Visiting Researcher Fees and Visas

Visiting researchers working with faculty in the College of Arts & Sciences and auditing classes within the college are not assessed fees. If a scholar has a faculty mentor in another school or college, or wishes to take courses in another school or college, fees will be assessed by the school or college wherein the mentor resides or wherein courses are taken.

Visiting researchers working with faculty at BU’s School of Law and/or informally auditing courses at the School of Law pay a fee of $5,000 for an academic year. In cases where the length of stay will be less than a full academic year, the fee is $2,500 per semester or any part thereof. BU Law does not waive this fee.

Most visitors are supported by funding sources in their home countries or through sabbatical leave salaries from their home institutions. No financial aid, stipends, or housing are available for visiting researchers. Given the general cost of living in the Boston area, prospective visitors should carefully plan their short-term housing and other living expenses. Please visit the website of International Students & Scholars Office for advice on finding an apartment or other housing in Boston. Some general information about Boston’s various neighborhoods can be found at Boston University’s Get to Know Your Neighborhood guide.

Individuals whom we invite to visit who are not US citizens or residents will be provided with information about visas and other important details. They will also be asked to supply financial documentation to support their visa applications. Such documents must be originals, in English, which certify financial ability in terms of US dollars. In most cases, visiting researchers from outside the US will fall under the J1 Scholar classification.

For more information pertaining to visas, including J1 financial requirements, please visit the website of our International Students & Scholars Office, where you will find a list of documentation needed for BU immigration sponsorship processing.