The United States Government recognizes the value of short-term academic exchanges and permits international scholars entering the U.S. in "tourist" or short-term "business" visa classification to receive reimbursement of expenses and payment of honoraria. To qualify for the benefits of this law, your status and activities must meet specific criteria.
To make it easier for you to meet these requirements, we have prepared this simple assessment and declaration. During your visit at UNH, your host department will help you complete the form and make copies of the identity and visa pages of your passport and Form I-94, Arrival and Departure Record.
The basic requirements to qualify for reimbursement of expenses and payment of honoraria in visitor status are:
- You must be present in the U.S. in visitor visa status (B-1/B-2, WB or WT) per the notation on your Form I-94. Canadians who cross the border without obtaining Form I-94 are presumed to have been admitted in B-1/B-2 visitor status.
- The academic activities at UNH for which you wish to receive reimbursement or honoraria must not exceed nine days.
- During the six month period immediately prior to your visit to UNH, you have not accepted reimbursements from more than five other institutions in the U.S. while in "B" visitor visa status.
If you believe that you cannot meet one or more of these requirements, please contact your UNH host department before you arrive on campus.
Section 431 of the American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act of 1998 permits the holder of a "B" visa to be paid an honoraria for "usual academic activities" lasting not longer than nine days at a single institution, providing that the services performed are for the benefit of the academic institutions and the international visitor has not accepted honoraria or reimbursement from more than six institutions within the preceding six month period. Reimbursement for travel and reasonable incidental expenses, such as accommodations and meals, are also permitted under the same conditions.