J-1 Exchange Visitor Categories

The professor category is for a foreign national who enters the U.S. for the primary purpose of teaching, lecturing, observing or consulting at accredited post-secondary academic institutions, museums, libraries or similar types of institutions. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the sponsoring organization.

Professor must:

• Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;
• Not have participated in and completed a professor program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program’s commencement;
• Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a professor program unless he or she meet one of the following exceptions:
  • The participant is currently in a professor program and is transferring to another institution in the US to continue his or her current J-1 program;
  • The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and
  • The prior participation was as a short-term scholar.

Benefits

Educational enrichment: Professors facilitate the exchange of ideas and research in a variety of fields between people of the U.S. and people of other countries.

Limitation of Stay

3 weeks to 5 years

Extension

A professor may extend his or her stay up to the 5 year maximum or transfer to another program within that period, but extensions beyond 5 years are not permitted.

Payment

This category is eligible to receive payment from Texas State University as the source of funds and/or the designated sponsor for a period of validity (from the start to the end date) as stated on the DS-2019.

The Form DS-2019 authorizes the above stated employment. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is not required.

Repeat Participation

Participation in the professor category triggers the 24-month bar restrictions. Professors who have entered the U.S. under the Exchange Visitor Program or who have acquired such status while in the U.S., and who have completed his or her program are not eligible for participation as a professor or research scholar for a period of 24 months following the end date of such program participation as identified on the Form DS-2019.

Sponsors are required to:

• Screen and select qualified foreign nationals to further education, research and exchange initiatives;
• Monitor the Exchange Visitor’s stay in the U.S., ensure that they are progressing in the work being performed or the research being conducted; and
• Ensure that they are involved in cross-cultural programs where they can learn about the U.S. and its people.
• Ensure exchange visitors have appropriate academic or similar credentials.
• Ensure that the program is suitable to the Exchange Visitor's background, needs, and experience.

Sponsors must ensure the following for the Exchange Visitor:

Language Proficiency: Verify that Exchange Visitors have the education and credentials necessary to carry out the activity for which they are entering the U.S. and that they have sufficient proficiency in the English language to function in an English-speaking environment.

This category is for a foreign national who enters the U.S. for the primary purpose of conducting research, observing or consulting in connection with research projects at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or similar types of institutions. A research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor.

The research scholar’s appointment to a position shall be temporary, even if the position itself is permanent.

Incidental lectures or short-term consultations are permitted with the approval of the responsible officer (RO/ARO in the ISSS Office) so long as they are directly related to the objectives of the participant’s program, and do not delay the exchange program’s completion date.

Research Scholars must:

• Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;
• Not have participated in and completed a research scholar program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program’s commencement;
• Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a research scholar program unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
  • The participant is currently in a research scholar program and is transferring to another institution in the U.S. to continue their current J-1 program;
  • The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and
  • Any prior participation was as a short-term scholar.

Benefits

Educational enrichment: Scholars facilitate the exchange of ideas and research in a variety of fields between people of the U.S. and people of other countries.

The exchange of research scholars promotes the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries.

Limitation of Stay

3 weeks to 5 years

Extension

A research scholar may extend his or her stay up to the 5 year maximum or transfer to another program within that period, but extensions beyond 5 years are not permitted.

Payment

This category is eligible to receive payment from Texas State University as the source of funds and/or the designated sponsor for a period of validity (from the start to the end date) as stated on the DS-2019.

The Form DS-2019 authorizes the above stated employment. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is not required.

Repeat Participation

Participation in the research scholar category triggers the 24-month bar restrictions. Research Scholars who have entered the U.S. under the Exchange Visitor Program or who have acquired such status while in the U.S., and who have completed his or her program are not eligible for participation as a professor or research scholar for a period of 24 months following the end date of such program participation as identified on the Form DS-2019.

Program Sponsors are required to:

• Screen and select qualified foreign nationals to further education, research and exchange initiatives;
• Monitor the visitor’s stay in the U.S., ensure that they are progressing in the work being performed or the research being conducted; and
• Ensure that they are involved in cross-cultural programs where they can learn about the U.S. and its people.
• Ensure exchange visitors have appropriate academic or similar credentials.
• Ensure that the program is suitable to the Exchange Visitor's background, needs, and experience.

Sponsors must ensure the following for exchange visitors:

Language Proficiency: Verify that exchange visitors have the education and credentials necessary to carry out the activity for which they are entering the U.S. and that they have sufficient proficiency in the English language to function in an English-speaking environment.

Professors, research scholars, and other individuals with similar education or accomplishments who travel to the U.S. for a short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train or demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. Examples of short-term scholars are: educators, scientists, research fellows, writers, museum administrators, librarians, and similar persons of recognized expertise.

Short-Term Scholars must:

• Be a professor or research scholar or someone with similar education and or experience.

Benefits

Educational enrichment: Participants collaborate on special research projects, teach a semester at a college or university, or lecture, consult or observe in a variety of settings in education and research in the U.S.

Engage in short-term collaborations and interchange of research between foreign scholars and their American colleagues, participate in educational and professional programs, confer on common problems and projects, and thereby promote improved professional relationships and communications

Limitation of Stay

1 day to 6 months

Note: The maximum duration of stay is six months; No program extension will be considered; and No change of category will be considered.

Extension

A short-term scholar may extend his or her stay up to the six-month maximum or transfer to another program within that period, but extensions beyond 6 months are not permitted.

Payment

This category is eligible to receive payment from Texas State University as the source of funds and/or the Designated Program Sponsor for a period of validity (from the start to the end date) as stated on the DS-2019.

The Form DS-2019 authorizes the above stated employment. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card is not required.

Repeat Participation

Participation in the short-term scholar category does not trigger the 12-month or 24-month bar restrictions; therefore this category would be ideal for a scholar who would like to be able to return on an annual basis to the U.S. without restriction.

Program Sponsors are required to:

• Screen and select qualified foreign nationals to carry out exchange initiatives;
• Monitor the Exchange Visitor’s stay while in the U.S. and assist with any issues that may occur;
• Ensure that the foreign national is successfully carrying out the responsibilities for which entry to the U.S. was granted;
• Ensure exchange visitors have appropriate academic or similar credentials;
• Ensure that the program is suitable to the Exchange Visitor's background, needs, and experience;
• Ensure that exchange visitors are involved in cross-cultural programs where they can learn about the U.S. and its people;
• Ensure that the exchange participants and his/her dependents, if any, are covered by health insurance; and
• Ensure that exchange visitors have sufficient finances to participate in the program and to support their spouse and dependents, if any.

Who Qualifies?

• Students enrolled at a foreign university or college.
• Participate in an exchange program at a U.S. university for academic study.

Requirements

• Must be accepted to Texas State University 
• Must demonstrate sufficient English Proficiency 
• Must have adequate financial support for duration of stay.
• Must maintain full-time enrollment according to U.S. regulations.

Benefits

• Take courses at a U.S. university
• Gain exposure to U.S. academic and cultural experiences.
• Improve language skills and professional competencies.

Cultural Exchange

• Engage with American students and faculty
• Participate in cultural activities and community programs
• Promote mutual understanding between countries.

Limitation of Stay

• Typical duration: 1 semester to 1 academic year
• Maximum duration depends on your university's agreement with Texas State University. 
• Program extensions: Only allowed if approved by the Education Abroad Office.

Repeat Participation

• Students may extend their exchange period with Texas State University as long as it is approved by your home institution abroad and the TXST Education Abroad Office.