General Information
It is the responsibility of all departments, centers, faculty, researchers, and administrators at UTSA intending to invite or host international visitors to notify the Office of Research Integrity, export@utsa.edu, of their intent and request the approval of such visit before the arrival of the international visitor (See HOP 1.34, Visiting Scholars.) This includes all non-U.S. persons teaching, conducting research, or presenting workshops, symposia, or other academic presentations at UTSA who are not employed by UTSA and are not currently employed by a college or university based in the U.S.
- I-129 Certification (H-1B): As part of its I-129 Visa Application process, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) requires a certification as to whether the beneficiary (visa applicant) will require an export license to access export controlled technology or technical data during the course of his/her professional position. If a license is required, the UTSA sponsor must certify that they will prevent the access or disclosure of the control technology or technical data to the beneficiary through a technology control plan until UTSA receives the required license or authorization to release it. For more information on H-1B, go to the UTSA International Gateway H-1B site.
- UTSA Sponsored Visa (J-1, F-1): As part of its Visa Application process, departments are responsible for notifying ORI if the non-U.S. visitor will have access (whether verbal, written, electronic, and/or visual) to export controlled items, technology or technical data during the visit or period of employment. ORI reviews all visa requests and requests additional confirmation regarding export control compliance, if applicable. For more information on visa request, go to the UTSA International Gateway H-1B site.
- Non-U.S. Visitors (Service Agreements): Departments submit a request for a restricted party screening to the Office of Research Integrity, export@utsa.edu, prior to sending an invitation. Departments are responsible for notifying ORI if the non-U.S. visitor will have access (whether verbal, written, electronic, and/or visual) to export controlled items, technology or technical data during the visit. Please visit the UTSA Business Contracts site if you need additional information.
- Other Visitors/Non-U.S. Employees: Departments submit a request for a restricted party screening of all other non-U.S. visitors and potential new non-U.S. employees to ORI prior to doing any transaction. Departments are responsible for notifying ORI if the non-U.S. visitor will have access (whether verbal, written, electronic, and/or visual) to export controlled items, technology or technical data during the visit or period of employment. Departments submit Persons of Interest (POI) (formerly known as Volunteers) form to ORI form approval if the visitor is a vising researcher/scholar. For more information on POI form, go to the UTSA HR Non-Benefits Eligible Employment site.
Visiting Scholar Flowchart
Additional Tips
- No non-U.S. visitor may have access (whether verbal, written, electronic, and/or visual) to Controlled Information or Controlled Physical Items unless an export control license has been obtained.
- Do not assume that a visitor’s visa is an authorization for all activities. A deemed export can occur through discussions, tours, or visual inspection of controlled US technology at any time at any location.
- The Office of Research Integrity will:
- Conduct restricted party screening for all non-U.S. visitors to evaluate for export control concerns prior to participation in academic or research programs.
- Supply Host and Host Unit with export control related requirements applicable to particular visits and with information to include in a Visitor’s invitation letter; and
- Provide any necessary export control training to UTSA employees and non-U.S. visitors.