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International
Students
 

International Faculty
& Visiting Scholars
 

Study Abroad
& National Student
Exchange

Management
Development
International (MDI)

International
Linkages
 

About
Our
Office

Questions?

To invite an Exchange Visitor, please contact Stephanie Gonzalez at 438-5112.

To learn about hiring international scholars, please contact Michael Schmelzle at 438-7901.

International Faculty and Visiting Scholars

The Office of International Studies and Programs is pleased to provide Immigration and other advising for departments who wish to invite foreign faculty and scholars to conduct research and teaching programs at ISU. Collaborating with international faculty and scholars can deliver a variety of benefits to all parties involved including new professional, research, cultural and social insights. Hosting foreign professionals is also a valuable way of keeping in step with globalization and contributing to ISU's internationalization goals.

At ISU, most international visitors are invited as Exchange Visitor Scholars with the J-1 Visa, or they are hired as International Faculty with the H-1B Visa. Which visa type is most appropriate depends on the nature of the foreign person's program.

 

What Is An International Faculty Person?

• The university often invites international visitors to work as "faculty" or professional teaching staff for long-term employment.
• This kind of program requires Immigration processing for the H-1B Visa, which our office does in collaboration with the hiring ISU department and the person being hired.
• The main focus is employment and to fulfill employment needs at the university.
• International faculty may eventually accept tenure-track positions.
• For more information, please contact Michael Schmelzle, Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services.

 

What Is A Visiting Scholar or Exchange Visitor?

• A scholar is someone who comes to the university temporarily to teach, do research, or both.
• This kind of program requires Immigration processing for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, which our office does in collaboration with the hosting ISU department and the person being invited.
• The U.S. Department of State administers "The Exchange Visitor Program" via the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. This program makes it possible for international students and scholars to visit the United States temporarily for the purpose of enhancing international understanding and goodwill.
  • Illinois State University is an Immigration sponsor of The Exchange Visitor Program. This means that we are a legal entity that has applied for and received designation from the U.S. Department of State to conduct an exchange visitor program. Immigration advisors in the International Studies Office are not employed by the U.S. Departments of State or Homeland Security, but we are required to follow Immigration laws in how we administer the program.
• Some scholars visit the university for a few days, while others remain for several years, depending on the nature of their program at ISU.
• Although the word, "scholar" can imply that the person is a student, in the Immigration world a scholar is not a student. Rather, they are often professionals in their home countries who wish to expand their knowledge by doing research or teaching in their field of interest.
• Some scholars are funded by the hosting ISU department, while others are funded by their home government, a scholarship, or family funds.
• Since the main focus is cultural exchange, rather than employment, exchange visitors are considered "non-immigrants" whose stays are temporary and they are not eligible for tenure-track employment.
• Generally, ISU departments invite exchange visitors in 3 main categories: Research Scholar, Professor and Short-term (research) Scholars. Which 1 category is most appropriate depends on the objectives of the Exchange Visitor’s program at ISU. To be eligible, the person must be of the calibre of being a researcher or professor at home, and have qualifications that make him or her an expert in their field.
• For more information, please contact Stephanie Gonzalez, Exchange Student and Scholar Advisor.

 

Questions?

If you are interested in hosting or hiring a foreign scholar, we would be glad to assist you with the Immigration process and discuss other considerations. Please contact us at 438-5276 to make an appointment.