under current U.S. immigration law the employment and/or compensation of persons who are not U.S. citizens is governed by the specific immigrant or non-immigrant visa category or status held by the individual. In order to ensure that the University will legally be able to compensate its international visitors, the OISS and other offices must be notified well in advance of the proposed activity. In addition, the visitor will be required to provide the University with either a U.S. Social Security Number or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number (ITIN) in order to receive payment. These numbers can be obtained after arrival in the U.S. (or at UNH) but payment will be delayed until a number is issued. Failure to comply with the regulations could result in severe penalties for the institution as well as serious implications for a visitor's future ability to enter the U.S .

Immigrant vs. Non-immigrant Visas

There are essentially two types of visas: immigrant and non-immigrant.

Immigrant visas are given to individuals who have been granted permission to reside permanently in the U.S. These individuals, called Permanent Residents, have been issued an Alien Registration Card (commonly referred to as a "green card") and are permitted to live and work in the U.S. without restriction. There are other foreign nationals who, although not permanent residents, are also authorized to live and work in the U.S. without restriction. These individuals do not receive green cards, and proof of employment eligibility is shown by a government-issued Employment Authorization Document (EAD). For more information about immigrant visa categories, please refer to the immigrant visa chart .

Non-immigrant visas are given to individuals who intend to be in the U.S. for a temporary period of time: as students, temporary workers, participants in international cultural programs, entertainers or athletes, exchange visitors, diplomats or government representatives, investors, religious workers, tourists, or as visitors for short-term business purposes. There are currently more than 40 different types of non-immigrant visas.

Note for CANADIAN citizens: Although Canadian citizens do not need to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. , they are subject to the same employment and compensation laws as citizens of all other countries.