The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961. The overall goal of the act, and of the Exchange Visitor Program, is to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges [22 CFR § 62.1(a)].”
CSU’s International Student and Scholar Services office can create DS-2019 immigration documents to assist prospective exchange visitors in applying for a J-1 visa. Different categories of J-1 programs are available depending on the exchange visitors’ anticipated activities. Exchange visitors at CSU are typically engaged in research, teaching, consulting, observing, or demonstrating special skills.
Research Scholar or Professor
A participant in the Research Scholar category is an individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project (but they may also engage in teaching). A Professor is an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting (but they may also conduct research). Here are some additional points to keep in mind:
- Temporary in nature: participants shall not be a candidate for a tenure-track position.
- 12-month bar: participants cannot have been in the U.S. in J-1 status for any part of the 12-month period prior to the start date of their new program except as a Short-Term Scholar or another category for less than 6 months.
- 24-month bar: participants cannot have been in the U.S. in either the Professor or Research Scholar category within the last 24 months unless transferring from another U.S. institution.
- Incidental lectures or short-term consultations: permitted with the written approval of the responsible offer so long as they are directly related to the objectives of the participant’s program and do not delay its completion date.
- Program duration: minimum three weeks and maximum five years
Short-Term Scholar
A short-term scholar is a faculty member or research staff, or person with similar education or accomplishments, who intends to visit the United States to lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills. Short-term scholars may participate in the Exchange Visitor Program at conferences, workshops, seminars, or other events listed their Forms DS-2019. Incidental lectures or short-term consultations are permitted with the written approval of the responsible officer so long as they are directly related to the objectives of the participant’s program and do not delay its completion date. The maximum duration for this category is six months.
Specialist
A specialist is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill who intends to visit the United States for the purpose of observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills. An individual in the specialist category has the opportunity to observe American institutions and methods of practice in their professional fields, and to share their specialized knowledge with their American colleagues. The maximum duration for the Specialist category is 12 months.
Contact
Please contact Erin Wish in ISSS with any case-specific questions you may have.