Host a Visiting Scholar
Visiting international scholars are usually researchers or professors in their home countries who come to collaborate on research or teaching programs with SIUE departments; they may be hired as employees of SIUE or they may be visitors representing their universities abroad in a professional capacity for meetings at SIUE.
Most international scholars are invited to SIUE as:
- Exchange Visitors (J-1 Visa)
- Temporary Workers in A Specialty Position (H-1B Visa)
- Tourists (B-1 Visa for Business Purposes)
The visa type that is most appropriate depends on the purpose and activities of a scholar’s visit.
| Purpose of Visit | Visa Requirements | Requires Consultation with International Affairs |
|---|---|---|
|
To share technologies in a particular field or train SIUE on equipment |
B, J-1 |
Yes |
|
Collaborate with SIUE regarding a particular field or participate in a joint research project |
J-1 |
Yes |
|
Consult with SIUE subject matter experts or conduct research with no benefits to SIUE |
B |
No |
|
To lecture to SIUE students |
B, J-1 |
Yes |
|
To consult with business associates as a subcontractor to SIUE |
B |
No |
|
To volunteer at a lab at SIUE |
J-1 |
Yes |
|
To attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention/conference or seminar program |
B |
No |
|
To visit campus as a prospective student or postdoc |
B |
No |
Departments or faculty interested in inviting a foreign scholar to teach, observe, conduct research, or attend meetings at the University should contact the Office of International Affairs to discuss appropriate visa options and processes. Please keep in mind that many immigration processes can take several months.
After submitting the Scholar Application, before the Office of International Affairs can process the request for a new scholar, an immigration advisor will set up a phone or face-to-face meeting with the department host to review the following hosting considerations and responsibilities. This is a mandatory meeting to ensure that all SIUE and State Department policies regarding visiting scholars are being met.
Hosting Considerations and Responsibilities
Hosting a scholar can be a wonderful and enlightening experience. To provide the best experience, departments will want to keep in mind that it is more than a written invitation; it is a commitment. Your department will actively collaborate with the scholar during the program and provide an experience that benefits both the scholar and SIUE. The Exchange Visitor Program is made possible by the U.S. Department of State and it is a privilege to be able to host exchange visitors.
Setting Goals and Objectives Early
You and the scholar should design a program that will allow the scholar to be engaged full-time with specific objectives to accomplish. Since scholars are granted a visa based on the details you provide in the application to invite, it is important that you take sufficient time to carefully plan what you and the scholar will do together for the program. Once scholars receive their visas, they will not be able to change their program objectives and activities or else it can be seen as a misrepresentation of the visa.
Screening
A participant's background, qualifications, and experience must be appropriate for their objectives and activities at SIUE. The scholar must have at least a bachelor's degree or its equivalent. The scholar must also be proficient in English.
Emergency Contact
Sponsors and hosts must provide emergency, 24-hour contact information to their participants.
Monitoring/Supervision
Hosts must provide regular on-site supervision to ensure that scholars are accomplishing program objectives.
Offering Cross-Cultural Activities
Host departments must provide a variety of cross-cultural activities to encourage mutual understanding and to enhance visitors' understanding of American life and our understanding of their country and culture. Activities may include sports, cultural, and social events, meeting with fellow faculty, having dinner with families, etc. The Department of State checks to see that universities are including this component in scholars' experiences.
Other Considerations
Does the department have the time, space, equipment, facilities, time and resources to devote to a visiting scholar? Who in the department will help the scholar with finding a place to live; campus and community tours; opening bank accounts; learning about public transportation; shopping for apartment items; and helping children enroll in school? If the scholar is being paid or funded by SIUE, who will process the tax and payroll forms for this scholar? Living expenses provided by the university may be taxable.
