J-1 Visiting Scholars
Portland State University hosts international researchers, professors and special guests from around the world throughout the year. Visiting scholars may be graduate students or faculty conducting research, guest instructors and lecturers, specialists, dignitaries, and many others who come to the university to share their knowledge and expertise for mutual benefit. The J-1 scholar program is an important and integral part of PSU’s goals for global excellence.
International Student & Scholar Services
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) is here to support and promote international exchange at PSU. Our mission is to facilitate international exchange at PSU and to help you and your department achieve your academic, educational and community goals. We support host departments by facilitating immigration procedures and advising departments on exchange visitor policy. We also provide support services to all of our international scholars both before and after arrival in Portland.
The J-1 Program
The J Exchange Visitor Program was developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (the Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961. The overall purpose of the Act, and the objectives of the J Exchange Visitor Program is “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.”
Hosting Visiting Scholars
PSU academic departments are the primary sponsors for visiting scholars – scholars are issued visa documents at the invitation and request of the department.
When inviting a visiting scholar to the University, the host department and faculty take on certain responsibilities in support of the objectives and standards of the exchange program, and for the general welfare of the visiting scholar. The host department must also determine that the proposed exchange will be mutually beneficial to both the university and the individual scholar.
Scholar Request Forms and Information
NEW! Scholar request forms and information are now available to PSU faculty and staff on a new internal web site. You will find complete information about hosting visiting scholars as well as instructions and application forms to request a visiting scholar “Certificate of Eligibility” – form DS-2019. To access the site, contact ISSS at jscholar@pdx.edu or 503-725-8596 and request to be subscribed to the site. Please provide your name, campus email, department, and position or role in regards to hosting visiting scholars.