Host an International Visitor

Foreign nationals visiting the University of North Georgia for meetings, tours or short-term independent research must communicate with the Center for Global Engagement before they arrive. Most foreign nationals will enter the US in B-1 or VWB status, but there are restrictions on type of activity, payment, and length of stay. Please contact the director of the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) for further information.

Interns and Scholars

If this will be your first time hosting an international exchange visitor, please schedule an initial meeting with the director of the CGE. You should schedule this meeting at least six months in advance of the scholar’s arrival to UNG.

International Exchange Visitors can come to UNG in the intern, short-term scholar, professor or researcher categories of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The duration of stay depends on the category but can last from one day up to five years. 

Here are the steps to invite a J-1 Exchange Visitor to the University of North Georgia:

1. Review and submit a Department Request for International Intern (PDF) or International Scholar (PDF) to the CGE. Any questions regarding payment or length of stay need to be clarified before inviting the scholar/intern to campus.
2. Complete an English Proficiency Interview Assessment (PDF) with the exchange visitor.
3. Send the DS-2019 Request Form (PDF) and the Financial Affidavit (PDF) to the exchange visitor you will be hosting. The exchange visitor should complete and return these forms with the supporting documentation.
4. Submit the completed DS-2019 Request Form, English Proficiency Interview Assessment, and the Financial Affidavit, with all supporting documentation, to the CGE. Requests for a DS-2019 must occur no later than four months before the proposed scholar arrival.

Requests for international interns require additional documentation. Please submit the following documents to the CGE if you are requesting an international intern:

• J-1 Student Intern Student Supplement (PDF)
• J-1 Student Intern Department Supplement (PDF)
• DS-7002

Transportation:  The sponsoring department is responsible for the visitor’s transportation. This may include: 

• transportation to/from airport
• shopping for groceries and household goods
• attending cultural events

For information about university vehicles please visit Parking & Transportation Services. and  Vehicle Rental Policy.

ID cards/meal plans: A request for ID cards should be sent to the UNG Card Office. Contact the UNG Card Office to find out what information is needed. 

Cultural Activities: Consider events/excursions that will showcase UNG and the surrounding communities. Suggestions include:

• Visiting all the campuses
• Attending campus events
• Attending community events
• Trip to Atlanta (World of Coke, CNN center, MLK Center, etc)
• Hiking
• Shopping

The sponsoring unit/contact person is responsible for organizing these events/excursions and should consider including existing programming sponsored by CGE.  Please contact CGE for more information on upcoming events.