Host an International Visitor

Short-term 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. Contact the director of the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) for further information.

Scholars

If this will be your first time hosting an international exchange visitor, 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. CGE staff will assist the department in finding the best category based on the purpose of the visit.

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

Visiting Scholar

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.

Hosting Department

  1. Review and submit an International Scholar (PDF) to the Center for Global Engagement. 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.

Submit all of the required documents above, including the DS-2019 request form and affidavit of support from the scholar, with all supporting documentation, to the CGE.

General Considerations for Hosting International Visitors

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, visit Parking & Transportation Services and Vehicle Rental Policy.

ID cards/meal plans: A request for ID cards should be sent to the UNG Card Services office. Contact Card Services to learn 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. Contact CGE for more information on upcoming events.