Visiting Graduate Students and Visiting Graduate Student Scholars

• If you are a student currently enrolled in a university and you intend to visit Hopkins to take classes, you are classified as a Visiting Graduate Student by Johns Hopkins University.
• If you are a student currently enrolled in a university and you intend to visit Hopkins for the purpose of performing research only, you are classified as a Visiting Graduate Scholar by Johns Hopkins University.
• SPECIAL NOTE: You may see references to “Visiting Scholars” on the Office of International Services website. In most cases, the visiting scholars they are referring to are those who already have their doctorates and are requesting a visiting scientist or visiting professor appointment. This is not the same as the visiting graduate student or graduate student scholar classification. If you already have your doctorate, and wish to request a visiting scholar appointment with the department, please contact Sr. Administrative Coordinator.

Visit the JHU Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs website for the most up-to-date information.

• If you have questions about your dates of appointment, filling out forms, or general questions, please contact the Academic Program Administrator.
• If you experience difficulty with your application, uploading documents, or submitting your final application, please contact Graduate Student Admissions directly at [email protected]
• If you have questions about your visa, financial documentation required, etc., please contact our Office of International Services at [email protected].

1. Faculty Sponsor

You should have been in contact with a faculty sponsor here in the department. If one of our faculty has agreed to sponsor you, please work with that faculty member to agree on appropriate dates for your arrival and departure as well as the nature of the research you will conduct during your visit.

2. Preparation

Provide to the Academic Program Administrator the following information:

• Your CV
• Unofficial transcript from your current institution
• Dates of the appointment
• 3-4 sentences on the planned research at JHU (if coming for research only)

3. Sign Your Appointment Letter

You will receive the official appointment letter from the Department of Civil and Systems Engineering. Please read this carefully, sign and email it back.

4. Confirm your English proficiency

Send a TOEFL score to the Academic Program Administrator. If you are an international student, and do not have TOEFL scores, a video conference will need to be conducted to ask you a few questions. These questions are required by the U.S. Department of State to determine whether your English is sufficient for granting a J visa. Please schedule a meeting with your Faculty Sponsor to complete an English Proficiency Attestation Form.

 5. Submit an application.

• Click on apply online
• Create an account as a first-time user. Then you will be able to log in as a returning user.
• Select Visiting Graduate Scholar (if you plan to visit just for research) or Visiting Graduate Student (if you plan to take classes)
• Select Non-Degree
• Choose the Anticipated Start Term which coincides with your appointment dates
• Upload the signed appointment letter
• Upload a transcript from your current/home institution

WHILE COMPLETING YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION – If you experience difficulty with your application, uploading documents, or submitting your final application, please contact Graduate Student Admissions directly at [email protected]

6. Confirm your application status

After you have completed your application and submitted it, please email the Academic Program Administrator and let they know so the process of admitting you can be started. For international applicants, this means your application now goes to the Office of International Services where your DS-2019 will be processed.  Once your application transitions to the Office of International Services, you will be contacted to log in to iHopkins and provide additional information to begin the visa process.

 7. Register for class/-es

If you are a Visiting Graduate Scholar only for research purposes, you have to be enrolled to EN.990.880 Research practicum upon arrival. If you intend to take classes, you will need to consult with your Faculty Sponsor regarding what classes you should take. Visiting Students are not able to enroll online.

8. Obtain a visa

For additional information and instructions on the visa process, please visit the US Embassy website. Visa related questions might be directed to OIS at JHU – [email protected].

9. See a doctor

You are required to obtain preliminary paperwork to be enrolled in our health insurance plan upon arrival. See your appointment letter.

10. Explore housing options

And here is a link with a wealth of information to help you in your search for off-campus housing! http://www.jhu.edu/hds/offcampus/

For additional information and instructions on the visa process, please visit the US Embassy website. Visa related questions might be directed to OIS at JHU – [email protected].

Visiting students are responsible for securing their own housing while at Johns Hopkins. Our Off-Campus Housing website has a wealth of information to help you in your search for off-campus housing.

Once you have accepted our offer, the Office of International Services (OIS) will contact you to request information for the DS-2019. Visit the OIS website for more information on what happens after you accept our offer. Your DS-2019 should arrive approximately 6 weeks after you complete the SIF form. Visa status questions should be directed to OIS at or [email protected].

Once you have obtained your visa, be sure to communicate with the Academic Program Administrator and your faculty sponsor to update them on the date of your arrival at Johns Hopkins. We will provide you with additional instructions on steps that must be taken immediately upon arrival on campus. Visit OIS to learn more about validating your arrival in the U.S.

• You must complete the REQUIRED online Orientation and check-in eForm with OIS in iHopkins (ihopkins.jhu.edu) as soon as possible after arriving in the U.S. You will receive an email about the check in process a month prior to your JHU program start date and weekly thereafter until OIS approves your check-in eform. Make sure you keep the email and complete the check in process as soon as you arrive in the U.S
• You have to be registered for EN.990.890 (01) – Graduate Research Practicum. Please upload the invitation letter through the case management system (SEAM) – Records and Registration – Add/drop inquiry or change grading system – Request Support (blue button)
• Obtain your J-Card which serves as your ID, library card, and your key. If you have any issues with getting your card, please contact the office via email [email protected]. More information is here -https://studentaffairs.jhu.edu/jcard/
• Contact Student Accounts through SEAM – Records and Registration – Health insurance inquiry – Request Support (blue button) to be sure your health insurance is paid and there are no financial holds on your SIS account.
• Contact [email protected] if there are any questions about your plan. Additional resources on registration and coverage can also be found on the JHU benefits website.
• Check in with the Academic Program Administrator and Sr. Administrative Coordinator to get your office keys and J-Card clearance.
• Visit your faculty sponsor. It is recommended that you email ahead of time to set up an appointment.

You may notice “holds” on your SIS account. Some of these are significant and need to be resolved as soon as possible. Some just have to do with updating the system with your new address and/or phone number.

Important Holds That Will Affect Your Visa Status:

• Student Health & Wellness Center. You should have received information (in your appointment letter and again separately from the SHWC) regarding the Pre-Entrance Health Requirements. If you did not upload your forms or properly respond to email requests from the SHWC, they may place a hold on your SIS account which could impact your ability to register for the Graduate Research Practicum course. Please contact the Student Health & Wellness Center as soon as possible to resolve these issues.
• Course Registration. Upon arrival, you must register for the Graduate Research Practicum course. Please be sure to do this right away. If you do not, the Office of International Services will email you to inform you that you are not in compliance with the terms of your J-1 visa and Johns Hopkins policy.
• Health Insurance. There may be a hold on your account because you have not paid any or all of the health insurance premium.