University of California Education Abroad Program

Visiting Scholars

Eligibility

If allowed by the exchange agreement, UC partner universities may nominate exchange visitors to the University of California.

Visiting scholar status is appropriate for faculty / junior faculty and advanced graduate-level degree candidates who do not require a UC transcript and who are able to conduct research at an advanced level. Post-doctoral appointees (paid researchers who have not yet held a teaching position) are not eligible.

Limitations and Benefits

Visitors will not receive a transcript, be an enrolled student or be eligible for UC student housing. UCEAP will pay campus-wide visitor's fees and associated fees, if any, charged by UC for issue of the DS-2019 by the host UC. Visitors normally receive library and computer access through the host department. Office space in the department may or may not be offered by the host. Visa application fees, SEVIS fees, travel / transportation, living expenses and health insurance are paid by the visitor.

UC Host Invitation Requirement

Invitations from a UC faculty and department must be secured by the visitor (or faculty at the home university). In contacting UC faculty and departments, prospective visitors should include a specific statement of purpose for their visit accompanied by a curriculum vitae or resume. Invitations need to be in writing (letter or e-mail). UC faculty and departments contact information can be found at each campus web site.

Link to the UC Online Directory

Administrative Visitors

Administrative visits may be difficult to arrange. There is no job shadowing or training program for visitors at UC. UCEAP cannot guarantee that a visit can be made in a particular career area. Information about funding, visas and EAP forms for scholarly visitors apply to administrative visitors as well.

UCEAP's Role

Once visitors are nominated by their home university and have received a formal invitation by a UC faculty and department, the UC Education Abroad Program assists with acquiring the visa certificate of eligibility (DS-2019), and provides information about UC and nearby community accommodations.

Required Documents

Prospective visitors will need to complete and send the following documents:

UCEAP Funding Worksheet
UCEAP Nomination Form
Invitation letter from a UC faculty or department
Photocopy of the personal information page of the passport
Proof of funding (which may include any combination of the following):
- copy of your award/scholarship letter
- bank letter or statement in your name
- Private sponsor/family member's statement of support

Send all documents as scanned files, if possible. This will make it easier to forward to the UC department.

UCEAP Contact Information

Ralitsa Kirova
rkirova@eap.ucop.edu

Faculty and Visiting Exchanges
Phone: (805) 893-4534
Fax: (805) 893-2583

Systemwide Office, Education Abroad Program
University of California
6950 Hollister Avenue Suite 200
Goleta, CA 93117-5823

To obtain a visa, the visitor needs to take the DS-2019 to a U.S. Consulate. See the EAP Visiting Exchange Guide and Visa Resources page for more information.

Preparation and Processing Timeline

Identify a UC host in advance of the planned visit.

Provide UCEAP with a copy of the written invitation a minimum of four months prior to the proposed visit. Once an invitation has been submitted to UCEAP, allow six to eight weeks for issue of the DS-2019 certificate of eligibility for the J-1 visa. Visitors should also allow a minimum of six to eight weeks for completion of the visa application process and required interview.

Be aware that just before and during the summer break (June through July or August, depending on the campus) departmental staff and faculty at UC may be away and unable to respond or provide the required authorizations.

Funding

Visitors who are not self-supporting should consult with their home university about funding resources that may be available to them.

See the UCEAP Funding Worksheet for the current estimated living expense amounts required by each UC campus for issue of the DS-2019 certificate of eligibility for the J-1 visa. Required amounts are subject to change. The amounts provided are estimates only and actual expenses may vary depending on the visitor's lifestyle and extra activities. Travel is not included in these estimates.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is mandatory for visitors to UC. The U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 visitors and their dependent family members to have the following minimum health insurance coverage throughout their stay:

Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness ($100,000 is recommended)
Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
Medical evacuation expenses in the amount of $10,000
Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-I" or above, a Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, an exchange visitor may hold a policy that is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country.

Visitors who do not have insurance that meets these requirements may enroll in one of these insurance plans specifically designed for visitors. Costs vary depending on the age of the visitor and the length of stay.

The resources below are provided for general information only. UCEAP does not not recommend or endorse any specific insurance plan.

Global Student Health Plan

This policy is available to J-1 Visiting Scholars.

Student Secure Plan for Visiting Scholar and Dependents

This policy is an accident/medical policy available to J-1 Visiting Scholars & J-2 Dependents of Visiting Scholars. Only the Student Secure Select plan is available for visiting scholars and their families. Be sure to choose the Select plan. You can enroll online on the website or use the paper application form below. The quickest way to be insured is to apply online.

Gateway Travel Plans for Visiting Scholars & Dependents

These are accident/medical policies available to J-1 Visiting Scholars & J-2 Dependents of Visiting Scholars. You can enroll online on the website or use the paper application form below. The quickest way to be insured is to apply online.

Brochures

Application Forms

Gateway Travel Insurance Plans Website

Repatriation and Medical Evacuation for Visiting Scholars

This is for visiting scholars and their families who already have accident and sickness insurance from another source, and only need repatriation / medical evacuation insurance. Coverage limits are $10,000 USD for Repatriation, $10,000 USD for Emergency Medical Evacuation, and $10,000 USD for Accidental Death & Dismemberment. The application form and brochure are below.

Brochures