(updated as of October 18, 2019)
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.
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J-1 Visa Required Materials
The application must be completed, the application fee must be paid, and all of the documents must be uploaded at least 90 days before the visitor's expected arrival date at Rice.
| Application, Application Fee, and Required Documents to Upload to RiceBox | Provider | Where to Submit? |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Rice Visiting Undergraduate Researcher Application | Student applies with application from the Office of the Registrar's (OTR) **see Resources below | Student completes online |
| 2. Payment of $100 Application Fee | Student - Online OTR website | Student completes online |
| 3. DS-2019 Request Form: Part 1 | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 4. DS-2019 Request Form: Part 2 | Academic Department | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 5. J-1 Visiting Undergraduate Researcher Statement of Understanding | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 6. Visiting UG Academic Placement Plan | Sponsoring Rice Faculty Member | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 7. English Proficiency Proof (e.g. English Test or Skype Interview Score) | Student / Academic Department | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 8. Copy of Passport ID Page | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 9. Transcript | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 10. CV / Resume | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 11. Dean's Recommendation Letter | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 12. Proof of Financial Support (in most cases, only 50% of the funding may come from personal funds) | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 13. Proof of paid $300 J-1 EV Rice administrative fee. To make payment, visit https://signup.rice.edu/JScholarFee/ | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 14. Dean's Offer Letter | Academic Department | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 15. Proof of meningitis vaccination if student is under 22 years of age | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
| 16. Copy of U.S. immigration documents (if applicable) | Academic Department requests from Student | Academic Department uploads to RiceBox |
F-1 Visa Required Materials
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.
Mandatory Evaluation
Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Request
To maximize recruitment efforts, you are encouraged to reach out to Dean Matsuda (matsuda@rice.edu) to schedule a meeting for your Visiting Undergraduate Researchers to discuss graduate school opportunities here at Rice.
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
