Immigration Services
Welcome to Immigration Services at Kent State University!
The Office of the General Counsel currently coordinates the petitioning for H, O, and other nonimmigrant visas needed by certain international faculty and professionals for employment at Kent State University. Our office also provides employment-based permanent residency petitioning for full-time employees of the University upon approval from the employing department. The purpose of this site is to provide educational materials, immigration updates, and - most importantly - access to the tools and forms used by the Office to assist the University in its immigration needs. Our office also coordinates with the Office of International Affairs on policy and regulatory interpretations. The Office of Global Education provides international student and scholar services for the University community and coordinates the filings for F and J visas.
This site will continually be updated when possible in order to provide the most comprehensive immigration services to our University. If you have any suggestions, please email the site administrator at legal@kent.edu, with "Immigration Services" in the subject header.
H-1B Visa Request Form
Recruitment Report for Faculty (Perm. Residency)
Recruitment Report for Staff (Perm. Residency)
Immigration Services Intake Form
Checklist for H-1B Visa Travel
H-1B FAQs
USCIS Fee Changes
KSU Guide for Recruiting and Hiring International Faculty and Professionals
Guidance for beneficiaries seeking EB-1 Outstanding Professors and Researchers
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services
American Immigration Lawyers Association
American Immigration Council
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
LECTURERS and BUSINESS VISITORS
Occasionally, departments may have international guests come to campus to conduct or attend a workshop, conference, present a lecture, observe, or conduct independent research for a short period of time. An International visiting for the purposes of engaging in temporary academic, educational, or professional activities as described above, may not need for Kent State to sponsor an H-1B visa. However, any visa consideration should always be made well in advance so find out all relevant information as soon as possible!
The B-1 business visitor category is not appropriate for visitors engaging in active in-lab research or collaborative activities. Visitors involved in exchange programs, formal collaboration between institutions, or joint research projects from which Kent State will benefit should use the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa and should contact the Office of Global Education, International Student and Scholar Services at 330-672-7980.
Visa Waiver Program
Some internationals from countries listed as part of the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program won’t need to obtain a visa to enter the United States as a B-1 visitor. A list of the countries included in the visa waiver program can be found here: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html#countries
Visitors from countries included in the visa waiver program will not need to visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate prior to entering the U.S. However, upon entry to the U.S. they will be required to present:
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Valid passport
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Letter of Invitation from Kent State University (Similar to the B-1 letter provided for below)
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Visitors traveling under the Visa Waiver Program must register for travel authorization on the Department of Homeland Security's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) Website. Registration must be submitted at least 72 hours prior to travel.
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Their passport and their I-94 card will be stamped indicating their immigration status and length of stay allowed in the U.S. When entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver program the international will be given a green I-94 card and an extension of their stay after entering the U.S. will not be permitted.
B-1 Business Category
Visitors from countries not included in the visa waiver program will need to visit a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to obtain a B-1 before boarding a plane to enter the U.S. The visitor should check the U.S. Embassy or Consulate’s web site to see what specific documents they will need to take to their visa appointment. They can find this information at the U.S. Department of State web site here: http://www.usembassy.gov/. The person must enter on a B-1 visa or have similar work authorization in order to be eligible for payment of the honorarium and reimbursable travel expenses.
After obtaining the visa and upon entry to the U.S. they will be required to present:
- Valid passport
- Valid B-1 visa stamp in passport
- Letter from Kent State University (SAMPLE LETTER)
Their passport and I-94 card will be stamped indicating their immigration status and length of stay allowed in the U.S. When entering the U.S. under the B-1 visa the international will be given a white I-94 card and an extension of their stay beyond their original intent will be allowed.
Honorarium/Reimbursement
Academic honorarium payments and reimbursement for incidental expense are allowed. Please keep in mind that when a visitor arrives in the B-1 category that Honorarium payments are allowed only as long as the academic activity at Kent State University for which an honorarium is paid is no longer than 9 days, and the visitor has not accepted honoraria from more than five institutions or organizations within a 6 month period. The lecturer or business visitor will need either a social security number or an individual tax identification number (which must be applied for through the IRS). Please contact the Kent State University Tax Manager at 330-672-8622 to ensure the appropriate paperwork is completed prior to the date that the lecturer will arrive.
Timing
It is important to prepare for a B-1 visitors as far in advance as possible. It is very possible that there could be a delay at the port-of-entry (for visa waiver eligible lecturers) or a long wait time at the U.S. Embassy in his/her home country. To see current wait times for getting a visa interview appointment and for visa processing at each U.S. consulate or embassy, refer to the U.S. Department of State Visa Wait Times. B-1 visitors should plan to obtain their visa stamp well ahead of their visit to the U.S. It is recommended that a visa is obtained prior to booking an airline flight.