Skip Navigation

Departments that host J-1 visiting students are responsible for understanding their role and responsibilities and working with OIS to uphold the regulatory requirements of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. It is important to understand both the nature and purpose of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as well as the laws, regulations and university-specific policies as they apply to J-1 visiting students during their time at JHU.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor program was founded as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (The Fulbright–Hays Act) and falls under the purview of the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Its stated purpose is: “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange.” The J-1 Exchange Visitor immigration status allows for individuals to participate in cross-cultural, academic and learning experiences in the U.S. with a designated Program Sponsor on a temporary and non-immigrant basis. The Department of State provides more information about the J-1 Exchange Visitor program on its BridgeUSA Website.

Departments should also familiarize themselves with The Exchange Visitor Program Participant Welcome Brochure that contains contact information for the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor Program.

JHU acts as a J-1 Program Sponsor for J-1 visiting students (in the J-1 Student non-degree category) to participate in academic and cross-cultural activities across our campuses within the U.S. All participants in our J-1 Exchange Visitor program are required to abide by the federal regulations pertaining to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as well as by the requirements set forth by Johns Hopkins as a J-1 program sponsor.

Below is a summary of basic guidelines and expectations for departments that host J-1 visiting students:

Department Administrator

Must complete J-1 Visiting Student Training prior to submitting requests for J-1 sponsorship 

Faculty Sponsor

Must hold a full-time faculty level or equivalent appointment within the department that is hosting the visiting student and be able to act as a primary supervisor, directly overseeing the individual’s academic program on a routine basis.

Departmental Responsibilities

  1. Review the following requirements for Maintaining J-1 Student Status 
  2. Review the J-1 student Health Insurance requirements 
  3. Understand there are university policies that provide definition of Visiting Student, the activities in which they may engage, and the type of visa sponsorship available to them (for example, the University Visitor Policy) 
  4. Take the necessary action/contact OIS in the event of:
    • J-1 arrival delays or program date changes
    • Changes to prescribed activities (for example: change of hosting faculty, location/site of activity, funding source or amount, additional or new responsibilities, etc.) 
    • Termination of program and/or early departure from JHU
    • Extended leave time or LOA
    • Questions about extracurricular activities (such as employment opportunities, teaching, or enrolling in extracurricular courses or degree programs) 
  5. Contact OIS in the event of:
    • Serious issues involving or affecting a J-1 Visiting Student. The Department of State (DOS) requires J-1 program sponsors to ensure the health, safety and well-being of J-1 Exchange Visitors. OIS is required to notify DOS within one business day of any issues impacting the health, safety and well-being of J-1 Exchange Visitors, any investigations of an exchange visitor’s site of activity, or any serious problem or controversy that could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor’s exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute.

Email [email protected] to report any issues.