J-1 Scholars
Updated Exchange Visitor Skills List Released
The U.S. Department of State released an (effective 12/9/2024).
- If you are a J-1 exchange visitor and your country has been removed from the Skills List, you will no longer be subject to the 212(e) requirement based on the Skills List but can still be subject based on government funding or graduate medical education/training.
Exchange Visitor Program Overview
The primary purpose of the is to foster international exchange, understanding, and collaboration. The J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa and as such it is expected that exchange visitors will return to their home country upon completion of their exchange visitor program.
J-1 regulations require exchange visitors to:
- Demonstrate English proficiency sufficient to function independently both on and off campus.
- Maintain comprehensive medical insurance with evacuation and repatriation coverage for themselves and accompanying J-2 dependents that meets beginning on the start date of the exchange visitor program continuing to the end of the exchange visitor program.
Exchange Visitor Scholar J-1 Visa Categories
| Category | Minimum Participation | Maximum Participation | Acceptable Activities | Special Requirements / Restrictions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| / | 3 weeks | 5 years | Teaching, lecturing, observing, consulting and conducting research | Bachelor's degree required. No tenure track positions. |
| 1 day | 6 months | Lecturing, observing, consulting, training, demonstrating special skills. | Bachelor's degree expected. | |
| 3 weeks | 1 year | Observing, consulting, demonstrating special knowledge or skills. Sharing expertise. | Cannot be filling a permanent or long-term position. | |
| 3 weeks | 1 year | Full-fill educational objectives for degree program in home country. . | Internship position. Good academic standing. Must return home to finish degree. |
Regulatory Bars and Requirements
12 and 24-Month Bars on Repeat Participation
Previous time spent in the U.S. in certain J-1 or J-2 visa categories affects when a prospective scholar is eligible for a new Exchange Visitor Research Scholar/Professor program.
Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
Some (and their dependents in J-2 status) are subject (based on their specialized knowledge and/or source of funding) to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement following their exchange visitor program.
Exchange Visitor Program Resources
Requesting a Travel Signature
Designated sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program may now digitally sign and electronically transmit the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant) (Form DS-2019).
To request a travel signature, complete the DS-2019 Reprint Request e-form (available in the J-1 Scholar Services section of the MyISSS portal). A new DS-2019 with a travel signature will be issued and emailed to you.