Information and Application Procedures for Prospective Visiting Scholars

Overview

EECS Faculty hosting Visiting Scholars, view the EECS Policy on Visiting Scholars.

The Electrical Engineering (Cory Hall) and Computer Science (Soda Hall) Divisions of EECS are able to accommodate a limited number of visitors each year under the University's Visiting Scholar and Postdoctoral Appointment program (VSPA). Visiting Scholars must be holders of the Ph.D. (conferred) or equivalent.

An honorary appointment as Visiting Scholar in EECS is contingent on the endorsement of the EE or CS Division Chair, the College of Engineering, the Graduate Division's Visiting Scholar & Postdoctoral Appointment office (VSPA), as well as on issuance of the appropriate visa (if needed) by the (Berkeley International Office).

Postdoctoral appointments are different from Visiting Scholar appointments. There are two main types of Postdoctoral appointments under UC policy :

"Employee" or "fellow" Postdoc status, where the University issues the salary check and
"Paid-Direct" Postdoc status, where the Scholar holds a postdoctoral fellowship from an extramural agency and that agency pays the Scholar directly.

Faculty members should note, however, that bringing in a Paid-Direct Postdoctoral Scholar still generates costs to the host professor's funds because there are mandatory benefits charges. The faculty member will be asked to identify the funding source for all such appointments before the case can proceed.

Upon the Postdoc's arrival — including Paid-Direct Postdocs — UCB Human Resources system actions required to formalize the appointment and set up benefits are processed through the Engineering Research Support Office (ERSO) and the VSPA Office.

The VSPA Office also has a program for Visiting Student Researchers who are in the final stages of completing the Ph.D.

Fees for Visiting Scholars

Berkeley campus University Services Fee: Each Visiting Scholar at Berkeley pays a $200 fee which provides a campus identification card and access to facilities such as libraries and campus email. See the facilities section below.

The fee is paid at the Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Program Office located in 336 Sproul Hall. Upon payment, VSPA will validate the back of the VSPA identification card and all privileges will remain valid for a maximum of one year from the date of payment.
J-1 visa processing fee: There is a $410 fee for the processing of the documents needed to secure a J-1 visa. See the J-1 visa section below. This payment must accompany the Visiting Scholar application form or be paid directly by the faculty member hosting the international scholar's visit. The check or money order must be drawn in U.S. funds, by a bank having a business relationship with a U.S. bank. The check / money order should be made out to UC Regents.

Visiting Scholar Application Process

The Visiting Scholar application process consists of three parts: (1) EECS Department approval, (2) UC Berkeley Graduate Division / VSPA Office approval, and (3) J-1 visa approval for international scholars.

1. EECS Approval

All Visiting Scholars must have an EECS Department faculty sponsor who will host their visit. Prospective visiting scholars should first contact the faculty member with whom they would like to work, and explain why it would be useful for their research to visit Electrical Engineering or Computer Science at Berkeley. They must also explain what sources of financial support they will have while in Berkeley. The host faculty member is responsible for arranging space for the Visiting Scholar during his/her time in EECS. Faculty members considering hosting a Visiting Scholar, see the EECS Policy on Visiting Scholars for information.

After receiving written approval from the host faculty member, Visiting Scholars must submit the following documents to the Electrical Engineering Division or Computer Science Division:

VSPA Visiting Scholar application form (see #25).
UC Patent Acknowledgement form
Please note that the Patent Acknowledgement form cannot be altered or amended in any way.
A copy of the latest degree certificate
A current curriculum vitae (CV)

Send completed application packets and the J-1 visa fee (international scholars) to:

    EE Acad. Personnel Assistant-Visiting Scholars
    280 Cory Hall
    University of California, Berkeley
    Berkeley, CA 94720-1770
    heather@eecs

    CS Acad. Personnel Assistant-Visiting Scholars
    387 Soda Hall
    University of California, Berkeley
    Berkeley, CA 94720-1776
    lydia@eecs

APPLICATION DEADLINES: To ensure completion of the lengthy application process for an on-time arrival, prospective visitors should submit applications by April 1 for visits that are to begin on or after September 1 (during Fall term), and by August 1 for visits that are to begin on or after January 1 (during Spring term).

2. Graduate Division Approval

When application materials are complete and endorsed by the Department Chair, they are submitted to the College of Engineering (COE) and to Graduate Division's VSPA office for review. COE and Graduate Division VSPA approval are required before a J-1 visa can be issued. Please note that obtaining these approvals can take many weeks. Therefore, Visiting Scholars are urged to complete and return all parts of the VSPA application package as quickly as possible to avoid delays.

