J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

Overview
Requesting Documents for a J-1 Exchange Visitor
Getting an ID Card
J-1 Extensions

Overview

The J-1 Exchange Visitor classification is the status most commonly used by foreign scholars in this country. Under the Exchange Visitor status, scholars, professors, researchers and others may come to the United States for temporary periods for the purpose of educational exchange. Any international visitor who has sufficient academic training to benefit from an academic or professional program at a U.S. college or university may be eligible for this status. However, if the university is hiring an international employee into a tenure track position, the J-1 status may not be appropriate. The J Exchange Visitor program is designed for temporary exchanges rather than long-term employment.

Specific information about the visitor, the period of the assignment and the source of financial support is necessary for the preparation of the "Certificate of Eligibility" (Form DS-2019) for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status. This document will be used by the visitor to obtain the appropriate J-1 visa to enter the United States as a Professor, Research Scholar, Short-term Scholar or Specialist and to be eligible to receive a salary when one is included in the appointment. Immediate dependents of the J-1 visa holder qualify for J-2 status and may apply for employment authorization, if desired.

212e Home Residency Requirement

The J status has special restrictions and requirements for the Exchange Visitor. The visitor may be subject to the "two-year home residency requirement" if funding is from government sources or if the academic area of the visitor in on the "Exchange Visitor's Skills List" for his/her country of last legal residence. Being "subject" to this requirement means that the visitor must return to the country of legal residence for two years immediately following completion of the J-1 program. A waiver may be requested, but is not guaranteed.

Insurance Requirement

The visitor is also required to certify that he/she has the required levels of health, medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance for himself/herself and dependents.

Funding Requirements

The initial request by the hiring department can be for up to a maximum of five years. Verification of financial support is required. Funding may be from the university, the Exchange Visitor's government, personal funds or a combination of these sources. Documents verifying financial support from a source other than UT must be emailed to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) at scholars@austin.utexas.edu.

SEVIS Fee

Exchange Visitors are required to pay a $180 SEVIS fee before applying for the J-1 visa. ISSS provides a guide to the visitors along with their DS-2019 to inform them of the fee and the payment process.

Requesting Documents for a J-1 Exchange Visitor

J-1 Online Request Form https://utdirect.utexas.edu/isss/vs_dept.WBX

Departments can now submit J-1 requests to ISSS online at the link above. The system will generate three automatic email messages to the:

• Exchange Visitor (future J-1)
• Supervising Professor
• Department Chair/Director

The Exchange Visitor will be asked to submit biographical information online; the Supervising Professor and Department Chair/Director will be asked to provide electronic signatures approving the J-1 request on behalf of the academic department.

Departments and Exchange Visitors can check the status of the immigration document processing online at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/isss/vs_status.WBX

ID Cards for J-1 Exchange Visitors

Please note that the ID Center now has a new template for the ID Memo, so please provide the Exchange Visitor with an ID Memo directly.
The memo no longer needs to be sent to the International Office.  The new memo templates can be found on the ID Center website at:
http://www.utexas.edu/its/idcenter/start.php#visitor

For information on the ISSS Foreign Services Fee, please see the ISSS Foreign Scholar Services Fee webpage.

J-1 Extension

In order to process a J-1 extension, ISSS will need:

1. A letter from the sponsoring professor requesting an extension, including:
1. The J-1 Exchange Visitor’s UT EID
2. The specific dates of the extension
3. The specific amount of university funding provided, if applicable
4. If insurance benefits are included
2. Verification of funding if the scholar will not be supported by the department
3. Verification of insurance that meets the requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors and their dependents
4. Passport, I-94 and previous form DS-2019

Please note, J-1 Exchange Visitors may only have programs within the maximum program duration: