¹ÏÉñÍø hosts many international visitors each year as researchers and faculty via this program, which is overseen by the . The visa document request form to the right, issued by our office, is used to provide the information needed for their stay.
Below are outlines of requirements to qualify for a visiting scholar category at the University. In all cases, the international visitor must have a faculty sponsor who is willing to take responsibility for hosting the visit.
Individuals who join the University in J-1 status are not eligible for degree study at ¹ÏÉñÍø. Students who wish to earn an ¹ÏÉñÍø degree must apply as regular students and be accepted through the normal admissions process. They must also contact VISA to change their visa to a degree-seeking student status.
Eligibility
The following categories of individuals may be authorized for DS-2019 forms as visiting faculty:
- Professors who are teaching at ¹ÏÉñÍø in a visiting, non-tenure track position. No faculty member who is provided a tenure track appointment can be issued a DS-2019.
- Researchers who hold faculty appointments or comparable professional positions at an overseas institution.
- Graduate students who are completing a degree and who wish to come to ¹ÏÉñÍø to conduct research under the guidance of a sponsoring ¹ÏÉñÍø professor must be provided a DS-2019 as a researcher.
- Scholars who are coming to ¹ÏÉñÍø for consultation, observation, or similar level professional activities. These activities must involve a specific objective and provide for the professional development and growth of the scholar, his/her institution, and/or ¹ÏÉñÍø.
Steps for Inviting a J-1 Exchange Scholar
- The host faculty should reach out to the visa office to request and exchange visitor packet and export control forms.
- After confirming the decision, the inviting faculty completes the Exchange Visitor Packet with all departmental signatures.
- The inviting faculty submits the completed packet to the Office of Research for the review of and signatures on the completed Exchange Visitor Packet, the Volunteer/Visiting Scholar Agreement form, Export Control Checklist, and the Deemed Export Acknowledgement.
- A fully signed Exchange Visitor Packet and all required documents (listed on the packet) should be submitted to the VISA Office for review at The following link:Â
- VISA requests an interview for English Proficiency Interview (if needed).
- VISA request UIN and creates DS-2019.
- Exchange scholar applies for J-1 visa at a US embassy AFTER receiving SEVIS Number included in email and on DS-2019. (exception:Canadian citizens)
Sponsoring Faculty & Department Responsibilities
- Ensure that the sponsoring faculty member will not be on sabbatical or other leave during the stay of the visiting faculty member; if he or she is taking leave, an alternate sponsor who will be available to meet the visiting faculty's needs must be specified in writing to the VISA office.
- Provide appropriate office and laboratory space as needed by the visiting faculty member to meet the goals of his/her visit.
- Assist the visiting scholar and his/her family with locating an appropriate place to live and related needs.
- Insure that the visiting faculty member visits VISA upon arrival at the university for orientation required by federal regulations and completes any processes required by the university.
- Insure that any difficulties which arise during the visiting faculty member's stay at ¹ÏÉñÍø are brought to the attention of VISA.
- Request extensions of exchange visitors in a timely manner.
- Inform VISA when exchange visitor completes program and exits US.
English Proficiency Requirement
Requests for J-1 visa Exchange Visitors (EVs) coming as scholars/student interns will be asked to submit evidence of English proficiency along with the DS-2019 request to VISA. In order to show proficiency in "day-to-day" conversation outside of the direct activity of the exchange, EVs can meet the requirement through one of the following:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT): 500
- Internet-based TOEFL (iBT): 61
- IELTS: 5.5
- PTE: 44
- CAE: Grade C
- CPE: C1
- Submitting a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree equivalent from an accredited institution in a country where English is the native language (See list )
- Evidence of citizenship of a country whose official language is English (See list ) If the exchange visitor does not have one of the test scored listed above, you may submit the DS-2019 Request Application without the English Proficiency Requirement. VISA will schedule an interview for the scholar to assess English Proficiency. The interview fee is $50.
Please note that these requirements are subject to change by VISA.
