Visiting Student Researchers

Visiting Student Researcher Appointments

Who is Eligible for a Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) Appointment?

A Visiting Student Researcher (VSR) is a student who is currently enrolled in a degree-granting program at an institution outside of the University of California (UC) system.

To be eligible, you must meet the following criteria:

Degree Status: You must hold at least a bachelor’s degree and be actively pursuing a graduate degree at your home university.
Location: All research must be conducted in person on the UC Berkeley campus. Remote appointments are not permitted.
Duration: Appointments must be a minimum of 30 days and a maximum of one year.
No Course Credit: VSRs do not enroll in UC Berkeley courses for credit. VSRs are on campus to conduct research.
Because UC Berkeley does not issue a transcript, credits, or a course grade for a VSR appointment, home institutions cannot systematically award academic credit for the visit. If a home institution requires a credit-bearing mechanism or a transcript to validate an external stay, the student must instead enroll as an international student through the Berkeley International Study Program (BISP) or UC Berkeley Extension, rather than holding a VSR research title.

UC System Restriction: Students currently enrolled at any University of California campus (e.g., UCLA, UCSF) are ineligible for this title due to existing UC reciprocity agreements. Additionally, VSRs cannot hold concurrent employment or paid appointments (such as a Graduate Student Researcher title) at any UC campus during their visit.

International Visiting Student Researchers

Foreign visiting student researchers typically come to UC Berkeley on a J-1 or F-1 visa.

B-1/B-2 Visas & Waivers: Tourist visas and visa waivers are strictly not permitted for this research title.
External F-1 Students: If you are on an F-1 visa from another U.S. institution, you must submit an official letter from that school authorizing your visit to Berkeley, specifying your exact appointment dates, and providing copies of your valid immigration documents.
Click here for detailed information on permitted external visa types and document requirements.

1. English Language Proficiency Requirement

Per U.S. Department of State regulations, all exchange visitors must possess sufficient English proficiency, verified by an objective measurement, to successfully participate in their program and navigate day-to-day life [22 CFR 62.10(a)(2)]. Please visit the Berkeley International Office (BIO) website to learn how to satisfy this requirement.

2. Visa Fees (Berkeley International Office)

All international scholars requiring visa sponsorship are subject to mandatory visa processing fees assessed by the Berkeley International Office (BIO). These fees cover document generation, federal compliance tracking, and visa maintenance support.

Sponsoring departments frequently cover these costs, but responsibility varies by department. Please check with your host department coordinator early in the process to determine your payment structure. For current rates, view the BIO Recharge Fees page.

Are Visiting Student Researchers Compensated?

No. Visiting Student Researchers are ineligible to receive a salary or wages from UC Berkeley. VSRs must be self-supported or funded by external sources for the duration of their stay.

However, there are a few exceptions for financial support:

Living Allowance: Your host department or faculty sponsor may choose to provide a living allowance of up to $40,000 per year to help offset the cost of living in the San Francisco Bay Area. This is entirely at the discretion of the faculty sponsor.
Reimbursements: Departments may reimburse UC Berkeley business-related travel and incidental research expenses, provided they align with university policy.

How to Apply for a VSR Appointment

Appointments are driven by faculty placement. Please follow these steps to find an appointment:

Contact a Faculty Sponsor: Reach out directly to a UC Berkeley academic department or a faculty member whose research aligns with your goals to see if they are accepting visiting researchers.
Review Fees: If a faculty member agrees to sponsor you, you will need to coordinate the payment of the mandatory VSPA University Services Fee (USF). Host departments may choose to pay this on your behalf, or you may be required to pay it directly.
Check Departmental Fees: Some host departments charge an additional, internal administrative fee. Please check your specific host department's website for their fee structure.