A Visiting Graduate Student at UCSD is a pre-doctoral graduate student registered at an educational institution outside of the University of California system pursuing research related to their degree program. Prior to the visitor's arrival, the appoinment must be approved by a faculty sponsor, the department chair or organized research unit (ORU) director, and the Dean of Graduate Studies.
There are two types of visiting graduate students depending on the funding situation. All visiting graduate students are required to have health insurance coverage that provides coverage 24 hours a day, including time spent at UCSD conducting research. Please see application procedures and health insurance information for each category below.
For international visitors, the sponsoring department or ORU will consult with the International Center to obtain the proper visa once the visiting graduate student appointment has been approved.
Non-Salaried Visiting Graduate Student (not receiving salary from UCSD during the visit)
Please send the following application materials to Yahira Cordero, Office of Graduate Studies, Mail Code 0003:
1) Prior to the visitor's arrival the sponsoring department will submit the Visiting Graduate Student Enrollment Form (Excel) (PDF version is an interactive document). A copy of the approved form will be returned to the sponsoring department.
For International Visitors: once the VGS Enrollment Form has been approved the sponsoring department or ORU will submit the appropriate visa paperwork to the International Center.
2) Once the visitor arrives, the sponsoring department will submit the following to Erin Gilbert, mail code 0003:
Upon arrival, an approved visiting graduate student may obtain a UCSD Campus ID Card. Information on how to obtain a UCSD Campus ID Card is available on the Blink website.
It is required that a visitor have health insurance coverage that provides coverage 24 hours a day, including time spent at UCSD conducting research. To meet this requirement, the visitor may enroll in the new Visiting Academic Benefit Plan offered through Garnett-Powers and Associates (Plan Description).
The visiting graduate student appointment must be approved by the Office of Graduate Studies prior to enrollment in the VABP. Enrollment must occur within the Period of Initial Eligibility which is 31 days from the appointment begin date.
To enroll in the VABP, visit the VABP website or call toll free 1-888-441-3719.
Worers Compensation coverage is not provided to a non-salaried visiting graduate student.
Salaried Visiting Graduate Student (Academic Miscellaneous, title code 3999)
A Salaried Visiting Graduate Student may be employed under the Academic Miscellaneous employment title if the research performed at UCSD will be part of the student’s written thesis or dissertation. Normally the appointment period will vary from a few months to up to one year, although it is possible to request use of the title for a second year.
Use of this title requires that the support level (monthly salary) be equivalent to that of a registered graduate student at UCSD in a specific graduate academic department (ex. Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Neurosciences). If the student is receiving payment from the home university, the UCSD support amount should be reduced accordingly.
For approval of a Salaried Visiting Graduate Student, please send the following application materials to Erin Gilbert, Office of Graduate Studies, Mail Code 0003:
1) Prior to the visitor's arrival, the faculty sponsor will submit a written request to Kim Barrett, Dean of Graduate Studies to request approval and use of the academic miscelleneous title code.
The letter must be endorsed by the Department Chair or Organized Research Unit Director and should include the following information:
- Student's name
- Begin and end dates of appointment at UCSD (request only one fiscal year at a time)
- Name of institution where registered
- Degree aim
- Type of research that will be performed
- How the research will be incorporated into the student's thesis or dissertation
- Fund source
- Comparable UCSD Department
- Home institution funds provided (if any)
- Monthly salary
- Department contact (name, ext., and mail code)
2) Include the following documentation with the letter:
- Academic Miscellaneous Biography Form (Word) (PDF version is an interactive document)
- Copy of current transcript showing registration at home institution
- Copy of health benefits coverage from home institution, if applicable
For International Visitors: once the salaried visiting graduate student appointment has been approved the sponsoring department or ORU will submit the appropriate visa paperwork to the International Center.
Upon arrival, an approved visiting graduate student may obtain a UCSD Campus ID Card. Information on how to obtain a UCSD Campus ID Card is available on the Blink website.
A salaried visiting graduate student is required to have health insurance coverage during their visit. To meet this requirement, the visitor may enroll in the Visiting Academic Benefit Plan offered through Garnett-Powers and Associates (Plan Description).
Prior to enrollment in the VABP, the salaried visiting graduate student appointment must be approved by the Office of Graduate Studies. Enrollment must occur within the Period of Initial Eligibility which is 31 days from the appointment begin date.
To enroll in the VABP, visit the VABP website or call toll free 1-888-441-3719
In some cases a salaried visiting graduate student employed on title code 3999 may be eligible for UCSD benefits based on their appointment percentage and duration. Please contact Erin Gilbert (egilbert@ucsd.edu), Offfice of Graduate Studies, to determine benefits eligibilty.
In addition, a salaried visiting graduate student is eligible for Workers’ Compensation at UCSD if injured in the course and scope of their employment.