Visiting Scholars

It would be impossible to quantify the benefits derived by our faculty, students and the broader Cedar Valley community from the exceptional diversity of perspectives brought by foreign scholars. These individuals enrich our community’s intellectual and research endeavors, international connections and global perspectives.

Being an international visiting scholar is an enriching experience that cannot be matched by domestic learning alone. Visiting scholars have opportunities for networking, researching and promote internationalization. The universities that host international scholars benefit from the variety of perspectives and global experiences.

How Can my Department Host a Visiting Scholar?

How Can I Become a Visiting Scholar?

Over the past three years, UNI has hosted over 100 scholars from 31 different countries to conduct research under the guidance or in collaboration with members of the UNI faculty. Length of stay for visiting scholars can range from for a few days to a full year. Visiting scholars benefit from an accommodating place to pursue their work and from an ability to exchange ideas with our faculty, other visiting scholars, our students and our diverse Cedar Valley community.

In addition to pursuing their own research objectives, visiting scholars are often invited to actively participate in other university activities, such as:

Deliver a formal lecture to the school/college
Participate in departmental or interdisciplinary program seminars
Engage in formal or informal discussions with graduate students
Undertake collaborative research with faculty or staff
Present guest lectures in classes

The University of Northern Iowa encourages colleges, departments and faculty members to invite foreign scholars to campus to engage in academic and research collaborations and to teach. Such visits provide the UNI community with a diversity of perspectives, which facilitate the generation of knowledge.

Faculty and Departments

The complementary reverse of reaching across the border to seek global research, teaching and service opportunities is responding to those who reach across their borders to us, whether responding to our invitation, or on their own initiative. For this reason, the Office of International Engagement (OIE) facilitates the hosting of international visitors at every level, especially from current partner institutions or prospective partners.

These visits may last for a day or more than a year, and include

Individual faculty or groups of faculty for specific research or collaboration
College deans, department heads and other administrators
Government officials

International visitors come to UNI for a variety of purposes. Some are here for a signing ceremony to launch a new partnership or to finalize arrangements for a cooperative program. Still others come to teach new skills or concepts or to offer differing perspectives on important issues. Many come to teach, engage in joint research projects, or serve as guest lecturers or featured speakers.

The Office of International Engagement (OIE) provides assistance to hosting departments or individual faculty and staff with the latest immigration processes, protocol, housing and other visitor options to help you make the visit as valuable and meaningful as possible.

As soon as you know you would like to invite a guest, contact us at international@uni.edu and we will guide you through the process of securing all the required paperwork approvals and arrangements.

Our goal is to support faculty and staff seeking international collaboration. OIE will work with you to create the best possible experience for you and your visitor from arrival to departure.

Process for Inviting International Scholars

Planning ahead is the most important thing you can do to prepare for an international visitor coming to campus.

If you are bringing a J-1 Scholar to campus, starting the process at least three months before you expect your visitor to arrive is best. Visiting scholars coming on a B-1 or Visa Waiver Program/Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) takes less time, but it is best to allow at least one month for adequate preparation.
If you are unsure what visa applies to your scholar please contact the Immigration & Advising Coordinator.
Complete the Host Visitor Registry Form. It is best to get all department and/or Dean approvals prior to submitting the form.
1. Needs to be completed by the host department
2. Dean and Department Head approval is required if any financial commitments are made on behalf of UNI (i.e. honorarium, in-kind services, travel or housing reimbursement)
3. If the international scholar is self-supporting, then Department Head approval is all that is required. If a scholar is self-funded, documents that prove sufficient funding are required
The Visiting Scholar Form needs to be completed by the person coming to UNI - a copy of the scholar's passport will be required in this step.
The Office of International Engagement will create a Letter of Invitation with program details. The Letter of Invitation needs to be approved by the appropriate Dean/Department Head as well as the OIE director and signed by the scholar prior to visa appointment.
If a J-1 visa is needed, a DS-2019 form will be issued. Form DS-2019 is necessary for embassy appointment.
The host department has other duties which can be found below under Responsibilities of a Host.

There may be potential tax implications for the host department and/or visitor if financial commitments are made on behalf of UNI. For more information, you can email cheryl.klahsen@uni.edu or call 319.273.6212 in the Office of Business Operations (OBO) or check out International Persons and Taxation on their website.

Responsibilities of a Host

The relationship between a visiting scholar and an UNI faculty mentor can range from close collaboration to casual oversight. It is important that the nature and scope of the relationship, as well as the specifics of the prospective visitor’s research project, be worked out by the two before the visiting scholar arrives on campus.

