J-1 Scholar Overview

The J-1 status is a non-immigrant status that allows academic institutions to invite international scholars to the U.S. to participate in research, teaching, and study in support of the objectives of public diplomacy and mutual educational and cultural exchange.

海角社区 is approved by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to serve as a J-1 sponsor for international scholars to participate in research and teaching programs at 海角社区. The J-1 scholar categories at 海角社区 are Short Term Scholar, Research Scholar, and Professor.

SHORT TERM SCHOLAR

The Short-Term Scholar program is designed for individuals coming to the United States on a short-term basis for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, and similar types of institutions.

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Participants must be professors, research scholars, or individuals with similar education or accomplishments.
Duration of program: 1 day to 6 months
There is no requirement for participants to maintain a home-country residency after the completion of their program.

KEY FEATURES

Flexibility for brief academic or research-related activities.
Allows for a broad range of academic and professional interactions and collaborations.
No formal teaching requirement.

RESEARCH SCHOLAR

The Research Scholar program is intended for individuals primarily involved in conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, and similar types of institutions in the United States.

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

They must have a specific research objective (i.e. perform research on xyx鈥�”)
They must have a specific job title (Visiting Scholar, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lecturer, Visiting Faculty, etc)
They must have documented English proficiency documented in an English Proficiency Form (we can help facilitate assessment if needed)
Must have sufficient funding (can be self-funded, funded by home institution, paid/offered a stipend from host institution, and/or funded by a government or NGO)
Must have health insurance for the duration of their stay (including dependents)
Cannot be tenure-track
Must have appropriate education and experience for the position/research
Purpose is to research, teach, observe, consult
Non-immigrant intent (subject to 2 year home residency requirement)
Duration of program: 3 weeks to 5 years

KEY FEATURES

Opportunity to engage in long-term research projects.
Ability to collaborate with American colleagues and institutions.
Participants may also teach or lecture, but their primary purpose must be research.
May be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.

PROFESSOR

The Professor program is designed for individuals to teach, lecture, observe, or consult at post-secondary accredited educational institutions in the United States. This program aims to promote the exchange of ideas, knowledge, and teaching techniques between U.S. educational institutions and their counterparts overseas.

ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

They must have a specific research objective (i.e. perform research on xyx鈥�”)
They must have a specific job title (Visiting Scholar, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lecturer, Visiting Faculty, etc)
They must have documented English proficiency documented in an English Proficiency Form (we can help facilitate assessment if needed)
Must have sufficient funding (can be self-funded, funded by home institution, paid/offered a stipend from host institution, and/or funded by a government or NGO)
Must have health insurance for the duration of their stay (including dependents)
Cannot be tenure-track
Must have appropriate education and experience for the position/research
Purpose is to research, teach, observe, consult
Non-immigrant intent (subject to 2 year home residency requirement)
Duration of program: 3 weeks to 5 years

KEY FEATURES

Focus on teaching and lecturing at U.S. educational institutions.
Participants can also engage in research, but teaching must be their primary purpose.
Opportunities for professional development and academic collaboration.
May be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.

J-1 Visa Funding Requirements

J-1 Exchange Visitors may receive a salary or stipend from various parties. They can receive funding from 海角社区, the government, private organizations, their current place of employment (outside the U.S.), or personal funds. The funding must meet the current living expense requirements. This requirement is currently $1,500/month or $18,000/year and does not include the cost of dependents or health care costs.

Required Documentation to Establish Funding

In order to confirm that the proposed Exchange Visitor has adequate funding for their program, they and the sponsoring Lewis University host department will be required to submit proof of funding from one or more of the following sources:

Personal Funds: Bank statement or letter.
Family/Friend Funds: Bank statement and an Affidavit of Financial Support.
海角社区 Funds: Department letter.
Other Institutional Support: Support letter.

All documents must be recent and in English. Compliance is crucial for a smooth exchange process. For additional inquiries, please contact 海角社区’s Office of International Student and Global Scholar Services at ISGSS@lewisu.edu.

Health Insurance

Mandatory Coverage: All J-1 Scholars/Professors and their J-2 dependents must maintain appropriate health insurance coverage throughout their program at 海角社区, aligning with United States government regulations for J visa holders.

Once a DS-2019 and J-1 visa are received, all J-1 Scholars/Professors must purchase required health insurance for themselves and any J-2 dependents. Click to purchase the required insurance. Please note that J-1 students have a different required insurance plan through Lewermark and they are billed directly through 海角社区.

Contact ISGSS@lewisu.edu for questions related to J-1 Scholar/Professor health insurance providers and plans. You must upload a copy of your purchased policy once your DS-2019 is issued and J-1 visa is received.

Employment

A Social Security Number (SSN) is necessary for most on and off-campus work opportunities, but a job offer letter is required to apply