Sponsoring International Visitors

The purpose of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.” 

If you would like the UM to sponsor international visitors (faculty or students) for any length of time, please contact umsi.human.resources@umich.edu at least 3 months in advance. It's critical that visitors do not purchase flights or secure housing before they have been approved if UMSI is sponsoring them. UMSI must sponsor them if they are working on your research with you. Sponsoring a visiting scholar is a carefully coordinated process between faculty, UMSI HR, the exchange visitor, the International Center, and the Shared Services Center.

If they are coming to work on their own research for a couple of months and want to come on a B or tourist visa, that is different. HR doesn't need much notice for them and doesn't have to do anything related to their visa.  

Please remember to first get approval from the Associate Dean for Research and Innovation and then work with umsi.human.resources@umich.edu to start the process.  When emailing UMSI HR, please provide the following information:

• • • • • The visitor's current CV

        • Program start & end dates

          • Important! Confirm that the EV's proposed start date allows sufficient time for processing the DS-2019 request and for the EV to obtain a J-1 visa from the U.S. consulate. A lead time of at least 8 -10 weeks is recommended. 

        • Program objective

          • Be prepared to describe the purpose of the EV visit, with details about what they will do in support of it, including cultural and educational exchange objectives.  Will there be any sort of sharing of information, collaboration, or any benefit to the University? How does their visit benefit U of M?  What benefits does the visitor receive from coming to U of M?  At what frequency will they be attending workshops, meetings, attending lectures, meeting other students, professors, or UMSI faculty?  What will the extent of your communication be with them (ie, showing them around Ann Arbor only, or frequent interactions)? This information will be used to prepare the Department of State (DOS) letter. Please be very descriptive and provide as much information as you can. 

        • Let us know if you expect to employ them in any capacity (i.e., Research Asst temp).

        • Also let us know if they will be supporting your research, or conducting their own. If yours, what particular research and/or project? If they are conducting their own, what UM resources will they need?

For more information:

• J-1 Visa Request Process

• Overview of the J-1 Exchange Program

• Your Responsibilities When Sponsoring an Exchange Visitor

• International Center: J-1 Scholars and Professors

• Shared Services Center: J-1 Visa Coordination