Prior to Arrival at UCLA:

1. Contact the faculty member with whom you wish to conduct research. The faculty member must agree to sponsor your research.
    
2. An administrator from the faculty member's department will initiate the application. The administrator will need the following information to start the application:
    
   1. Your name
   2. Your email
   3. Research start and end dates
   4. Faculty sponsor
       
3. Once the department submits the information, both the faculty sponsor and the chair of the department need to approve your application. Then you will receive an email inviting you to apply online for a Visiting Graduate Researcher appointment.
    
4. Fill out the online form and upload two documents:
    
   1. Your curriculum vitae
       
   2. Proof of Registration as a graduate student at another university. The Proof of Registration (iPDF-90KB) is an official letter from your university that includes:
       
      1. Official university letterhead, seal or stamp, and signature
      2. Program of enrollment (degree objective such as Ph.D. or MA)
      3. Start dates of enrollment
      4. Expected graduation date
      5. Statement confirming that the graduate student is a currently enrolled student
      6. An accompanying certified English translation (as applicable)
          
5. Type in a a short statement about what you intend to research while at UCLA.
    
   Pay any fees the sponsoring department is not covering for you. You must pay the fees by credit card. There is no other way for the Graduate Division to process your fees. If you need to pay fees, you will receive an email similar to the one below.
    
   Dear VGR,
    
   Thank you for submitting your UCLA Visiting Graduate Researcher application.
    
   Please submit your payment by credit card at [link to site will appear here] at our Online VGR Payment page. Prior to submitting your payment, you will be presented a breakdown of current fees due. The fees are non-refundable. Cash, check, and money orders are not accepted.
    
   Sincerely,
   Academic Services, UCLA Graduate Division
   
   Once you submit payment, you will receive a receipt screen. You can print this sheet for future reference. The fees below are for a one year appointment.
   
   
    
   The department reviews your application before sending it to the Graduate Division for final approval. If you need to make any changes after you have submitted your VGR application, contact the sponsoring department.
    
   You will receive an email when you have been approved provisionally by the Graduate Division.
    

Before You Arrive at UCLA

International Visitors:

1. Work with your sponsoring department to obtain a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility Form. Use the DS-2019 to apply for the J-1 visa stamp at your nearest U.S. Embassy. See J-1 Visa non-degree student requirements for more information.
    
2. Purchase health insurance or apply for a waiver. Complete the UCLA Visiting Scholar Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan form or opt out of the plan.
    
   For complete information on health insurance procedures please visit the Visiting Graduate Researcher Health and Welfare Benefits page.
    
3. Mail the original, translated proof of registration that you uploaded to the online VGR application system to the following address:
    
   Academic Services
   Attn: VGR Registration
   UCLA Graduate Division
   1255 Murphy Hall
   Box 951428
   Los Angeles, CA 90095-1428

Domestic Visitors:

1. U.S. citizens or permanent residents who already have health insurance coverage will submit an insurance card or benefits summary to the Graduate Division at 1255 Murphy Hall upon arrival.
    
2. Mail the original copy of your graduate transcript that you uploaded to the online VGR application system to the address listed above.
    

When you arrive:

1. Pay any remaining fees. You will receive an email listing any remaining fees and a link to pay by credit card.
    
2. The Graduate Division will provide an electronic, final approval of the completed application to you and your department.
    
3. You will need a UCLA BruinCard for access to University privileges and facilities, please work with your sponsoring department to obtain a BruinCard. When your sponsoring department provides you with a copy of the BruinCard confirmation, you can visit the BruinCard Office located at 123 Kerckhoff Hall.
    

Need Help?

1. Your sponsoring department is the primary contact about your application.
    
2. Contact visitingscholars@grad.ucla.edu for assistance with the online application.