Visitors

Policies for Academic Visitors to the IfA

For IfA researchers who are considering sponsoring a visitor to the Institute, please inform the Facilities staff by submitting the Visitor Request Form linked below (UH login required).  This form records the basic details concerning the visit and facilitates making the necessary arrangements.  Please submit the form at the earliest opportunity, as we may need to request additional approval from the UH Office of Export Controls (OEC).

Please note the following

• Upon submission of the form, IfA Facilities staff will request approval of the visitor from the UH Office of Export Controls as needed.  This extra review is required for foreign nationals and for US citizens/nationals working at foreign institutions.
  • Note: Foreign nationals (also referred to as “foreign persons”) are defined by OEC as “any person who is not a citizen or national of the US, unless that person has been lawfully admitted for permanent residence or is a ‘protected individual’ designated as an asylee, refugee, or temporary resident under amnesty provisions, as defined by the US Immigration and Naturalization Act. The definition includes foreign corporations, foreign governments and any agency or subdivisions of foreign governments (e.g. diplomatic missions).”
• If your visitor needs an official letter of invitation, please send a draft of the letter’s text to the Director’s Office staff, being sure to include any specific information required by the visitor’s home institution.  Once OEC has reviewed and approved the visitor, the Director’s Office can work with Facilities staff generate the invitation letter.
• In planning visits, please ensure that you will be present at the IfA when the visitor arrives, so that you can assist them with getting settled in.

Link to IfA Visitor Request Form (UH login required)

Institute for Astronomy