Forms
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Overview
In 1948 Congress passed the U.S. Information and Educational Exchange Act, to "promote a better understanding of the United States and other countries, and to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries." [PL 80-402, Sec 2] This and the Fulbright-Hayes Act passed in 1961 form the basis for today's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The internet website for information on the Exchange Visitor Program is http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges.
The Scholar Program allows international faculty, post-doctoral researchers, scientists, and other professionals to spend time at the University of South Florida participating in such activities as research, lecturing, and observing.
The University of South Florida has been designated by Department of State to operate a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program to bring scholars in the categories of Researcher, Professor, Short Term, and Specialist.
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Categories
Professor:
Must have the equivalent of an earned U.S. Masters degree, or Bachelor's degree with extensive additional research experience. Maximum 5 year stay. After completion of program, can not return to U.S. as a J-1 Professor or Researcher for 24 months.
Research Scholar:
Must have the equivalent of an earned U.S. Masters degree, or Bachelor's degree with extensive additional research experience. Maximum 5 year stay. After completion of program, can not return to U.S. as a J-1 Professor or Researcher for 24 months.
Short-term Scholar:
Program may be identical to Professor or Research Scholar, however is limited to 6 months. For short-term academic exchange for the purpose of lecturing, consulting or research. Not subject to participation bars- refer to the "Length of Stay" section for more information.
Specialist:
An individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to the US for observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills. This designation is limited to one year only.
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Length of Stay Information
Most J-1 programs require a minimum stay of three weeks and allow a maximum stay of five years.
Maximum Length of Stay Now 5 Years
The maximum length of program for J-1 exchange visitors in the Research Scholar and Professor category has been increased from three to five years. The five year maximum stay for a J-1 research scholar/professor is not counted in the aggregate. The five year “clock” begins with the start date on the DS-2019 form and this status remains available until the end of five years or the date the J-1 program is concluded, whichever is earlier. At USF, the initial DS-2019 will be issued for the duration of the appointment and can be extended up to a maximum of five years. However, when the program at USF is completed so is the J-1 program unless the scholar transfers immediately to another J-1 sponsor.
Two-Year Participation Bar
At the end of the J-1 research scholar/professor’s exchange visitor program, regardless of the length of the stay (7 months, 2 years, or 5 years), the exchange visitor becomes subject to a “two year bar on repeat participation as a J-1 research scholar of professor.” This means that when a research scholar/professor completes his or her J-1 program participation, regardless of the length, the J-1 research scholar/professor status is concluded and is not eligible for another stay as a J-1 research scholar/professor until two years have passed.
This bar is different from the two year home country residence requirement (see below) and only applies if the individual wants to return to the U.S. in the J-1 research scholar/professor category. The two years can be spent in the U.S. in another J-1 category (i.e. short term scholar or specialist) or in another immigration status, e.g. H-1B, if eligible.
Existing 12 month bar
There currently exists a 12 month bar for persons seeking to use the J-1 Research Scholar/Professor category. This bar applies to individuals who have been in the US in any J status (all categories except short term scholar, and including J-2 status) for six months or more in the 12 month period immediately prior to the proposed start date on the new J program. Prospective J-1 research scholar/professors who are subject to the two year bar on participation are not subject additionally to the 12 month bar.
Two Year Home Residency Requirement
The two year bar on participation is different than the 2-Year Foreign (“Home”) Residency Requirement (212(e)). For information about 212(e) read the J-1 two-year home resident information below.
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Two Year Home Residency Requirement
In certain instances, visitors in J status are required to return and live in their home country for two years before they may change to H status or receive a green card. This is so the home country can benefit from the exchange visitor's experience in the United States since exchange visitors come to this country for a specific objective such as a program of study or a research project.
An exchange visitor is subject to the subject to the INA 212(e) requirement if any of the following conditions apply:
- the exchange visitor's participation in an exchange program was financed, directly or indirectly, by the United States government or a foreign government for purpose of exchange
- the skills that the exchange visitor is coming to develop or exercise are in a field which the exchange visitor's "home" government requested be included on the State Department skills list.
- exchange visitor comes to the United States to receive graduate medical education or training
For complete information on the Two Year Residency Requirement, please visit the U.S. Department of State web site.
To request a waiver of the Two Year Requirement, you must file a DS-3035 form, which may be accessed through the Department of State's web site: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html
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Health Insurance
The United States requires all J-1 Exchange Visitors to carry health insurance for the full duration of their J program. All J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to complete the Health Insurance Verification Form in order to comply with this rule.
While the University of South Florida cannot evaluate, recommend, or endorse any specific health insurance company or policy, a list of health insurance providers can be founded at: http://www.eseries.nafsa.org/scriptcontent/YP_auto/c12.cfm
Visit the Health Insurance Terminology page for approximate definitions of terms and conditions often found in U.S. health insurance policies
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New Scholar Orientation
New scholars must call the ISSS office upon arrival to schedule an individual orientation session. At this orientation session you will receive information about USF, the Tampa Bay Community and the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
You will also be given information regarding health insurance, and how to obtain a USF ID and a social security number. Your department sponsor will assist you with information concerning payroll sign-up, acquiring an e-mail account, research expectations and other departmental related matters.
For additional information please visit USF Information for New Faculty.
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Extension of J-1 Scholarship
If your hiring department wishes to extend your appointment/affiliation with the University, they must complete an DS-2019 Extension Form and return it to International Services at least one month before your current J-1 status expires (date as noted in section 3 of Form DS-2019). Keep in mind that the same criteria required for the initial appointment must be maintained or met in order to extend the appointment.
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Transfer of J-1 Sponsorship
If you wish to transfer from one J-1 sponsor to another, you must seek clearance from the original program sponsor. Once your program sponsor has approved or signed your new DS-2019 and returned it to the new sponsor, you are then considered under the sponsorship of the new program. The scholar may not take up employment with the new program until the transfer process has been successfully completed. The transfer of J-1 program sponsor must be completed prior to the individual's termination from the previous J-1 program and before the current DS-2019 form expires. Time spent in a previous program(s) prior to the transfer will be counted toward the five-year maximum.
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Information for Dependants (J-2)
For detailed information about dependants please visit the Institute for International Education's (IIE) website - J2 Dependants information.
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