Information for Visiting Scholars
The Center for International Programs (CIP) hosts scholars on a J-1 visa from around the world. The is for individuals approved to participate in scholarly work and study-based exchange visitor programs.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is a Federal program administered by the U.S. Department of State which implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. This Act promotes mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. The Exchange Visitor Program provides eligible foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States and then return home to share their experiences.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program allows program sponsors to host international visitors in a number of categories. 91社区 has been approved to sponsor the following categories: Professor, Research Scholar and short-term Scholar, Student (Degree and Nondegree), Student Intern. The descriptions for the categories are summarized below. The CIP manages the license to host J-1 Exchange Visitors and issues the visa certificates (Form DS-2019) with which applicants can obtain their J-1 visa in their home country.
The program鈥檚 focus, length, and primary activities determine which category we select when issuing the visa documents. Please note the restrictions below for J-1 program professors or research scholars. Colleagues should be made aware of the potential 12 month or 24 month restrictions on returning to the US to pursue a new J-1 program after completion of a previous J-1 program.
If invited as a scholar to 91社区 or as a scholar you decided that 91社区 is a good match for you, please review the following requirements (see below).
Category descriptions and eligibility requirements for Professor, Research Scholar and Short-term Scholar:
Professor
The professor category is for a foreign national who enters the United State for the primary purpose of teaching, lecturing, observing or consulting at accredited post-secondary academic institutions, museums, libraries or similar types of institutions. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the sponsoring organization.
Professor must:
Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;
Not have participated in and completed a professor program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program;
Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a professor program unless he or she meet one of the following exceptions:
The participant is currently in a professor program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue his or her current J-1 program;
The participant鈥檚 prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and
The prior participation was as a听J-1 short-term scholar.
Research Scholar
This category is for a foreign national who enters the United States for the primary purpose of conducting research, observing or consulting in connection with research projects at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or similar types of institutions. A research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor.
The research scholar鈥檚 appointment to a position shall be temporary, even if the position itself is permanent. Incidental lectures or short-term consultations are permitted with the approval of the responsible officer so long as they are directly related to the objectives of the participant鈥檚 program, and do not delay the exchange program鈥檚 completion date.
Research Scholar must:
Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;
Not have participated in and completed a research scholar program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program鈥檚 commencement;
Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a research scholar program unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
The participant is currently in a research scholar program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue their current J-1 program;
The participant鈥檚 prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and
Any prior participation was as a听J-1 short-term scholar.
Short-term Scholar
Professors, research scholars and other individuals with similar education or accomplishments travel to the United States on a short-term visit for to lecture, observe, consult, train or demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions or similar types of institutions
Short-Term Scholars must:
- Be a professor or research scholar or someone with similar education and or experience.
- The maximum duration of stay is six months;
- No program extension or change of category will be considered;
Do not begin the form until you have determined the exact dates of your intended visit.
After you have the letter of invitation from the 91社区 department, we will initiate your . Once that section is completed, the Center for International Programs (CIP) will issue the . The form allows you to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain a J visa to enter the United States. The CIP will send the DS-2019, along with a copy of your official acceptance letter from a 91社区 department.
Save the acceptance letter that accompanies the DS-2019. It includes your 91社区 identification number, required to create your 91社区 email account and complete the check-in process upon arrival at 91社区.
If a child, spouse, or other dependent will accompany you, you must provide each individual鈥檚 name, date of birth, and relationship to you on the form. You will also be asked to upload a scanned copy of the passport photo page.
Most scholars submit signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school confirming their English language proficiency level. Your home institution may be able to provide this documentation for you. A letter (printed on official letterhead) from a qualified faculty or staff member indicating your proficiency will be sufficient. Ask the international office at your home university if they can help you.
If you choose to provide official language proficiency scores (TOEFL or IELTS)听 or copy of a language program certificate, such documentation must be less than two years old.
A degree or certificate completed in an English-speaking country, multiple publications in English, or recent conference presentations in English will not meet U.S. Department of State requirements for language proficiency.听
The 91社区 will not initiate your visa application until you have submitted proof of English proficiency. Learn more about 91社区's English Proficiency Requirements here.听
The acceptance email from the Center for International Programs (CIP) will let you know what financial documentation is required for your visa. If such documentation is required, you must upload current financial documentation that lists the sources and amounts of financial support you have secured for your program. You may upload a letter from your home institution (on official letterhead) that states the financial support provided, a financial sponsor statement of support, or a copy of a recent bank statement (preferably with the currency converted to U.S. dollars). No other documents will be accepted.
Estimated costs per month for Academic Year 2024-2025:
|
Expense Name |
Cost |
|
Housing (for one-bedroom and utilities) |
$1,200 |
|
Meals |
$800 |
|
Health Insurance |
$160 |
|
Miscellaneous |
$350 |
|
Total for one-month |
$2,510 |
(not included: airfare, immigration fees, preparation expenses)
An additional $6,000/year ($500/month) is required for an accompanying spouse and an additional $4,000/year ($334/month) for each accompanying child. The 91社区 (91社区) academic year is听nine months听long and includes two semesters and two summer sessions.听
听
You are required to get an acceptance letter or email from the 91社区 department that agrees to serve as your host and identify a faculty member that will serve as your supervisor. You should save the letter or email as a PDF.
Step 1: Complete the Proposal听
(For non-U.S. citizens and residents)听
International exchange scholars who are not citizens or residents of the U.S. will need to听. In order for our office to initiate the process for your DS-2019, you must complete and submit the information form for visiting exchange scholars. The form in Part I collects your proposal for scholarly work at 91社区, contact, home institution, 91社区 faculty host, proposed duration of program, accompanying dependents, source of funding, and and a copy of your CV.
Step 2: Complete J-1 Visa Information Document
CIP staff will review your Proposal and based on the scope and duration of the scholarly work and activity, we will determine the appropriate category of J-1 Exchange Visitor program. Once the proposal has been approved by the host department at 91社区, CIP will reach out to you to complete the Visiting Exchange Scholar Information Part II. This form collects all the information including passport copy, detailed financial statement, and other biographical information, to issue the DS-2019. Please note that prior to completing the Part II form, you should have your passport copy, dependent's passport copies, and financial information available before completing the form.