3. J-1 Visas

Most international scholars will need to obtain a J-1 visa to pursue their research in the EECS Department. J-1 visas are obtained following the issuance by UC Berkeley of a DS-2019. Visa applications are only processed after the Visiting Scholar application secures College of Engineering and VSPA approval.

Required Health Insurance

All international Visiting Scholars who enter the United States with a non-immigrant visa, and who intend to stay for one month or more, are required to have health insurance for themselves and their dependents. For information about submitting Proof of Coverage of health insurance, please see http://uhs.berkeley.edu/vspd/visitingscholar.shtml#proof

International Visiting Scholars who do not have health insurance may purchase a group plan through University Health Services. This must be done within 31 days of arriving at UC Berkeley. Insurance coverage may not be effective immediately; waiting periods can be from 3 to 36 days. Scholars are advised to purchase travel insurance to cover this period. See Health Insurance for International Visiting Scholars or call the health advisor at The University Health Services, Tang Center, 2222 Bancroft Way, 3rd Floor, (510) 642-8640.

Domestic Visiting Scholars are not eligible to buy insurance under group health plans; however, referrals for independent coverage are available by calling the number above.

Informational meetings on health insurance are held every Tuesday morning at 10am at the Tang Education Center (1st floor). For further information with regard to these informational meetings, call 642-5700.

Benefits & Privileges for Visiting Scholars

Facilities

Library: Visiting Scholars who have paid the $200 University Services fee have access to the UC Berkeley Library's extensive materials and are given normal borrowing privileges. For further information visit the Doe Library Main Circulation Desk, Cards and Privileges: 510.642.6647
Courses: Visiting Scholars may audit courses with the professor's permission, but will not receive academic credit. Please note this privilege does not apply to courses offered by Summer Sessions or University Extension.
Email: UC Berkeley Email accounts can be set up following payment of the $200 University Services Fee; visit the User and Account Services Office, 206 Evans Hall: 510.642.7355.

Please note that EECS Department computing / Email accounts are not covered by the University Services Fee, but must be paid for separately. The scholar must discuss arrangements for paying for EECS computing services with the host, before arrival.

Housing

Visiting Scholars are eligible to use Cal Rentals services for an additional Housing Office Fee (510) 642-3642. Visit the UC Housing Office, 2525 Channing Way, (510) 642-0706. University Family Student Housing may be available if no Berkeley students are on the waiting list. Contact the Family Student Housing program at (510) 642-4109. Private rental agencies also exist in Berkeley. Most visiting scholars who intend to bring families should come in advance of their families to look for housing. Finding suitable housing often takes many days, and hotel accommodations while a family is looking for housing are expensive.

Living Expenses

Visit the Berkeley International Office's webpage on Living at Berkeley for information about transportation, money and banking, service organizations that help newcomers settle in, and make the stay of continuing international students, scholars, and their families more pleasant, shopping, obtaining Social Security card or California Drivers License, paying taxes in the U.S.

Financial Aid

The University does not have funds to assist visiting scholars with their living expenses. Nor does it have sufficient staff to aid visitors in securing outside funding.

Parking

Visiting Scholars are entitled to obtain a Fee Lot Permit for use in campus parking lots at the faculty/staff rate upon presentation of a valid VSPA identification card. Visit Parking & Transportation or call General Information at (510) 642-4283; Permit Issuance (510) 643-7701.

Athletic Privileges

Visiting Scholars who have paid the $200 University Services Fee may purchase a discounted membership at the Recreational Sports Facility, located at 2301 Bancroft Way, (510) 642-7796. Available with membership are: outdoor swimming pools, strength training, cardiovascular machines, aerobics and fitness classes, tennis, racquetball, squash, handball, basketball, volleyball, badminton, and more. Membership information is available at the RSF Cashier's Station, open seven days a week, with calendars and program information posted on the website.

Scholars may also purchase a faculty/staff discount card to attend football or basketball games at the Athletic Ticket Office, located at 2223 Fulton Street. Visit Intercollegiate Athletics, 2223 Fulton Street: (510) 642-3277.

Immigration Orientation meetings

Visiting Scholars are required to attend an orientation meeting hosted by the Berkeley International Office. See Orientation Programs Schedules and Descriptions. Scholars should bring their:

Completed and Signed Scholar Arrival Notification form
Passport
DS-2019
I-94 (White card in passport)

And all of these documents for accompanying family members, if any. It is not necessary to pre-register for the meetings. For further information, call (510) 642-2818. In addition to covering important immigration matters and regulations, this meeting offers information about American customs and culture, campus and community services.

Questions? Please contact:

For Electrical Engineering: heather@eecs, phone (510) 642-3497
For Computer Science: lydia@eecs, phone (510) 643-8230

Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

UC Berkeley