Plan Before Hiring or Hosting an International Faculty Member or Scholar
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) assists CSUSB departments, colleges, and administrative units with immigration-related processes for eligible international faculty members, researchers, and visiting scholars.
Contact ISSS early when considering an international candidate or visitor. The appropriate process depends on whether CSUSB will employ the individual, host the individual for a temporary educational or cultural exchange, or support another type of academic activity.
Immigration review may affect the available classification, required documentation, anticipated timeline, worksite, program dates, funding requirements, and when employment or activities may begin.
Before Making an Offer or Invitation
Departments should not assume that an international candidate or visitor can begin employment or program activities by a particular date until ISSS has reviewed the proposed arrangement.
Before finalizing an offer, invitation, or start date, consider:
- The individual’s current immigration status;
- Whether the individual is inside or outside the United States;
- Whether the request may involve a new petition, change of status, extension, transfer, or amended authorization;
- The proposed position, appointment, or exchange activity;
- The proposed start and end dates;
- Salary, funding, and full-time equivalency, when applicable;
- The primary worksite or site of activity;
- Any expected remote or hybrid arrangement;
- Whether the required position and funding approvals have been completed;
- Whether the department can support applicable immigration fees;
- Whether the individual has anticipated international travel;
- Whether accompanying dependents require immigration documents; and
- Government and university processing timelines.
ISSS will use this information to determine the appropriate next step and identify the department, employee, or visitor documentation needed for a complete request.
Choose the Appropriate Path
Information Needed for an Initial Review
Providing complete information early helps ISSS identify the appropriate process, anticipated timeline, and documentation requirements. The initial review does not replace the formal sponsorship or hosting request.
When available, provide:
- The individual’s full name and contact information;
- A current curriculum vitae or résumé;
- The individual’s current immigration classification and expiration date, if applicable;
- Whether the individual is currently inside or outside the United States;
- The proposed position, appointment, or exchange activity;
- A description of the proposed duties, teaching, research, or other activities;
- The sponsoring department, college, and primary university contact;
- The proposed start and end dates;
- Salary, stipend, funding source, or other financial support;
- Full-time equivalency or anticipated schedule, when applicable;
- The primary worksite or site of activity;
- Any proposed remote, hybrid, or off-campus activity;
- The minimum degree, experience, and other position requirements, when applicable;
- Any anticipated international travel;
- Information about accompanying dependents, when applicable; and
- Any university approvals or appointment documents already completed.
ISSS may request additional information after reviewing the proposed arrangement. Departments should notify ISSS if any information changes while the review or immigration process is underway.
Department and College Responsibilities
Provide Accurate and Timely Information
Departments may be responsible for providing:
- Approved appointment or invitation documentation;
- Position title and detailed duties;
- Salary, stipend, full-time equivalency, and appointment dates;
- Funding and benefit information;
- Primary worksite or site of activity;
- Proposed remote, hybrid, or off-campus arrangements;
- Minimum education, experience, and skill requirements;
- Job posting or recruitment documentation, when applicable;
- Required departmental, college, or university approvals;
- Authorized university signatures;
- Information about anticipated international travel; and
- Funding for applicable immigration fees.
The specific requirements depend on the proposed classification and activity. ISSS will identify what is needed after completing the initial review.
Contact ISSS Again When Circumstances Change
Notify ISSS before changing:
- Job title, duties, or exchange activities;
- Salary, stipend, or funding;
- Full-time equivalency or scheduled hours;
- Department, college, or reporting unit;
- Appointment or program dates;
- Primary worksite or site of activity;
- Remote or hybrid arrangements; or
- Any other information used during the immigration review.
Departments should also contact ISSS when:
- An employee or scholar may leave CSUSB earlier than anticipated;
- Employment or an appointment may be terminated;
- International travel is planned while a petition or immigration request is pending;
- A faculty member is considering permanent residency or working with immigration counsel; or
- The individual may begin an additional activity, appointment, or employment arrangement.
No employment or program activity should begin before the required authorization is in place.
Permanent Residency Planning
Faculty members may consult qualified immigration counsel regarding employment-based permanent-residency options. Departments should not promise permanent-residency sponsorship, institutional documentation, university signatures, or a particular immigration strategy.
Contact ISSS when:
- A faculty member requests university sponsorship or support;
- An attorney seeks information or documentation from a CSUSB department;
- Recruitment, appointment, or employment records are requested;
- A university support letter is proposed;
- An employer form or institutional signature is needed; or
- A proposed filing may rely on representations about CSUSB employment.
ISSS coordinates institutional review and serves as the university liaison for matters requiring CSUSB participation. An outside attorney may not represent or bind CSUSB without university authorization.
Start the Immigration Review Process
Start With ISSS
Contact ISSS before submitting a formal department request if you are uncertain which process applies.
Be prepared to provide:
- The individual’s name and contact information;
- The proposed position, appointment, or activity;
- The sponsoring department and university contact;
- Proposed start and end dates; and
- A brief explanation of the requested immigration support.
ISSS will identify the appropriate next step and advise the department when to submit the formal request through the Coyote International Portal.