PAYING A FN's TRAVEL EXPENSES

If you are unsure what expenses/reimbursements will be paid to the foreign national visitor, the safest visa to have the visitor arrive on is a J-1. Follow the instructions below for inviting a J-1 visiting scholar.

If you will be paying expenses (meals, lodging, travel, etc.) only, then the foreign national should be instructed to arrive in the United States on a B-1 visa or VWB. Any type of salary (honorarium, etc.) cannot be paid to a visitor on a B-1/VWB visa. Be sure to express to the visitor that absolutely no expenses can be paid if they arrive on a B-2 or VWT visa. (sample B-1/VWB letters available.)

If the visitor is currently on a J-1 visa sponsored by another institution, you may complete an DS-2019 worksheet to effect a transfer to PSU or secure sponsor permission via a letter to the visitor’s current institution stating that you would like the visitor to be able to visit your institution as a short-term guest lecturer, speaker, etc. (letter samples). They will in turn send a confirmation to Banci Tewolde's office stating that this is acceptable.

If paying your foreign national visitor’s travel expenses from a restricted grant fund, the visitor must fly on a U.S. carrier both directions to and from their home country.

BACKUP NEEDED:

  • Travel Support Form (TSF) (to be completed by the visitor) (sample)
  • Special Request for Check (SRFC)
  • Visitor’s Visa (sample)
  • Visitor’s I-94 (both sides) (hard white card stapled into passport/visa) (sample)
  • DS-2019 Form (pink paper) (sample)
  • Visitor’s Information Sheet for Income and Travel (sample)

NOTES:

  • If the visitor’s travel is placed on a DBAF, then the inviting faculty member takes a chance that the visitor may arrive with the wrong visa and therefore, the amount would be paid by the inviting faculty member’s personal funds.

Travel Expenses | Lodging | Meals | Honorarium | H-1B (another university) | J-1 (another university) | J-1 Scholar | Postdoc | Academic | H-1B Process | Labor Certification | Citizenship | "9-5-6" rule | Pre-Paying Prohibition | Quick References/Sample Letters | Site Map

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This page was last updated on 20 June 2003

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