Inviting a Visiting Professor

Inviting an international faculty member to teach at IUP as a visiting professor is not difficult, but requires coordination and communication among several offices:

• College dean
• Department chair
• Advisor in Office of International Education
• Human Resources

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 via airmail.

• Invitation PDF Form
  
• Original invitation letter from college dean
• Original invitation letter from department chair
  
• Completed DS-2019 Application Form (visiting professor must complete)
• Dependent information, if applicable
• Proof of additional financial support, if applicable
• Appointment authorization and/or contract from Human Resources
  

With regard to immigration, visiting professors are sponsored by IUP with a DS-2019, which enables the visiting professor 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 visiting professors will obtain the J-1 visa.

Before the visa application, the visiting professor will have to pay the $220 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 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 visiting professor.