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Office for Global Engagement International Services Office
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International Visiting Students

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Visiting students pursue activities of an educational or academic nature, often to further their undergraduate or graduate studies. As a potential visiting student, you’ll engage with the Global Visitor Program to complete paperwork and help ensure a smooth arrival.

How can I come to Rochester

If you are considering coming to the University as a visiting student, you should have already discussed this placement with a specific Rochester faculty member who will sponsor your visit. This faculty member submits a form to the University for review, relationship determination, and approval, officially starting the Global Visitor Program at Rochester.

The International Services Office does not facilitate “matches” between visitors and University faculty. It is your responsibility to connect with a Rochester faculty member prior to contacting us or submitting a visiting student/visiting researchers or faculty application.

Once you have secured a faculty sponsor, they will initiate the application process, and then we’ll be in touch with you for next steps.

Throughout the onboarding process, you must complete a series of forms to prepare the paperwork for your arrival, including immigration documents if you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The process is managed by our office, and we’ll be in touch throughout to help you know what steps to take.

Timeline: For international visitors, it can take six months—sometimes longer—to formally complete the Global Visitor Program application. Because of the multiple Rochester and government offices involved, we recommend you begin the process as early as possible.

Onboarding process for international visiting students

Reference the diagram or the drop-downs below to understand the onboarding process for international students as part of the Global Visitor Program. The total process could take up to 4-6 months, so please plan accordingly.

Diagram illustration of process

A diagram illustrating the Global Visitor Program student onboarding process. Web content alternative available.

Phase-by-phase written version of the process

Online proposal and approvals: 2-3 weeks

A. Global Visitor Proposal: Proposal is completed by faculty member or department admin

B. Request to Host A Visitor: International Services Office (ISO) requests approval from department chair

C. Review and Approvals: ISO requests approvals from Global Engagement, GEPA, and reviews for research security purposes

Record creation and visa determination (2-3 weeks)

A. Record Creation: ISO sends student information to Registrar to create UR Student account

B. Visitor Application: Visitor completes online application and submits supporting documents

C. Relationship Determination: ISO reviews visitor application to determine appropriate visa category for visitor

Immigration document (2 weeks)

A. Visiting New Student Intake Forms (VNSIF): ISO sends welcome/resource email to visitor and VNSIF instructions to department

B. VNSIF – Department: Department admin. submits department portion of VNSIF

C. VNSIF – Visitor: Visitor submits student portion of VNSIF

D. Immigration Document: ISO reviews VNSIF and issues appropriate immigration document

Offer letter and coordination with University offices (4-6 weeks)

A. Offer Letter: ISO sends offer letter template to department; department customizes and sends to visitor for signature

B. IP Agreement: ISO sends Intellectual Property agreement to department; department sends to visitor for signature. ISO submits to Office of Research and Project Administration

C. Notification to University Offices: ISO notifies Payroll, UHS and University IT of visitor’s details:

  • Program Dates
  • Visitor’s email
  • Student ID
  • Department
  • Department admin. email
Onboard and arrival (2-3 months)

A. Visa: Visitor applies for Visa

B. Registration: Department registers visitor in UR Student for applicable term and course section

C. Arrival: Department coordinates visitor arrival and logistics. ISO sends post-arrival checklist to department

D. Orientation: ISO coordinates orientation with visitor

E. Fees: ISO checks UR Student for any outstanding account balance and notifies department

Get support

Reach out for assistance

If you have questions or need help with the Global Visitor Program, email us at URVisitor@rochester.edu or call us at +1 (585) 275-2866.