Hosting International Visitors
NC State faculty and staff often host individual colleagues or international delegations for short-term campus visits to exchange ideas and explore potential collaborations. These resources can assist hosting departments in planning for international visitors.
For visits involving high-ranking university or government officials, please contact the Office of Global Engagement to inquire about courtesy meetings with campus leadership.
For information about J-1 visa processing for visiting scholars or researchers, please review the resources provided by the Office of International Services.
For Hosting NC State Departments:
- Identify a coordinator within your department to organize the visit. This individual will be responsible for creating the itinerary, scheduling meetings and managing other logistical needs.
- Determine what events and activities will be included (e.g., meetings, presentations, lectures, tours, meals, etc.). Consider the timing of the visit, the availability of colleagues and potential campus scheduling conflicts such as holidays, final exams, graduations, etc.
- Prepare formal invitation letters, if requested. Letters may be needed to assist visitors in obtaining U.S. visas and template is provided below. The departmental visit coordinator should be sure to include the full name of each visitor, the dates they will be on campus and the purpose(s) of the visit.
- Plan for specific visitor needs such as local transportation, dietary restrictions, disability accommodations or translation services.
- Prepare briefing notes for NC State colleagues who be a part of this visit. Be sure to include the purpose of the visit, key topics/programs the visitors hope to discuss, and brief biosketches of the visitors.
- Notify the Office of Global Engagement about the visit at ncstateglobal@ncsu.edu. Our office can inform you of other NC State connections with the institution/organization, highlight any collaborations that may develop from the visit and maintain accurate records of NC State international activities. The Office of Global Engagement also assists with requests for campus leadership meetings involving high-ranking university or government officials from abroad.
