Visiting International Delegations

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) can facilitate short-term visits that meet at least one of the following criteria:

• The visit involves representatives from international universities, government agencies, or other organizations that have existing partnerships with UMBC, such as student exchange, research, or other forms of academic collaboration.
• Meetings involve multiple campus units.
• The delegation involves high-ranking government officials representing country leadership.
• Visitors have requested to meet with UMBC leadership including the President, Provost, Vice Provosts, or Vice Presidents.

Please complete the Delegation Visit Request form at least 6 weeks prior to your requested visit. A member of the CGE Office of Global Partnerships will reach out to you upon review of the request. Visits cannot be scheduled during university holidays and certain campus constituents may be less available from mid-May to mid-August, the last half of December, the first half of January, and spring break. Fluctuations in demand volume may impact our UMBC’s ability to meet all visit requests and all requests to meet with leadership.

• US & Federal regulations:
  • Per protocol, CGE conducts a Restricted Party Screening to ensure that none of the visiting international delegation or their affiliated institutions are subject to restrictions or prohibitions by the U.S. Government.
  • Representatives from certain countries may be responsible for providing prior notification of their visits to educational institutions to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Foreign Missions by phone at 202.647.3417 or email at OFM-Info@state.gov.

• UMBC prefers to recognize accomplishments or outcomes that result from relationships in lieu of symbolic signing of international agreements. Campus-level MOUs signing ceremonies are rare. If you would like to inquire about the possibility of a signing ceremony please contact globalpartnerships@umbc.edu.

• According to diplomatic protocol, the UMBC President is the appropriate party to formally accept or extend invitations to high-level foreign dignitaries for official visits to UMBC. UMBC faculty and staff are urged to contact the Center for Global Engagement’s Office of Global Partnerships (globalpartnerships@umbc.edu) prior to accepting or extending and invitation to a foreign dignitary for an official campus visit.

• UMBC does not commonly issue invitation leaders from campus leadership for visa purposes, and strongly advises academic departments that have been contacted about invitation letters consult with the Center for Global Engagement prior to considering any requests that arise. Individual staff and faculty are advised not to issue visa invitation letters for delegation visits.

• Delegation and international visits hosted by the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) are usually for partnership development and diplomatic purposes. Visitors intending to give lectures, fireside chats, etc. need to identify an academic host. Depending on the activity such visits may be supported by CGE in partnership with the host units. Please feel free to consult with CGE on such activities.

• Visits that would like language interpretation should make their own arrangements. If the meetings will include interpretation, please inform CGE in advance so that the proper time scheduling accommodations can be included.

• Time permitting, CGE may provide a campus tour as part of the visit. Please indicate your interest in a tour when completing the delegation request form.

• We are not able to assist with hotel arrangements, but the Visit UMBC webpage maintains a list of local hotel properties that may offer special rates to visitors associated with UMBC.

• Information about accessible parking, routes, and buildings can be found on the Office of Accessibility and Disability Services webpage. Disability accommodation requests should be made at least two weeks before the visit.