Scholars
Visiting international scholars are usually researchers or professors in their home countries who come to collaborate on research or teaching programs with Illinois State departments; they may be hired as employees of the University or they may be visitors representing their universities abroad in a professional capacity for meetings at ISU.
Most international scholars are invited to Illinois State as:
- Exchange Visitors (J-1 Visa)
- Temporary Workers in A Specialty Position (H-1B Visa)
- Tourists (B-1 Visa for Business Purposes)
- You may also be interested in seeing an overview of the most common visa types used at Illinois State.
The visa type that is most appropriate depends on details like:
- The purpose of the scholar's visit
- The activities that the scholar will pursue at Illinois State
- Whether the visit is for business purposes or not
- Who will benefit from the visit
- The length of stay
- How the person is being funded and what kinds of support Illinois State is providing
Visa Categories and Purpose of Visit
|
Purpose of Visit |
Visa Requirements |
Require Consultation with OISP |
|
To share technologies in a particular field with ISU |
B-1, WB, J-1 |
Yes |
|
To speak at a conference hosted by ISU |
B-1, WB, J-1 |
Yes |
|
Collaborate with ISU regarding a particular field |
J-1 |
Yes |
|
Consult with ISU subject matter experts at no benefits to ISU |
B-1, WB |
No |
|
To conduct research with no benefit to ISU |
B-1, WB |
No |
|
To lecture to ISU students |
B-1, WB, J-1 |
Yes |
|
To install and train ISU on equipment |
B-1, WB |
No |
|
To consult with business associates as a subcontractor to ISU |
B-1, WB |
No |
|
To participate in a joint research project |
J-1 |
Yes |
|
To volunteer at a lab at ISU |
J-1 |
Yes |
|
To attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention/conference or seminar program |
B-1, WB |
No |
|
To negotiate a subcontract award with ISU |
B-1, WB |
No |
|
To visit campus as a prospective student or postdoc |
B-2, WT |
No |
Departments or faculty interested in inviting a foreign scholar to teach, observe, conduct research, or attend meetings at the University may contact ISSS to discuss appropriate visa options and processes. Please keep in mind that many immigration processes can take several months.
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 ISU. 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 at ISU.
Responsibilities
Setting Goals and Objectives Early
You and the scholar should design a program that will allow the scholar to be engaged full-time (at least 30 hours/week) 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 ISU. 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 their 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; being greeted at the local airport, bus station or train station; 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 ISU, who will process the tax and payroll forms for this scholar? Living expenses provided by the university may be taxable.