Exchange Visitor Program Overview

The primary purpose of the exchange visitor program 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 U.S. government minimum requirements 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
Research Scholar / Professor 3 weeks 5 years Teaching, lecturing, observing, consulting and conducting research Bachelor's degree required. No tenure track positions.
Short-Term Scholar 1 day 6 months Lecturing, observing, consulting, training, demonstrating special skills. Bachelor's degree expected.
Specialist 3 weeks 1 year Observing, consulting, demonstrating special knowledge or skills. Sharing expertise. Cannot be filling a permanent or long-term position.
Student Intern 3 weeks 1 year Full-fill educational objectives for degree program in home country. DS-7002 Internship Plan. 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 Vsitor Research Scholar/Professor program.

Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement

Some  exchange visitors (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.