Applying for a J-1 Visa
J-1 exchange visitor must apply for J-1 visa stamp once they receive their DS-2019 form. The visa is the entry permit placed inside your passport by a U.S. consulate. It is used only to enter the United States and therefore does not need to be renewed while you remain in this country. To apply for a J-1 visa:
- Complete Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Ìý-Ìý about completing ³Ù³ó±ðÌý. You must: 1) complete the online visa application, and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Photo -You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in ³Ù³ó±ðÌý.
- Schedule an Interview - You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at ³Ù³ó±ðÌý in the country where you live. Click  for Appointment Wait times.
If it expires and you go outside the United States, you will need to obtain another visa--this can be done only outside of this country. If this is the case, you will need a new DS-2019, transcripts, and proof of financial support.
Health Insurance Requirement
Exchange visitors are required to have health insurance in effect for themselves and any accompanying dependents on J-2 visas; there are very specific requirements that must be met to avoid a visa status violation.
- Medical benefits of at least $ 100.000 per accident or illness; and
- Medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000; and
- Co-insurance of at least 75% of covered medical expense; and
- Repatriation coverage up to $25,000; and
- Deductible of no more than $500 per illness or accident.
The insurance must be maintained for the duration of the exchange visitor program.
Extension of DS-2019
If the completion of the program objective is going to require a longer time than what was originally on the DS-2019, the sponsoring department and scholar will need to request a new DS-2019 with an extended completion date. This request should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the expiration date on the DS-2019.
To request an extension of stay, the scholar should submit:
- ³Ù³ó±ðÌýÌý´Ú´Ç°ù³¾;
- a letter stating that they will continue to sponsor the scholar and state the new end date requested;
- new financial documentation;
- and proof of insurance for the extension period.
Employment
Employment of any type for J-1 (Exchange Visitor) scholar is allowed only under the specific terms which are stated on the DS-2019. Generally, this means that scholars admitted on ¹ÏÉñÍø's exchange visitor program may work only for ¹ÏÉñÍø or the ¹ÏÉñÍø Research Foundation. Scholars may maintain their program of teaching, research or observation as outlined on their DS-2019. A scholar may not undertake any other type of outside employment unless it is given specific authorization by the Responsible Officer of the institution or agency that has signed the DS-2019.
Eligibility
The following categories of individuals may be authorized for DS-2019 forms as visiting faculty:
- Professors who are teaching at ¹ÏÉñÍø in a visiting, non-tenure track position. No faculty member who is provided a tenure track appointment can be issued a DS-2019.
- Researchers who hold faculty appointments or comparable professional positions at an overseas institution.
- Graduate students who are completing a degree and who wish to come to ¹ÏÉñÍø to conduct research under the guidance of a sponsoring ¹ÏÉñÍø professor must be provided a DS-2019 as a researcher.
- Scholars who are coming to ¹ÏÉñÍø for consultation, observation, or similar level professional activities. These activities must involve a specific objective and provide for the professional development and growth of the scholar, his/her institution, and/or ¹ÏÉñÍø.
Steps for Inviting a J-1 Exchange Scholar
- The host faculty should reach out to the visa office to request and exchange visitor packet and export control forms.
- After confirming the decision, the inviting faculty completes the Exchange Visitor Packet with all departmental signatures.
- The inviting faculty submits the completed packet to the Office of Research for the review of and signatures on the completed Exchange Visitor Packet, the Volunteer/Visiting Scholar Agreement form, Export Control Checklist, and the Deemed Export Acknowledgement.
- A fully signed Exchange Visitor Packet and all required documents (listed on the packet) should be submitted to the VISA Office for review at The following link:Â
- VISA requests an interview for English Proficiency Interview (if needed).
- VISA request UIN and creates DS-2019.
- Exchange scholar applies for J-1 visa at a US embassy AFTER receiving SEVIS Number included in email and on DS-2019. (exception:Canadian citizens)
Sponsoring Faculty & Department Responsibilities
- Ensure that the sponsoring faculty member will not be on sabbatical or other leave during the stay of the visiting faculty member; if he or she is taking leave, an alternate sponsor who will be available to meet the visiting faculty's needs must be specified in writing to the VISA office.
