J-1 Scholars
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.