Visiting Scholar Program Application Process

Visiting scholars may, without the payment of tuition or other fees, audit classes (with the exception of courses offered by Summer Session or U.C. Extension), participate in seminars with the consent of the instructors, confer with faculty members, and receive mail at the departmental address. Other privileges include use of campus libraries, computing services, fee parking permit, football ticket discounts, and recreational sports facilities discounts. Use of housing services is available for an additional fee. International visiting scholars may be eligible for lodging at the International House.

The Philosophy Department regrets that it is unable to offer Visiting Scholars office space, computer equipment, or teaching opportunities.

Please refer to the Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs Office (VSPA) for additional information.

Instructions for Applicants

The application deadlines to apply for the Visiting Scholar Program in the Philosophy Department are March 15 (for the following Fall semester) and July 15 (for the following Spring semester). Candidates are encouraged to contact their prospective faculty sponsor at Berkeley well in advance of the application deadlines, and to submit application materials at least 4-6 months in advance of the date they would like to start their visits to Berkeley.

Send items 1, 2 and 3 directly to your faculty sponsor as email attachments. Please also make sure that item 4, the Statement of Support from your faculty sponsor, is included with the application.

  1. Fill out the VSPA Application Form. Save this file to your desktop with a different name.

  2. Include a description of the research project and the name of the faculty sponsor.

  3. Attach a current curriculum vitae.

  4. Obtain a Statement of Support from your faculty sponsor.

Candidates should NOT send forms directly to the VSPA Website, as that will only delay the process.

Once the faculty sponsor has all of the application materials they will be forwarded to the Departmental Visiting Scholars Committee. If the application is approved by the department you will be contacted about arrival procedures, and if necessary, the visa procedures.

A University Services Fee of $750 for Visiting Scholars or $1,000 for Visiting Student Researchers must be paid before arrival (and is payable via credit card), as well as a $500 Departmental Administrative Fee. For further information about the University Services Fee schedule, please refer to the Fee Schedule.

If the application is approved, and you are a prospective international visiting scholar, you will be required to obtain a J-1 visa. A Visiting International Scholar DS-2019 Request Form will be provided, and a wire transfer to cover the visa processing fee as well as the Departmental Administrative Fee will be requested.

Please pay particular attention to the following when completing the application form:

Permanent Address: Give an address where correspondence may always reach you, before and after the duration of your proposed visit.

Visa Classification: The required visa classification for an appointment as a Visiting Scholar or as a Visiting Student Researcher is J-1.

Degree: Applicants with foreign degrees must give the name of the degree as it appears on their diploma. Do not translate the original name of the degree or the name of the institution conferring this degree, except to put the names into the English alphabet. If you are currently pursuing a degree or are a candidate for a degree, please so indicate and give the name of the degree and expected date of conferral. Approval of appointment will be contingent upon completion of the necessary requirements for your doctoral degree.

General: Send your completed electronic VSPA application directly to your faculty sponsor (without your signature) via e-mail as an attachment along with the required documents listed above. The Department will directly notify you regarding the approval or denial of your application. If your application is approved, it will be forwarded for visa processing, which can take 4-6 months.