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Invited Visiting Scholars & Graduate Students

Sponsorship

All visiting scholars must have a Sociology Faculty Sponsor whom they will be collaborating with during their planned visit. Once the Faculty Sponsor and prospective visiting scholar have agreed on collaboration dates, the Faculty Sponsor will contact the Visiting Scholars Coordinator to setup the Departmental Invitation letter (Note: this is not the official UCSD visiting scholar appointment letter outlined below). This letter and the visiting scholar's acceptance is required before the prospective appointment may proceed further. 

Required Documents/Forms

All invited visiting scholars must provide the following documentation in order to officially register as a Visiting Scholar/Student at UCSD. Our staff are happy to assist with general advice and provide you with resources for your visit. However, it is the visitor's responsibility to learn and understand the rules for maintaining their appointment and/or immigration status. 

Visiting Scholars/Researchers (with a PhD or equivalent)

Submit the following documentation to the Sociology Department here.

Visiting Graduate Students

All Visiting Graduate Students (VGS) are required to submit documents through the Graduate Division's online VGS Appointment System. Once the department creates a UCSD VGS account for you, you will receive an email notifying you to complete the online form and upload the documents listed below.

What you will need to submit to the VGS Online Appointment System:

  • Current Curriculum Vitae
  • UC Patent Acknowledgement Form (PDF): Please sign and submit within the system
  • Current Proof of Registration in a graduate program (PhD, Masters, or MD) -  ie. copy of your current transcript or letter from home institution confirming that you will still be registered for the duration of your VGS appointment at UCSD
  • Proof of Health Insurance, or Form C (PDF): Health Insurance Memorandum of Understanding

Additionally, please submit the following to the Sociology Department online here:

  • Visiting Scholar Form (PDF): Scholar Information Sheet
  • Passport Biographical Page (including any dependents)
  • Proof of Funding
  • Certification of English Language Proficiency 

For further guidance on these documents, please see our section for International Visitors below.

International Visitors

For our visitors requiring departmental sponsorship for a DS-2019 to obtain a J-1 visa, the following must be submitted along with the documents listed above at least 3 months prior to the planned arrival date. 

Additional Required Documents

Please note that these items listed below should be submitted through Sociology's online form here.

  1. Visiting Scholar Form (PDF): Scholar Information Sheet - Fully completed and signed with all additional documentation (e.g. passport biographical page) as required attached.
  2. Certification of English Language Proficiency by one of the following: 
    • Certification by an academic institution or English language school 
      • Letter should include:
        • Verification that the exchange visitor possesses English language proficiency high enough to function daily within their UCSD position and within the local U.S. community
        • Issued on letterhead in English within the past 6-months
        • Includes signature from school official
        • Example [PDF]
    • or Certification by a recognized English language test
      • Copy of test must be in English & can be one of the following:
        • IELTS overall band score of 6 or higher
        • TOEFL test score must be 500 (paper based), 173 (computer based) or 61 (internet based IBT). TOEIC not accepted.
        • PETS score level 5 or higher
  3. Proof of Funding: Documentation - in English - of funding from home institution, agency, or personal funds of at least $2,400 (for a single person) per month for duration of visit. Minimum proof of funding amount subject to change without notice.

Fees

  • $657 ISEO visa processing fee. This fee must be paid before your visa application can be processed. Fees subject to change without notice.
  • If you are a Visiting Graduate Student: $100 Visiting Student Registration Fee - This is in addition to the visa processing fee and must be paid within six weeks upon arrival on campus.

Appointment and Departmental Information

Upon submission of the required documents, the Sociology Visiting Scholar Coordinator will contact you with your official appointment letter.

International Scholars: Upon receiving your written acceptance, the Sociology Department will initiate the iServices process to start the DS-2019 application through the International Services & Engagement Office (ISEO). The scholar will receive an email from the system asking them to input the application information and upload documents as required for the DS-2019.  For additional information, please see ISEO's J-1 Exchange Visitors page 

Arrival

All Visiting Scholars:

  • Upon arrival, please setup an appointment with your Sponsoring Faculty and the Visting Scholar Coordinator.

    • The Visting Scholar Coordinator will help in obtaining a campus ID, library access, completing departmental forms, and help navigating to the cashier's office for fee payment:

      • Fee Payment: Directions to Student Services Center: https://goo.gl/maps/672pVPrLKFr (walking directions from Social Sciences Building to Student Services Center) 
        • Cashier's office:  Suite 170  - to submit campus ID card payment & any other outstanding expenses
      • Requesting a Campus ID Card
        • Get completed ID Card Request Form from Visiting Scholar Coordinator
        • Email your completed form to the Card Services Office and attach a photo that meets the following guidelines:
          • Plain white background
          • Color photo with even lighting
          • No hats, sunglasses, or face coverings
          • No other people or objects in the photo
        • Wait for Confirmation - A Campus Cards representative will review your submission and contact you once your ID card is ready for pickup
      • Library Informationhttps://library.ucsd.edu/borrow-and-request/loan-periods.html#visiting-scholars 

       

  • For receiving access to the Sociology break rooms & mail room, please setup an appointment with Rick Clarke to setup an omni code.

International Scholars:

  • Within 15 days, you are required to Register at ISEO and attend mandatory Orientation. Please see the ISEO website for additional information.
  • For a variety of information on living in San Diego, please see the ISEO Resources Page.

Research Resources

Off-Campus Library Access

To obtain off-campus library access, you will need login to the  Virtual Private Network using your Active Directory Account (username from UCSD email).

Mailbox

Each visiting scholar will have their own campus mailbox in the Sociology mailroom. Your UCSD mailing address will be:

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO
First Name Last Name, SOCIOLOGY DEPT
9500 GILMAN DR. # 0533
LA JOLLA CA  92093-0533

Social Science Computing Facility (SSCF) Helpdesk

The Social Science Computing Facility (SSCF) offers a variety of computer support for administrative staff, faculty, and graduate students within the Division of Social Sciences. Support includes: installation and setup of new computers, web hosting, Email access, antivirus and more.