SDSU Faculty International Visitor

For SDSU faculty planning to welcome an international scholar visitor

Thank you for your interest in welcoming an international scholar visitor to SDSU.  Faculty play an essential role in inviting and hosting visiting scholars and assume primary responsibility for ensuring that the colleagues they invite are housed, welcomed to campus, and connected to meaningful scholarly experiences.


For SDSU faculty planning to welcome an International Scholar Visitor with Fullbright Scholarship

Since Fulbright, rather than SDSU, is the sponsor of the J-1 visa, the Office of Faculty Advancement is not involved in the scholar's J-1 visa process. The inviting mentor and their home department are the primary contacts. Faculty should reach out to their Immigration Representative or Department coordinator to commence the boarding process. Additionally, make sure that they comply with all the other requirements. 

Please see below for more information. 

For more information please visit:  College Dean’s Office–Immigration Rep

For more information please visit: Faculty Advancement and Student Success

For more information please visit:  International Affairs

 Staff in the academic unit sponsoring the visitor access and initiate the volunteer requisition form via Human Resources

Please be mindful of the following as you engage in conversations with international scholar colleagues:

  • Please ensure that international scholar colleagues understand the high cost and limited availability of housing in San Diego prior to making application.  SDSU faculty who invite international scholar colleagues to campus, whether as a J-1 visitor or in any other capacity, bear primary responsibility for helping visitors secure housing immediately upon arrival.  SDSU does not have institutional resources for housing, hosting, or helping visitors navigate local rental markets; you may provide this published SDSU guide to Off-Campus Housing.  If you are sponsoring a J-1 exchange visitor who faces acute housing insecurity, please contact your Dean immediately for assistance.
  • SDSU employment is not available to visitors who do not have authorization to work in the United States or whose residence is located outside the state of California.  
  • If a faculty member invites an international scholar colleague to campus, whether as  J-1 visitor or in any other capacity, the faculty member bears primary responsibility for providing direct, engaged navigational support–including getting a Red ID, an email, and finding their way to campus.  Visitors who do not have authorization to work in the United States may access campus resources (Red ID and email) once the Volunteer Form has been approved. Processing volunteer paperwork is subject to delays, especially during holidays and breaks.
  • If a faculty member invites an international scholar colleague to campus, whether as  J-1 visitor or in any other capacity, the faculty member bears primary responsibility for supporting visiting faculty during any exigencies, including travel delays, lost immigration documents, severe illness, robbery, arrest, domestic disturbance, natural disasters, etc.  Please contact University Police to report lost passports or any crime / incident involving a J-1 scholar; please also contact Faculty Advancement, as we are required to file incident reports with the Department of State.  For non J-1 visitors who require police assistance on campus, please contact University Police; for matters impacting J-1 visitors off campus, please call 911.
  • Delays in securing or processing visas or making consulate appointments are common. Sponsors bear primary responsibility for supporting visitors through any delays or exigencies.