(updated as of July 27, 2021)

Visiting international undergraduate level (research-only) students are current undergraduate students attending international universities who come to Rice University to engage in experiential research-only learning for less than 1 year. This often occurs in the summer months. Visiting International Undergraduate Researchers do not yet have a Bachelor's degree, or Bachelor's degree equivalent, and are not pursuing an undergraduate degree at Rice.

These students are processed as Visiting Undergraduate Researchers on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa (or in some cases an F-1 visa). They will be required to enroll in a prescribed course of study with a focus on experiential research-only learning. Below you will find the required documents and procedures.

J-1 Visa Document Checklist

Step 1
Verify that the Visiting International UG Researcher is a current undergraduate students attending an international university who is coming to Rice University to engage in experiential research-only learning for less than 1 year.

Step 2
Please upload all of the following documentation to RiceBox:

• Copy of the passport identification page
• Completed DS-2019 Request Form for Scholars, Part I: Scholar Form (completed by scholar)
• Completed DS-2019 Request Form for Scholars, Part II: Academic Department Form, including the English Language Proficiency Determination Form (completed by Rice academic department) – Skype interviews for English proficiency cost $30 and are scheduled by the Academic Department at CAPC (Center for Academic and Professional Communication).
• Proof of financial support, minimum of $2000/month – additional funding is required for dependents, if applicable ($4860/spouse/year or $405/spouse/month & $1800/child/year or $150/child/month)
• Original offer letter provided by Dean's Office
• CV
• Proof of paid $300 J-1 EV Rice central administrative fee. To make payments, visit https://signup.rice.edu/JScholarFee/ or submit an IDT to A1/698000/58100 (if electronic, please select Crystal Davis or Flor Garcia as approver)
• Official college transcript from all colleges or universities attended
• Dean of Students Recommendation Form
• Proof of Meningococcal Vaccination Record or Waiver (if under 22 years old)
• If scholar is bringing dependents: Copy of passport identification page for each dependent
• If scholar is bringing dependents: Copy of marriage certificate / birth certificate
• For scholars transferring in from another U.S. Institution: Please also include the Rice Transfer-In Request Form. Transferring in a scholar can be more tricky and is not always possible. Please reach out to a J advisor for more direction and support.

Step 3
After reviewing the submissions and following up with OISS on any questions, guide the Visiting International UG Researcher to submit the online application, along with a non-refundable application fee of $100. For questions on the application or application fee, please reach out to the Office of the Registrar.

F-1 Visa Document Checklist

Step 1
Please upload all of the following documentation to RiceBox:

• Current immigration documentation (i.e. I-20, F-1 visa stamp, I-94 record, passport ID page
• Authorization/approval from a Designated School Official in home institution
• Dean's Offer Letter
• Dean of Students Recommendation Form
• Proof of Meningococcal Vaccination Record or Waiver (if under 22 years old)

Step 2
After reviewing the submissions and following up with OISS on any questions, guide the Visiting International UG Researcher to submit the online application, along with a non-refundable application fee of $100. For questions on the application or application fee, please reach out to the Office of the Registrar.

Deadlines

Please note that in addition to the standard 90-day lead time required for immigration processing, Academic Department must plan for the appropriate term of enrollment based on the Office of the Registrar's standard registration deadlines. For more information, contact the Office of the Registrar.

Evaluation

Rice's Visiting International Undergraduate Researcher program supports the Vision for the Second Century, Second Decade (V2C2), through encouraging meaningful academic and research exchange collaborations with partner institutions. An evaluation for the Visiting UG Researchers is needed at the completion of their program. Please complete this requirement by replying to the notification email.

Graduate School at Rice University

To maximize recruitment efforts for Rice's graduate programs, you are encouraged to connect Visiting International Undergraduate Researchers with academic departments of their interest.

Resources

• Website for Visiting Undergraduate Researchers (Office of the Registrar)
• Website for Faculty / Staff
• Payroll

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Q: Is the Visiting International Undergraduate Researcher required to upload documents into RiceBox?
   A: No, only Academic Departments have access to RiceBox.
2. Q: How do Academic Departments gain access to RiceBox?
   A: Please contact Justin Schilke, Associate Registar, Office of the Registrar, or his designee. Contact information: jschilke@rice.edu, 713-348-3157.
3. Q: Do Academic Departments need to upload the Dean's Offer Letter as well as other required documents to RiceBox?
   A: Yes, please upload all required documents to RiceBox.
4. Q: Do Academic Departments need to send OISS hard copies of the documents?
   A: No, OISS will receive all required paperwork through RiceBox.
5. Q: Do Academic Departments need to do anything else after submitting required documents to RiceBox?
   A: Yes.
   1) Send an email to OISS (oiss@rice.edu) and Justin Schilke (jschilke@rice.edu) at the Registrar's Office notifying them that documents have been added to RiceBox.
   2) Once the DS-2019 has been issued by OISS, the Academic Department must pick up the immigration packet and send it to the student.
   3) Confirm that mandatory Immigration Check-in appointment for the student with OISS by calling 713-348-6095.
6. Q: Do the Visiting International Undergraduate Researchers need to visit Payroll on their first day if they are being paid by Rice?
   A: Yes, all Visiting International Undergraduate Researchers that are being paid by Rice must have an EPAF and go to Payroll on their first day.
7. Q: Does the J-1 Visiting International Undergraduate Researcher need to have health insurance?
   A: Yes, all J-1s (and their dependents) are required to have health insurance for the full duration of their program at Rice. Please check the Scholar Health Insurance website for additional health insurance information.
8. Q: What is the process for registering the Visiting International Undergraduate Researcher for a 0-credit course?
   A: Please contact the Office of the Registrar for directions.