Department Administrators
International Agreements
Clark University has relationships with many different institutions outside of the United States. The Office of Global Engagement assists Clark faculty and staff who are interested in setting up agreements with an international entity.
All international agreements must be signed by the provost or his/her designee. If you are interested in developing a new international partnership, please contact the associate dean for international programs, who can provide an overview of the process and answer any questions you might have.
To view all of the active agreements Clark currently has or to propose a new program, please visit our Partnerships Page.
Immigration Resources
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) works with Clark departments to facilitate the immigration process for international faculty, researchers and visiting scholars. Departments are responsible for facilitating the immigration sponsorship process for new hires and research appointments. Please contact the ISSO as quickly as possible to ensure a smooth visa process for your new department member.
The ISSO also advises on payments and honoraria to international guests for lectures or other services provided to the University.
Contact ISSO Director Amanda Desai with any immigration questions about hiring an international faculty member or researcher or inviting a short-term visitor.
International Short-Term Visitors to Clark University
International visitors to Clark University for short-term business or pleasure will need to seek a B Visa or a waiver under the Visa Waiver Program to travel to the U.S.
B-visa
The B-1 Visa for a visitor coming to the U.S. for short-term business, such as to participate in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, or seminars. The B-2 Visa is for a visitor coming to the U.S. for pleasure/tourism or medical treatment.
The B Visa is not appropriate for students or long-term scholars coming to Clark University, for anyone coming to Clark University for purposes of employment, for students engaging in formal study in a credit-bearing program, or for anyone coming to Clark University to engage in collaborative research or as primary investigators.
Visitors should contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their country for information on the visa application and processing time. A letter of invitation from Clark University may be helpful and can be requested by following the process outlined below.
Visa Waiver Program
Citizens from a limited number of countries are permitted to visit the U.S. for up to 90 days without a B-1 or B-2 visa under the Visa Waiver Program. Visitors coming to the U.S. for short-term business are admitted in WB status and visitors coming to the U.S. for pleasure are admitted in WT status.
Certain requirements apply under the Visa Waiver Program, including passport requirements, pre-screening clearance authorization called ESTA, and evidence of ESTA approval.
Time in the U.S.
Entry into the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program generally limited to a non-extendable maximum stay of 90 days, or six months under the B-1/B-2 Visa status. Stays may also be limited to the expected duration of the visit.
Employment in the U.S.
Employment and/or per diem payments are not permitted on the B Visa or under the Visa Waiver Program.
A B-1 visitor (and by extension visitors on the Visa Waiver Program) may receive reimbursement for travel and living expenses.
A B-1 visitor (and by extension visitors on the Visa Waiver Program) may also be paid an honorarium for “usual academic activities,” as long as the academic activity does not last longer than 9 days at any institution and the visitor has not accepted similar payments from more than 5 institutions during the previous 6 months (this is known as the 9/5/6/ Rule). “Usual academic activities” at Clark University include lecturing, teaching and share of knowledge, or performance (when the performance if composed of non-paying students and/or is open to the general public for free).
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service considers all honorarium payments to be taxable income and requires that Clark, as the paying agent, withhold at a 30% rate. Due to requirements of both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), processing honorarium payments takes time.
Please note that honorarium rules are different for B Visa holders and other visa holders (such as J-1 or H1-B). To confirm if Clark University can reimburse a visitor for travel and living expenses, or pay an honorarium for usual academic activities, please view the full process here.
Questions regarding visas and compensation based on visa category can be directed to the ISSO Director (Amanda Desai- Adesai@photographywaltz.com). Please note that the ISSO cannot advise on taxation of payments made to guests. Please contact Accounts Payable for all taxation questions.