- Provide appropriate office and laboratory space as needed by the visiting faculty member to meet the goals of his/her visit.
- Assist the visiting scholar and his/her family with locating an appropriate place to live and related needs.
- Insure that the visiting faculty member visits VISA upon arrival at the university for orientation required by federal regulations and completes any processes required by the university.
- Insure that any difficulties which arise during the visiting faculty member's stay at ¹ÏÉñÍø are brought to the attention of VISA.
- Request extensions of exchange visitors in a timely manner.
- Inform VISA when exchange visitor completes program and exits US.
English Proficiency Requirement
Requests for J-1 visa Exchange Visitors (EVs) coming as scholars/student interns will be asked to submit evidence of English proficiency along with the DS-2019 request to VISA. In order to show proficiency in "day-to-day" conversation outside of the direct activity of the exchange, EVs can meet the requirement through one of the following:
- Paper-based TOEFL (PBT): 500
- Internet-based TOEFL (iBT): 61
- IELTS: 5.5
- PTE: 44
- CAE: Grade C
- CPE: C1
- Submitting a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree equivalent from an accredited institution in a country where English is the native language (See list )
- Evidence of citizenship of a country whose official language is English (See list ) If the exchange visitor does not have one of the test scored listed above, you may submit the DS-2019 Request Application without the English Proficiency Requirement. VISA will schedule an interview for the scholar to assess English Proficiency. The interview fee is $50.
Please note that these requirements are subject to change by VISA.
Applying for a J-1 Visa
J-1 exchange visitor must apply for J-1 visa stamp once they receive their DS-2019 form. The visa is the entry permit placed inside your passport by a U.S. consulate. It is used only to enter the United States and therefore does not need to be renewed while you remain in this country. To apply for a J-1 visa:
- Complete Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Ìý-Ìý about completing ³Ù³ó±ðÌý. You must: 1) complete the online visa application, and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Photo -You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in ³Ù³ó±ðÌý.
- Schedule an Interview - You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at ³Ù³ó±ðÌý in the country where you live. Click  for Appointment Wait times.
If it expires and you go outside the United States, you will need to obtain another visa--this can be done only outside of this country. If this is the case, you will need a new DS-2019, transcripts, and proof of financial support.
Health Insurance Requirement
Exchange visitors are required to have health insurance in effect for themselves and any accompanying dependents on J-2 visas; there are very specific requirements that must be met to avoid a visa status violation.
- Medical benefits of at least $ 100.000 per accident or illness; and
- Medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000; and
- Co-insurance of at least 75% of covered medical expense; and
- Repatriation coverage up to $25,000; and
- Deductible of no more than $500 per illness or accident.
The insurance must be maintained for the duration of the exchange visitor program.
Extension of DS-2019
If the completion of the program objective is going to require a longer time than what was originally on the DS-2019, the sponsoring department and scholar will need to request a new DS-2019 with an extended completion date. This request should be submitted at least 60 days prior to the expiration date on the DS-2019.
To request an extension of stay, the scholar should submit:
- ³Ù³ó±ðÌýÌý´Ú´Ç°ù³¾;
- a letter stating that they will continue to sponsor the scholar and state the new end date requested;
- new financial documentation;
- and proof of insurance for the extension period.
Employment
Employment of any type for J-1 (Exchange Visitor) scholar is allowed only under the specific terms which are stated on the DS-2019. Generally, this means that scholars admitted on ¹ÏÉñÍø's exchange visitor program may work only for ¹ÏÉñÍø or the ¹ÏÉñÍø Research Foundation. Scholars may maintain their program of teaching, research or observation as outlined on their DS-2019. A scholar may not undertake any other type of outside employment unless it is given specific authorization by the Responsible Officer of the institution or agency that has signed the DS-2019.