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International Services Office
Office for Global Engagement

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, you’ll have to apply to come to Rochester as part of the Global Visitor Program.

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.

Apply to come to Rochester

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/application and approvals: 2-3 weeks

Steps in this phase include:

  1. Global Visitor Proposal: Proposal is completed by faculty member or department admin.
  2. Request to host a visitor: International Services Office (ISO) requests approval from department chair
  3. Visitor application: Visitor completes online application
  4. Reviews and approvals: ISO requests approvals from Global Engagement, GEPA, and others
Relationship determination and offer letter (2-3 weeks)

Steps in this phase include:

  1. Relationship determination: ISO reviews visitor application to determine relationship as student or scholar
    1. If classified as scholar, visitor application is sent to ISO’s Scholar Team for further instruction
  2. Offer letter: ISO drafts offer letter to share with department; department sends offer letter and Intellectual Property agreement (IP) to visitor for signature
  3. Forms submitted: Visitor submits signed offer letter and IP to ISO
UR Student and Office of Research and Project Administration (2 weeks)

Steps in this phase include:

  1. ISO enters student information in STudent Admin Support System (SASS)
  2. Once student ID is generated, ISO emails visitor’s IP agreement to OPRA
  3. ISO changes student status to ‘P’ (immigration sponsorship) in UR Student
  4. Immigration sponsorship status feeds to URcompass
Immigration document and resources (4-6 weeks)

Steps in this phase include:

  1. ISO sends welcome/resource email to visitor and Visiting New Student Intake Form (VNSIF) instructions to department
  2. Department admin submits department version of VNSIF
  3. Visitor submits student version of VNSIF
  4. ISO reviews VNSIF and issues appropriate immigration document
  5. ISO notifies Payroll Office, UHS, and University IT of visitors details, including:
    1. Program dates
    2. Visitor’s email
    3. Student ID
    4. Department
    5. Department admin email
Onboard and arrival (2-3 months)

Steps in this phase include:

  1. Visitor applies for visa
  2. Department registers visitor in UR Student for applicable term and course section
  3. Department coordinates visitor arrival and logistics; ISO sends post-approval checklist to department
  4. ISO coordinates orientation with visitor
  5. 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.