Faculty / Researcher Services
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Research Appointments & Visa Information
Information for Faculty and Staff

The Customer Service Center is dedicated to providing focused expertise on Northwestern University’s appointment and visa process.

We collaborate with the International Office, Risk Management, Graduate Studies & Research and the Office for Research when processing your appointment and/or visa request. The information we request from you is required by these different offices for approval of the appointment and/or visa.

Contact us for

  • Postdoc, research visitor, research staff and research faculty appointments
  • Questions about any staff member or visitor who will require a visa
  • Reappointments, promotions and salary changes, date and title changes

Initiate an Appointment and/or Visa

  1. Fill out the Appointment & Visa Request Form (AVR) and email the Customer Service Center. The McCormick Customer Service Center (CSC) will help you identify the appropriate appointment type.

    - For appointments as Visiting Pre-Doctoral Fellow, Visiting Post-Doctoral Fellow, and Visiting Scholar, please fill out the Research Visitor Vetting Checklist and include it with the Appointment & Visa Request Form.
    - If you are bringing a staff member on an H-1B visa, please contact our office for an H-1B Request Form instead of the AVR.

  2. The CSC will reply to your request within 3-5 business days and will contact your incoming researcher to start the appointment process.
  3. Upon receipt of all necessary documents from the PI and incoming researcher, applicable paperwork will be routed to you and the department chair via DocuSign for approval.
  4. After the paperwork is signed, the CSC will complete the final appointment steps including:
    - Obtaining necessary appointment approvals and an official Offer Letter
    - Submitting visa request paperwork to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (if applicable)

View a detailed breakdown of visa categories

Policies and Guidelines by Appointment Type