The many exceptional experts who visit Sydney Law School create valuable opportunities for the exchange of ideas and research, and facilitate ongoing national and international research links and collaborations.
Visitors contribute to Sydney Law School by:
Sydney Law School's self-funded visitors program is open to international and domestic scholars of high standing at any stage in their careers. The scheme is competitive and not all applications will be approved.
Applications may be submitted at any time of the year, however it's important to factor in visa processing times when planning the dates for your proposed visit.
International visitors who require a 408 Research Activities visa are advised to submit their visitor application to the Law School at least 8 months before their intended visit.
Visiting Scholars are encouraged to visit during the Australian academic year (March - November 2026) to ensure there are greater opportunities to engage with Sydney Law School staff and students.
Visits outside of this period will be considered as exceptional, and must be justified based on the applicant's proposed activities and the availability of the applicant's academic host.
We are unable to host visitors during the University of Sydney's seasonal break which generally occurs during the last two weeks of December and the first two weeks of January.
It's important to factor in visa processing times when planning the dates for your proposed visit. International visitors who require a 408 Research Activities visa are advised to submit their visitor application to the Law School at least 8 months before their intended visit.
The duration of a visit will depend on the visitor's research priorities, funding sources, and the availability of their Sydney Law School academic host.
Visiting Scholars may typically request visits of up to 3 months. Longer visits up to 6 months may be considered in exceptional cases.
Academics who wish to visit the Law School for a few days to participate in meetings and workshops are not required to apply as part of the visitors program.
Before submitting your application you will need to secure the support of a Sydney Law School academic staff member who is willing to host your proposed visit. We recommend that you search for academic staff with similar or complementary research interests. Emeritus Professors or adjunct staff cannot be listed as the primary academic host in your application.
When contacting a potential academic host, please provide:
Sydney Law School staff receive a large number of enquiries from potential visiting scholars, and may not be able to accommodate every request to act as an academic host.
If you secure the support of an academic host, you will be required to develop a brief proposal (1-2 pages) that outlines the purpose of your proposed visit.
The proposal should include:
The proposal document should be reviewed and approved by your academic host before you submit your application.
Your academic host must provide a letter or email which confirms:
You must include the host's letter or email with your application.
Complete the application form.
Your application will be reviewed by the Law School's Research Committee at their next monthly meeting. You will then be advised on the outcome of your application.
Visitors may be provided with:
Note: Assistance is not provided in arranging living accommodation.
Visitors are responsible for ensuring they hold a valid visa for entry into Australia that will allow them to engage in all the activities they wish to undertake during their stay.
The University’s Immigration and Global Mobility (I&GM) team advises that tourist and visitor visas (e.g. 600, 601, and 651) aren't suitable for visitors who plan to undertake research and/or require access to university resources during their visit. If your application is approved, Sydney Law School will liaise with the I&GM team to determine the most suitable visa based on the nature and duration of your visit. Research visitors typically require a 408 Temporary Activity - Research Activities visa or 400 Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) visa.
If you intend to visit any other universities in Australia, these institutions must be listed in your visa application. The I&GM team will provide international visitors with an invitation letter and instructions on how to lodge their visa application.
As some visas can take up to several months to be approved, it is important for applicants to consider visa processing times when planning the dates for their proposed visit. International visitors who require a 408 Research Activities visa are advised to submit their visitor application at least 8 months before their intended visit.
