International Scholars

Overview

Baylor University has been approved by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor J-1 Exchange Visitors participating in academic research, teaching and observation at Baylor. Scholars use the Exchange Visitor program for official appointments such as temporary faculty, research, postdoctoral or postgraduate fellows, as well as other temporary academic appointments. The J-1 visa cannot be used for ladder-track or tenured appointments.  The majority of temporary visiting researchers and scholars come to teach or conduct research.

It is important to remember that when a Baylor academic department chooses to invite a scholar to campus, the academic department takes on the role of host and main point of contact for the visiting scholar before and during their stay.  There are many tasks and responsibilities associated with bringing a scholar to campus so departments should consider what resources they have to offer before inviting a scholar. 

International Student and Scholar Services is prepared to assist Baylor academic departments as they seek to bring these Scholars to campus.  The role of International Student and Scholar Services is to assist with the issuing of appropriate documents required for the visa application and subsequent entry into the U.S.  ISSS also assists scholars by providing assistance with understanding and complying with U.S. Government regulations as well as by providing cultural experiences that meet the Department of State's programming requirements. 

Please review the regulations, processes, and services that apply to visiting scholars listed below. If you have any questions, please contact Grace Semple-Paul via email at Grace_Semple-Paul@baylor.edu or by calling 254-710-1461.

Eligibility

1. The host department at Baylor must determine that the individual has the appropriate academic credentials, as well as English language proficiency, for the temporary academic appointment.
2. The host department must provide evidence of financial support (either Baylor funds or outside funding) for all expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family members.
3. The exchange visitor and his/her accompanying family members must maintain health insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State's requirements for Exchange Visitors.  Scholars hired by Baylor will be under Baylor's Health Insurance which meets all requirements.  Scholars who fall under the Auxiliary category may use their own insurance ONLY if it meets all U.S. Department of State requirements.  The policy must be submitted to the Center for Global Engagement for review BEFORE the scholar enters the U.S.  If, the policy does not meet the minimum requirements, the scholar and all accompanying dependents will be required to purchase insurance through Baylor University's insurance partner.  Coverage for sicknesses or accidents must be active during the entire J-1 scholar's (and any dependents) period of stay.

Processes

1. The department should review the processes found in the Faculty & Staff Resource Toolkit based on the type of scholar coming to campus (Baylor Hire, Baylor Auxiliary, Fulbright).  Checklists for each category of international scholar can be found HERE under the section entitled "Process for bringing a J-1 Scholar/Postdoc to Baylor."
2. The host department must assign a faculty member to serve as the visiting scholar's host.  The faculty host is responsible for assisting the scholar with tasks to be completed prior to and after arrival to campus.  It is highly recommended that the faculty host arrange a meeting with the Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services.
3. Both faculty hire and auxiliary hires must be vetted through HR which requires different types of paperwork and authorization.
4. Once Human Resources has cleared the scholar, ISSS will provide the Scholar with a link where the scholar can upload required documents to request the DS-2019 . (The DS-2019 is the immigration document that the Scholar needs to present at the Consulate when requesting the J visa.)
5. The faculty host assists the visiting scholar with finding housing, local transportation, and any other necessities.
6. When the scholar arrives to campus, they must check in with the Center for Global Engagement.

The documents below describe the processes for Baylor departments to use to bring visiting international scholars to campus including a list of tasks and responsibilities.  

• Baylor Hire (pdf)
• Baylor Auxiliary (pdf)
• Fulbright Scholar (pdf)
• Affiliate Faculty Policy (pdf) - This document is used when a department or office is bringing a temporary worker with a non-employment relationship to perform work or tasks at Baylor.  

English Language Support

The Baylor Graduate School offers a free English for Academic Purposes course for all international graduate students who will be teaching.  Visiting scholars may request to participate in the course as well and may be admitted if spaces are available.  There is a fee for the course.  For more information, click HERE.