Throughout the U.S., an international scholar is usually considered to be an individual not enrolled in a formal degree program, who holds a temporary non-immigrant visa and who engages in scholarly activities including teaching, research and/or training at a university, research institute or hospital.

At Washington University in St. Louis, international scholars may be faculty members, research associates, postdoctoral research fellows, visiting scholars or physicians.

The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) provides services and programs for international scholars at WashU. On behalf of the University, OISS acts as liaison with U.S. government agencies concerning visa and immigration matters for all international scholars at WashU. After scholars’ arrival in the U.S., OISS international advisors assist scholars and their accompanying family members with settling in, employment permission, validating their arrival with immigration, maintaining their visa status and many other concerns.