Inviting an international colleague to IUP as a research scholar is not difficult, but requires advance coordination and communication among several offices:
- College dean
- Department chair
- Advisor in the Office of International Education
After discussion with the above offices, the following documents must be submitted to the Office of International Education in a timely manner for the proper invitation packet to be created and sent to the scholar to apply for a J1 visa. Per the US Department of State, a sponsor must verify that a visiting scholar has sufficient proficiency in the English language. Therefore, if a department is interested in hosting a scholar based on credentials, but without prior, in-person interaction, a Skype interview should be conducted before the invitation process begins.
- Original invitation letter from college dean
- Original invitation letter from department chair
- Completed DS-2019 Application Form (visiting scholar must complete)
- Proof of financial support
- Evidence of English language proficiency (exam, transcripts, or faculty interview and verification of English proficiency).
- Application fee ($500) payable through the IUP Marketplace
- Dependent information, if applicable
With regard to immigration, research scholars are sponsored by IUP with a DS-2019, which enables the research scholar to apply for a J-1 visa at the closest American embassy and/or consulate in his/her home country. This process can take weeks, and, unfortunately, IUP cannot guarantee that research scholars will obtain the J-1 visa.
Before the visa application, the research scholar will have to pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee. The I-901 SEVIS payment must be completed a minimum of 72 hours before the visa appointment. IUP does not pay for either the SEVIS fee or the visa application fee.
Please note that all J-1 visa holders and J-2 dependents must have appropriate health insurance as required by the Department of State. A brochure and Office of International Education invitation letter outlining the minimum requirements will be sent to the research scholar.
OIE will arrange access to IUP electronic accounts and a research scholar I-card. Departments commit to providing space on campus for the scholar to work on research. With J1 status, a physical presence requirement is assumed. Department of State expects that visiting scholars will be on campus (or other site of activity approved by OIE) three to five days a week to engage in research activities.