A Visiting Graduate Researcher (VGR) is an individual, domestic or international, who is: (1) enrolled as degree-seeking graduate student at his or her home institution and maintaining satisfactory advancement towards the completion of his or her academic degree, and (2) invited to conduct short-term doctoral research or participate in a "prescribed course of study" such as a mentored or independent research project or master’s research collaborations with a faculty member at UCLA. Departments must contact UCLA Graduate Division for information regarding fees, application procedures and supporting documents. Complete application instructions are available at the UCLA Graduate Division website.
Once the department receives VGR approval notification from Graduate Division, the department can submit the DS-2019 request through MyBruin International by filling out the DS-2019 Initial & Transfer Request Form. Only academic department personnel have the ability to initiate the DS-2019 request through MyBruin International.
The Dashew Center needs at least 15 working days to process the DS-2019 form. Requests should be submitted at least 3 months prior to start date of program to give VGR enough time to apply for the J-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy and make travel arrangements. Documents and information needed to process the DS-2019 request is outlined below.
Also note the following guidelines when requesting a DS-2019 for graduate student researchers:
- Graduate student researchers will only be eligible for J-1 Short-Term Scholar or J-1 Research Scholar category.
- Programs must be for a minimum 22 days.
Copy of the Picture Page of Passports
Copy of the picture page of the passport for scholar and accompanying dependents if applicable.
Evidence of Financial Support
Include documentary evidence of financial support in English. If supported by UCLA no additional documents are necessary. Acceptable financial documents include:
- Personal funds: A recent bank statement no older than 6 months verifying the required amount of money. ATM receipts are not acceptable documents.
- Family funds from abroad: Bank statements, sponsorship letter, and/or bank letters verifying that EV will receive the required amount of money from their family during the term.
- Government or other sponsoring agency: A signed copy of the scholarship or award letter on official letterhead which states the amount and duration of the award.
- Home country institution/employer: Copy of signed letter from employer on official letterhead indicating the amount and continuation of salary payments during program participation.
Minimum required financial support is provided below:
- Scholar : $30,300 per year / $2525 per month
- Spouse : $6,000 per year / $500 per month
- Each Child : $2,667 per year / $222 per month
Resume/CV
Resume/CV of the VGR outlining academic background and professional experience.
Appointment Letter
Memo from the faculty supervisor, addressed to UCLA Exchange Visitor Program. Include the following in the letter:
- the exchange visitor’s name, title of UCLA appointment
- a detailed description of activities the EV will undertake, including breakdown of percentages of duties/activities, i.e., teaching, research, observation, training, attending conferences,
- the site where the research will take place, etc.
English Language Proficiency Document
Department sponsors need to determine English proficiency for J-1 Scholars in one of 5 ways:
- A UCLA recognized English language test;
- Certification by home academic institution where English is used;
- Certification by English Language School where English training was completed within the past 2 years;
- Copy of signed diploma or signed transcript from U.S. universities or universities in countries where English is the native language; or
- A documented interview conducted by the UCLA faculty advisor either in-person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option.
The document certifying English proficiency must be included with all NEW and TRANSFER DS-2019 Requests. English Certification is not required for EXTENSION requests. An applicant whose first language is English and is a citizen of a country in which English is the primary spoken language of daily life (e.g., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom) is exempt from this requirement.
Graduate Division Appointment Approval
Attach the provisional VGR approval email from the Graduate Division. This email will include the approved program dates. The dates should match the dates on the DS-2019 form.
jPATH Orientation Fee
jPATH Orientation Fee: $59; only required for new DS-2019 requests and for programs that are more than 3 months long. Must be paid through departmental recharge.
J-2 Dependent Fee
J-2 Dependent Fees: $40.00 processing fee per year of appointment. Can be paid either through departmental recharge by the department.
See FEE section.
Copy of Previous DS-2019 Forms
Copies of scholar's previous DS-2019 forms are required if they have participated in a J-1 program within the past 2 years.