J-1 Categories
J-1 Categories
The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa status has many different categories. Below you will find the most commonly used Exchange Visitor Categories at JHU as well as a brief description of each category. You can easily find your Exchange Visitor Category by referring to section 4 on your DS-2019 document.
J-1 Student Degree Seeking | J-1 Short-Term Scholar |
J-1 Student Non-Degree | J-1 Research Scholar |
J-1 Professor |
A student admitted to a full-time degree-seeking program. Certain international students admitted to eligible degree programs within the Johns Hopkins University will be issued DS-2019 Certificates of Eligibility for J-1 student status if the student is financially sponsored by a government or international organization that requires the student to be in J-1 status. J-1 students must receive a substantial portion of their funding from a source other than personal or family funds.
- A minimum stay of three weeks is required.
- There is no maximum duration of stay so long as the student is making progress towards the educational objective.
J-1 Student [Non-Degree]
A student admitted to JHU as a visiting graduate or undergraduate student or through an established exchange program. J-1 non-degree students must receive a substantial portion of their funding from a source other than personal or family funds or attend JHU pursuant to an exchange agreement.
- A minimum stay of three weeks is required.
- A maximum stay of two years, inclusive of any period of Academic Training, is allowed.
- For programs lasting longer than 6 months, will become subject to the 12 Month Bar up conclusion of the program.
J-1 Research Scholar
A research scholar is an individual primarily conducting research. The research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the OIS.
- Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (or foreign equivalent)
- A minimum stay of three weeks is required
- a maximum stay of five years is allowed.
- No tenure-track faculty or staff positions are permitted within the J-1 Research Scholar category.
- Will become subject to the 24 Month Bar on Repeat Participation upon the conclusion of the program
- May become subject to the 2 Year Home Residency Requirement
J-1 Professor
A professor is an individual primarily engaged in teaching or lecturing. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the OIS.
- Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (or foreign equivalent)
- A minimum stay of three weeks is required
- a maximum stay of five years is allowed.
- No tenure-track faculty or staff positions are permitted within the J-1 Research Scholar category.
- Will become subject to the 24 Month Bar on Repeat Participation upon the conclusion of the program
- May become subject to the 2 Year Home Residency Requirement
J-1 Short-Term Scholar
A short-term scholar is an individual coming to the US for a period of up to six months to lecture, observe, consult, and participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, study tours, professional meetings, or similar types of educational and professional activities. (NOTE: no extensions beyond six months are permitted under any circumstances)
- Requires a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree (or foreign equivalent)
- No minimum stay is required
- A maximum allowed stay of six months (NOTE: no extensions beyond six months are permitted under any circumstances)
- No tenure-track faculty or staff positions are permitted.
- May become subject to the 2 Year Home Residency Requirement
- Will NOT become subject to the 24 Month Bar on Repeat Participation upon the conclusion of the program
Requests to repeat participation as a short-term scholar will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis by the OIS and can only be considered if the scholar is returning to complete a different research objective than that of the initial period of J-1 short-term scholar status.
If you have questions about J-1 Exchange Visitor status, please contact the OIS at j1-scholars@jhmi.edu.
