According to the Department of State (DOS), the purpose of the J-1 Exchange 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.
The exchange of visiting scholars promotes interchange, mutual enrichment, and linkages
between research and educational institutions in US and foreign countries. Participants
in this program will enter the US with a J-1 visa, identified as “exchange visitors.”
J-1 Categories
There are various J-1 categories that an individual may fall under:
Professor: A professor is an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting.
A professor may also conduct research unless disallowed by the sponsor.
- Minimum stay of three weeks is required
- Maximum stay is five years
Research Scholar: A research scholar is an individual primarily conducting research, observing, or
consulting in connection with a research project. The research scholar may also teach
or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor.
o Minimum stay of three weeks is required
o Maximum stay is five years
Short-term Scholar: A short-term scholar is an individual primarily conducting research, observing,
or consulting in connection with a research project. The research scholar may also
teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor.
- No minimum stay is required
- Maximum stay is six months (no extensions beyond six months under any circ*mstances
Specialist: A specialist is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to
the U.S. to demonstrate his/her special knowledge/skills, observe or consult.
o Minimum stay of three weeks is required
o Maximum stay is twelve months
How To Apply
Departments who wish to invite a J-1 Exchange Visitor to Southeastern must submit
the J-1 Exchange Visitor Instruction and Form packetdirectly to the ISO. A DS-2019 will be issued to the visitor once the packet has
been submitted.
Plans to invite a J-1 Exchange Visitor should begin 3-4 months in advance of the start
date of the appointment to allow time for document preparation, mailing of the immigration
documents, and visa processing.
Minimum Funding Requirements
Proof of funding must be provided to the ISO in order for a DS-2019 to be issued.
Additional funding is required for each dependent as well. Funds may come from Southeastern,
an outside organization, or the individual may be supported by his or her own resources.
Immigration regulations require proof of sufficient funding before an immigration
document can be issued. The documentation must be valid within the past 12 months
and should be translated into English if in another language.
Health Insurance
All J-1 and J-2 status holders are federally mandated by the Department of State to
carry adequate health insurance coverage. Southeastern offers a health insurance plan
that can be charged to the scholar upon their initial visit to the ISO. If the scholar
does not wish to purchase the Southeastern provided plan, they must have adequate
coverage of their own which must be approved by the International Services Office.
More information on health insurance for J1 status holders can be found here
If the J-1 scholar fails to maintain the mandatory health insurance coverage, they
will be in violation of federal immigration regulations, will be subject to termination
as a participant, and must leave the U.S. immediately.
Two Year Home Residence Requirement – 212(e)
Some J-1 exchange visitor students may be subject to the 212(e) rule. This means that
your home country requires you to return home for at least two years after the J program
has ended. This rule would prevent you from changing your visa status within the boundaries
of the US to most other statuses. You may apply for the F-1 student visa at a US Consulate
or Embassy outside the US for a new academic degree program. However, it is not guaranteed
that you will be issued an F-1 visa to enter the US to pursue another US degree. Should
you be issued an F-1 visa, it does not eliminate the 212(e) requirement for you to
return home for 2 years; it merely postpones the requirement until after your F-1
program.
Part of being an exchange student may entail returning home after the program and
apply the knowledge and experience you have gained through the program by bringing
it back to your home country, as may be required by the US Department of State and
some sponsors.
Students may refer to their J-1 visa stamp and/or the information in the lower left
box of the DS-2019 form to determine if they are subject to the 212(e) requirement.
There is a process to apply for a waiver of the 212(e) requirement if you are subject;
however, it is not guaranteed that it will be waived. You should set up an appointment
with the ISO to get more information. It is difficult to obtain a waiver if there
was government money involved in your exchange sponsorship.
