Institute of East Asian Studies

Please note: Due to COVID-19, many Visiting Scholar Application and Onboarding procedures have changed to remote processes. These processes are subject to change.

1) Prior to the start of your program, you will receive two emails from the SHARE Onboarding Team:

1. From share_hiring@berkeley.edu with an access code for the DocuSign (forms that will ask personal information such as address, phone number, emergency contact, etc.) and instructions on completing the DocuSign.
2. From dse_NA3@docusign.net (this is the DocuSign).

Please complete the DocuSign packet and submit it. You will also need to sign the Patent Acknowledgement Form(PDF file), which is required by the University of California.

2) After your DocuSign has been submitted and approved, you will receive  a Welcome Email from share_payroll@berkeley.edu in about one week (estimated), which will include your Affiliate ID. With your Affiliate ID, you will be able to create your CalNet and Berkeley Email accounts. 

3) Within 9 days of your start date, you must self-report your arrival via the J Scholar Portal. You will need to submit a copy of your 1-94 record. 

You will also need to watch the Scholar Information Meeting (SIM) video. You can watch online. 

If you will not arrive within 9 days of the start of your program, please email CJS (cjs@berkeley.edu) and J-Scholar (jscholar@berkeley.edu). If necessary, your start date may be ammended and a new DS-2019 will be issued. This will incur a $100 deferral fee to be paid by the scholar.

4) Ensure you are in compliance with UC Berkeley's COVID-19 guidelines. If you wish to access the campus in person, you are required to:

1.  Comply with current face-covering requirements

2.  Comply with University of California COVID-19 Vaccine Policy

3.  Get tested in accordance with campus surveillance testing requirements

4.  Complete required COVID Prevention Training (EHS 207)

These requirements are subject to change. For the latest information, please go to the Campus Access webpage. To see how UC Berkeley is responding to COVID-19, please go to the UC Berkeley Coronavirus (COVID-19) Resources and Updates page. 

5) Go to the Cal 1 Card website, and scroll down to the "Log into your Cal 1 Card Account" link with your CalNet ID. You will need to upload a compliant photo (instructions will be given). Then you can make an appointment to pick up your Cal 1 Card at their office. Please bring your passport with you. 

6) Please prepare a United States postal money order or check drawn on a U.S. bank — made payable to "U.C. Regents" — for the following fees* (these can be sent by mail to the CJS office):

*Please note: As of December 31, 2019,  Japan Post Bank (Yu-cho Bank – ＪＰゆうちょ銀行) will no longer issue International Postal Money Orders to addresses in the United States. For more information, please click here: https://www.jp-bank.japanpost.jp/news/2019/news_id001426.html

7) With your CalNet ID, you will be able to connect to Eduroam, a secure wi-fi network. If you already use Eduroam at your home campus, you will not need to create a separate account. For information on how to connect, please go to the Wi-Fi Services website. Please note that CalVisitor is a free, unsecured network available on campus as well. 

8) You have 30 days from the start of your appointment to enroll in a health insurance plan. IF you would like to purchase your own health insurance (not Garnett-Powers), it must be approved to check it meets the minimum standards. Please go to this website to follow directions on how to waive the Garnett-Powers plan with your own insurance.

9) (optional) The Visiting Researcher Scholar and Postdoc Affairs (VSPA) Program holds an information meeting targeted to new postdocs and visiting scholars on the first Thursday of every month at the International House.  Please register for the VSPA orientation online. This orientation is not required, but does have some useful information.