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J-1 Scholar

General Eligibility Requirements for hosting a J-1 Exchange Visitor

The host department at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University is the first to receive requests for J-1 Scholar designation. Speaking with an academic department is the first step for anyone interested in or in need of J-1 status. The department will then start the procedure with the Office of International Student and Global Scholar Services. 

All of the necessary paperwork and information must be completed at least two months before J-1 Scholar's expected start date at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ due to delays in visa processing overseas. Please be aware that the processing of visas may take longer in some cases.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ Departments are required to review the following information in order to determine the eligibility requirements for the prospective J-1 exchange visitor:

• Length of Stay: Professors and research scholars are permitted to remain in the United States for a total maximum of five years. Short-term scholars are permitted to remain in the United States for up to six months; no extension is permitted.
  
  
• Repeat Participation in the Research Scholar and Professor Categories: After a scholar spends time in the U.S. in one of these categories, he/she is prohibited from returning to the U.S. for 24 months in either the professor or research scholar category. There are no exceptions to this rule.
  
  
• 12-Month Rule: An individual will not be eligible for J-1 research scholar or professor status if he/she was in the U.S. in any J status for six out of the previous 12 months. In such cases, he/she must be out of J status for one year before being eligible for J-1 research scholar or professor status.
  
  
• English Language Requirement: New federal regulations beginning January 5, 2015 require use of an “objective measurement of English language proficiency” to determine the language proficiency of all J-1 scholars.
  
  
• Two-Year Home Residency Requirement: Some J-1 scholars and their dependents are required to return to their country of permanent residence for a minimum of two years upon completion of the J-1 program before they will be eligible for H, L, K, or permanent residency status. On rare occasions the visitor may file for a waiver of this requirement. Without the waiver, the J-1 exchange visitor may not change non-immigrant status while in the U.S. or apply for any of the four statuses listed above. Once a waiver is received, extensions of J status are not permitted.

Type of J-1 Scholars

Eligibility Requirements for a Research Scholar or Professor

• Must have a specific research objective (i.e. perform research on xyx…”) and purpose (to research, teach, observe, consult)

• Must have a specific job title (Visiting Scholar, Visiting Postdoctoral Fellow, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Lecturer, Visiting Faculty, etc)
• Must have appropriate education and experience for the position/research
• Documented English proficiency (ISGSS can help facilitate assessment if needed)
• 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)
• Health insurance required for the duration of their stay (including dependents)
• Cannot be tenure-track
• Non-immigrant intent (subject to 2 year home residency requirement)
• Duration of program: 3 weeks to 5 years

General Information about J-1 Visa Funding Requirements

J-1 Exchange Visitors may receive a salary or stipend from various parties. They can receive funding from ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University, 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ 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.
• ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University 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 ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University’s Office of International Student and Global Scholar Services at ISGSS@lewisu.edu.

Health Insurance

Mandatory Coverage: All J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents must maintain appropriate health insurance coverage throughout their program at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University, aligning with United States government regulations for J visa holders.

Automatic Enrollment: Exchange Visitors are automatically enrolled in ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University's health insurance plan through Lewermark upon their program start date.

ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University prioritizes the health and well-being of its Exchange Visitors. For detailed information about the Student Health Insurance Plan visit ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University | International Student Services | Insurance . Below is a summary of the policy:

Exchange Visitors must provide verification of the following coverage:

• $100,000 per accident or illness: With a deductible not exceeding $500.

• Repatriation of Remains: In the event of death, coverage of $25,000 is required.

• Medical Evacuation: Coverage of $50,000 for expenses associated with medical evacuation to the home country or country of permanent residence.

Health Insurance Waiver Policy:  J-1 Exchange Visitors at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University do not have the option to waive the university's health insurance plan. Therefore, they should not purchase additional health insurance before arriving on campus, as it cannot be used while enrolled at ÃÛÌÒ´«Ã½×îаæÏÂÔØ University.

For detailed information about the health insurance plan, please contact ISGSS@lewisu.edu.

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

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