The academic department contributes to a successful stay of a visiting scholar by

Providing an office, access to computer and other facilities as appropriate
Inviting visiting scholars to observe classes and attend faculty workshops and other academic events (space permitting)
Complete the Host Visitor Registry
Assigning an academic host (faculty or staff member) to the visiting scholar

The academic host contributes to a successful stay by:

Being a point of contact for the Office of International Engagement (OIE) to provide the necessary information to process immigration documents
By completing the Host Visitor Registry if it has not been completed by the department
If the scholar is a J-1 visitor they must possess sufficient proficiency in the English. The the host will need to determine that the exchange visitor has sufficient proficiency in the English language to function in an English-speaking environment. This can be determined by setting up either a Zoom meeting or phone call.
If on-campus housing is not available, assist with other housing options
Welcoming the visiting scholar to the Cedar Valley by providing airport pick up/return and access to on-campus housing upon arrival to our campus
Arrange for visiting scholar's initial visit to the grocery store to get needed supplies
Facilitate introductions to department colleagues and invite the visiting scholar to lunch or dinner during their first week on campus
Offering a tour of the community and provide information on activities and events of interest available on campus and in the community during their time on campus.

Office of International Engagement Responsibilities

(OIE) works with the host and the visiting scholar to ensure everything is in place to make their visit successful. Preparations may vary, depending on the visiting scholar’s visa status, length of stay, compensation and specific needs.

OIE will take care of the following when needed

Contact visiting scholar to complete their entry in the Visiting Scholar Form
Prepare and process the Letter of Invitation for visiting scholar, when appropriate, with required signatures from Dean or Department Head, OIE Director and visiting scholar
Forward immigration information to the Immigration & Advising Coordinator in order to prepare the DS-2019 for J-1 scholars
Provide electronic documents to the scholar for the J-1 visa application
Confirm all immigration requirements are met by the visiting scholar, including required health insurance and English proficiency assessment by host
Introduce visiting scholar to Cheryl Klahsen in the Office of Business Operations (OBO) to complete possible taxation and payment paperwork
Assist with arrangements for on-campus housing and meals (paid by host or visitor), as needed
Arrange for a University ID for the visiting scholar, library access, housing contract, meal plan, campus tour and complete a Personnel Action Form (PAF), as required
Provide information on school enrollment when children are coming with the visiting scholar
Coordinate host airport pickup/return with the academic host to ensure the scholar arrives safely
Provide an information packet and small gift to welcome the scholar to UNI

Host Visitor Links

Every host and international visiting scholar must be entered in the UNI International Visitor Registry. The academic host takes the first step and completes the H ost Visitor Registry Form. Once completed, the Office of International Engagement will be notified and will contact with the international visiting scholar to complete their Visiting Scholar Form, as well as other preparations in advance of their arrival.

International Persons and Taxation

Offering a payment for services (honorarium) or travel, housing, meals or other in kind items may have possible tax implications to your international visitor or to your department.

A host department should inform the visitor that they will be responsible for any tax payments due based on honorarium or in kind items received.

The host department may also choose to pay the taxes on behalf of their visitor: the tax itself is then considered income for the visitor, in addition to any other taxable income received.

OIE recommends that the academic host review all services, payments and any payment agreements with Cheryl Klahsen in the Office of Business Operations (OBO) at cheryl.klahsen@uni.edu or 319.273.6212.

More information can be found on the Office of Business Operations website - International Persons and Taxation.

Housing for International Scholars

On-campus housing options for international visiting scholars is limited and is more challenging for scholars with families.

UNI has one bedroom efficiency apartments located on the west side of campus that can be used by single adults or two person couples. These apartments offer a private bedroom (queen size bed), bathroom, closet space, and a combined a living room, dining and kitchenette area. Each apartment is fully furnished with bedding, towels, pots, pans, dishes, silverware and basic furniture. Monthly rent includes all utilities, cable television, internet and laundry. Reservations are made on a first come, first served basis.

Please contact the Office of International Engagement for availability and rental rates.

Health Insurance Requirements

If you are traveling on a B-1/B-2 visa or the Visa Waiver Program/Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), you are not required by the U.S. government to have health insurance coverage while in the United States. However, it is strongly recommended that all international visitors have health insurance due to the high cost of medical care in the U.S.

All incoming J-1 visiting scholars and their dependents are required to have health insurance for the duration of their stay at UNI. The United States Federal Government sets minimum insurance requirements for J-1 Scholars which can be found in the Exchange Visitor Program Welcome Brochure.

You are free to choose your health insurance provider. We understand that this can seem overwhelming and complicated.

Here is a list of some reputable J-1 compliant insurance providers

A copy of your insurance needs to be sent to the Office of International Engagement (OIE) for review by the Immigration & Advising Coordinator, to ensure it meets all J-1 requirements.

Links to non-UNI internet sites are provided for your convenience and do not constitute an endorsement.

Looking for an Academic Match

If you are a prospective international visitor and would like to come to the University of Northern Iowa but need assistance establishing an academic host, please contact the Director of International Engagement.

The Exchange Visitor Brochure

The Department of State welcomes you to the United States. We are pleased to receive you as an exchange visitor. As an Exchange Visitor Program participant, you will acquire an experience in the United States, and as an ambassador of your country you will help educate the American people about your home country and culture.

This brochure will help you understand the purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program, provide you with information on contacting the Department of State, and introduce you to some of the major requirements of the Exchange Visitor Program regulations.