Visa Renewal

If the VGR’s visa is going to expire, work with your visa office to apply for an extension of stay. You need to submit the extension request thirty days before the visa expiration date.

Apply for a Reappointment Online

1. Submit an online Visiting Graduate Researcher reappointment request form. Indicate whether the sponsoring department or the applicant will pay the VGR fees.
    
2. The faculty sponsor and department chair/program director each receive an email asking them to approve the request online.
    
3. The applicant receives an email invitation to apply, then completes and submits the online VGR application. The applicant will need to upload scanned copies of Proof of Registration as a graduate student at another university. The Proof of Registration (iPDF-90KB) is an official letter from the 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)
       
4. If the applicant is paying for any fees, he or she will receive an email requesting credit card payment through the CASHNet system.
    
5. The department/institute administrator receives an email asking for review and approval of the application. If the department/institute has elected to pay the fees, they will be charged through recharge ID provided at the time of the initial VGR application.
    
6. If the applicant meets all eligibility requirements, the Graduate Division issues a notice of approval to the VGR, department/institute administrator, and the appropriate campus Visa office (for international VGRs).

Health Insurance

The VGR needs to renew their health insurance or reapply for a waiver to opt out of the plan by filling out the UCLA Visiting Scholar Injury and Sickness Insurance Plan form. VGRs may enroll in the UCLA Visiting Scholar Injury and Sickness Insurance plan 30 days prior to their appointment start date. They have 31 days from their appointment start date to complete enrollment or waive the program.

U.S. citizens or permanent residents who already have health insurance coverage should submit an insurance card or benefits summary to the Graduate Division at 1255 Murphy Hall.

For complete information on health insurance procedures please visit the Visiting Graduate Researcher Health and Welfare Benefits page.

Reappointment Fees

1. $250 for the first quarter and $100 per subsequent quarter for Graduate Division administrative expenses.
2. $340 Visa processing and administrative fee (for international visitors only)
3. $115 Instructional Technology (per quarter)
4. $35 Library (per quarter). Required to be paid by the VGR.

Renewing the BruinCard

Reapply for the BruinCard on or after the VGR’s start date. When applying for a BruinCard, select Forms and then Affiliate/Guest Request Form- Visiting Scholars/Visiting Graduate Researchers. Once the Graduate Division provides final approval of an application, a notice is sent to the BruinCard Center that the VGR is eligible for a BruinCard and UID. The BruinCard Office assigns an ID number, processes the request, and sends an approval email to the department and Graduate Division. Please wait until you have received approval from the BruinCard Center before sending a VGR to obtain his/her BruinCard. Once you have received final approval from the Graduate Division, all questions regarding the status of a VGR’s BruinCard should be directed to the BruinCard Center.

The $7 BruinCard fee is required to be paid by the department.

Need Help?

Administrators are welcome to contact visitingscholars@grad.ucla.edu with questions.