International Visitor Links

• Non-U.S. Citizen Payment Guidelines
• Visit Form Policy - see the policies page
• Visitor's Information Sheet for Income and Travel.pdf

International Visitor Guidelines

• To enter the United States legally you MUST have a Visa.


• I94 Card-visa status of individual.


• Important questions to ask department head/faculty members prior to visitor coming to Penn State-What will this person be doing? Purpose of visit? Needs of department or college? Length of time the visitor will be needed for?


• Plan for your visitor 6 to 8 months prior to coming to the United States.


• Send visitor the Visitor’s Information Sheet for Income and Travel to start process.


• Conduct interview-Confirm with visitor that they can work when in the United States.


• 956 Rule-allows you to pay visitors & tourist honorariums; B1 & B2 and WB & WT can be paid if they meet all the qualifications in Part IV of the VISIT form.


• 30% tax held on visitors earnings, to avoid complete Form 8233 (must have Tax ID#/SS# and a treaty with the country to compete this form).


• Preferred visa classification is J1-Exchange Visitor (1 week turnaround for forms/paperwork and visitor will return to their country).


• ALL INFORMATION ON VISA MUST MATCH PAPERWORK.


• Enormous currency penalty for completing forms/paperwork incorrectly.


• Scholars-advise that they will be fingerprinted when entering the United States and photographed when departing.


• Student visitors-contact Office of International Programs.


• Retention period for forms/paperwork is current + 3 years.


• Retention period for I9 Forms is 1 year after leaving date.

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