When making these arrangements, academic departments should keep in mind that U.S. Immigration law prohibits employers from making payments to visitors without work authorization. These regulations are in effect even if the visitor is only on campus for a brief lecture or appearance. Although it is understood that payments may have been made to previous visitors without proper authorization, we have been advised by the Controller's Office that these practices can no longer continue and that we must adhere to all federal regulations regarding payments to temporary visa holders. Failure to abide by these regulations may result in significant hardship such as an inability to fulfill financial commitments to the invited guest, fines to the university, or immigration penalties for the visitor. Academic departments should not assume that international visitors already in the United States are authorized to be paid by Cornell.
Immigration regulations can be complex.
It is recommended that you consult with the International Students and Scholars Office well in advance of the arrival of any international visitor. Contact ISSO for any questions .