Preparing for New International Visiting Scholars

Although the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) helps arriving international scholars, we are not adequately staffed to personally accompany each new international visitor to look for housing, or to assist them with shopping for furniture, groceries, etc. upon their arrival.

The International Visiting Scholar should be encouraged to meet with our office during their first week on campus. The ISSO provides assistance with the visa issuance process and continues to ensure that the scholar and their dependents maintain legal status while at UMass Lowell. We include the scholar on all social activities offered by the office.

We also provide a personalized arrival orientation which includes the following:

  • Information on housing (but we do not personally assist in taking scholars to look for housing)
  • Information on how to set up utilities (electricity, phone, gas, cable service, etc.), who to call/what to present
  • Provide letters/call landlords whenever necessary to verify their legal status
    • Provide the same for cell phone companies and other vendors as needed
  • How to obtain a Social Security Number
  • How to apply for a UMass Lowell ID and driver's license
  • Immigration status, travel, work authorization information

UMass Lowell Host Department Responsibilities

Letter of Invitation - All visiting scholars require an invitation letter from their UMass Lowell supervisor to present with the visa documents at the US embassy when applying for the visa. The letter should state: dates of appointment; description of anticipated responsibilities (research, teaching, etc.); UMass Lowell financial support, if any. The letter should also identify whether or not the following apply: library privileges, office space, telephone and computer services, salary, and health insurance. This is very important as it alleviates any possibility of misunderstanding upon arrival.
Financial Documentation - The US embassy expects the ISSO will review financial documentation as proof of the visiting scholar's financial solvency prior to issuing the visa document. At UMass Lowell, we follow the following Estimate of Expenses:
  • $1,200/month ($14,400/year)
  • $400/month for spouse
  • $100/month per child
Health insurance costs are not included in the above-mentioned figures. Please expect an approximate additional cost of $250 per month per person for health insurance related costs.
Our office will provide information to the incoming scholar on housing, transportation, and other arrival logistics with the issuance of their visa document. However, your invitation to sponsor an international scholar goes beyond the invitation letter.

Please read below to help you prepare for a successful partnership:

  1. Verify that the visiting scholar has adequate English language proficiency to successfully interact with all at the University and not only with those at the university from their own country. We strongly encourage you to do a Skype interview to verify English proficiency.
  2. Verify that the visiting scholar has the necessary academic credentials and awareness of appropriate laboratory guidelines and export control policies to execute research in a safe and professional manner.
  3. Prepare to assist the visiting scholar to find appropriate housing upon arrival. Please note that the University does not provide on-campus housing to visiting scholars. We recommend you identify someone in your department that will assist the visiting scholar to locate the appropriate housing upon their arrival as well as assist them with shopping for initial groceries, taking public transportation, and getting acquainted with the campus and surrounding community.
  4. Review airport transportation options from Boston Logan Airport to Lowell. We will also provide this information to the incoming scholar. The scholar may provide their credit card information to make the reservations, or you may pay for their transportation costs. The ISSO can provide an additional transportation vendor, upon your request, that will charge your UMass Lowell account for the airport transportation service.
Flight Line: 1-800-245-2525
JT's Airport Shuttle Service: 1-978-934-9200
TWC Airport Limo: 1-800-223-2325

Visa Categories

You may also find an overview of the common visa categories on the University's Visa Categories webpage.