International Scholars

Academic Departments bringing an international scholar to Rollins College should consult with Human Resources and the Office of International Student & Scholar Services (OISSS) on the process of immigration sponsorship of a scholar. Departments should review and follow the Guidelines for Hosting an International Visitor.

International scholars typically are short-term scholars, research scholars, or professors coming to Rollins for a short-term, non-tenure track appointment. If bringing a visitor for a single lecture or two and the visitor can secure a B1 visitor for business visa, the scholar would not need to work with OISSS. However, departments will find good recommendations in the Guidelines. If in doubt about which visa is appropriate, consult with OISSS or Human Resources.

Please note that if your department is hosting a scholar as a part of a faculty exchange, the Rollins faculty member going abroad will work with the host institution abroad for the immigration process necessary for the Rollins faculty member to go to that particular country. OISSS cannot assist with this process. OISSS is only able to assist the incoming visiting scholar with their U.S. immigration process.

• DS-2019 Request Form A
  Academic departments must complete and submit to OISSS at least 2-3 months prior to the intended arrival date of the scholar.
• Guidelines for Hosting an International Visitor
  Helpful resource for academic departments planning to hosting an international scholar.

• DS-2019 Request Form B
  Scholars must complete and submit this form to OISSS at least 2-3 months prior to their intended arrival date. The following must be attached to the form:
  1. Scan of valid passport of scholar and dependents, if applicable
  2. Evidence of financial support if funding is not being provided by Rollins.
• International Scholar's Go-To Guide
  Helpful information on immigration, health insurance, financial arrangements, etc.

Pursuant to the Immigration and Naturalization Act, § 212(e); 22 CFR, exchange visitors may be subject to a two-year home country residence requirement in which they must “reside and be physically present” in their “home” country for an aggregate of two years before being eligible for certain immigration benefits. While they are subject to 212(e), aliens are ineligible for the following benefits: INA § 212(e); 22 C.F.R.

• An immigrant visa or adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (immigrant/green card) status;
• An H visa (temporary workers and dependents), an L visa (intracompany transferees and dependents), or a K visa (fiancé and dependents);
• To change their non-immigrant status within the United States from J to any other non-immigrant category except A (diplomatic), G (international organization), or U (victims of qualifying criminal activity) statuses.

Not all exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home residence requirement. There are three grounds on which an exchange visitor can become subject:

• If the exchange visitor’s participation in an exchange program was financed, directly or indirectly, by the United States government or a foreign government for the purpose of exchange;
• If the skills that the exchange visitor is coming to develop or exercise are in a field which the exchange visitor’s “home” government requested be included on the State Department Exchange Visitor skills list;
• The exchange visitor comes to the United States to receive “graduate medical education or training.”

The program start date on your Form DS-2109 is based on the Form DS-2019 Request Form completed by the sponsoring department. Scholars are required to enter the U.S. by the program start date. However, they may enter as early as 30 days prior to the date.

• Please notify us by email of your planned arrival date and time.
• If arriving before arranging local housing, there are many hotels near campus.

What to carry with you when traveling to the U.S

• Passport
• Rollins invitation letter
• Rollins contact phone numbers
  OISSS: 407-691-1158
  Campus Safety: 407-646-2999
  
• Form DS-2019
• Proof of SEVIS fee payment
• Copies of financial support documentation

• Passport, DS-2019, and luggage will be inspected.
• Issuance of instructions on how to print Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, required a proof of status to various other government agencies. After entering the U.S., visit cbp.gov/i94 to verify that entry was entered correctly with a classification of J-1 and an expiration of D/S.

Rollins College hosts a mandatory International Scholar Orientation for all new scholars.

New international scholars at Rollins represent a unique and treasured new addition to our community. To provide scholars with the tools and information necessary for a successful transition to the U.S., Florida, and Rollins, we provide this special orientation covering issues that are particular to international scholars.

Once scholars have determined their arrival date, they should arrange their orientation with the office. The orientation will take about 2-3 hours.

Topics to be covered:

• Immigration status and responsibilities
• Getting started in the U.S. (social security numbers, driver’s licenses, bank accounts)
• Health insurance and health care
• Understanding employment eligibility in the U.S.
• Life at Rollins and beyond