Skip Navigation

OIS uses the J-1 Student Non-Degree Student category to sponsor visiting students at JHU.  This status can be extended for a maximum of two years and is dependent upon the student’s continued enrollment in a degree program abroad.  

Once the individual completes their degree program, they are no longer eligible to continue their visiting student program at JHU per the terms of the JHU Visitor Policy. There may be options for the individual to continue to engage in activities at JHU (for example, a visiting student who completes their PhD and wishes to pursue a postdoctoral fellowship at JHU). These options are dependent upon timing and logistics, the needs of the hosting department at Hopkins, as well as the unique circumstances of the individual and their short and longer range academic and professional goals.  

Incoming visiting students and their JHU hosting departments should carefully review the information below to determine the best pathway based on their specific plans.  

Visiting student spends less than 6 months in the J-1 “Non-Degree Student” category

Student may be eligible for the J-1 “Research Scholar” category which can be extended up to a maximum of 5 years, if offered a qualifying academic appointment after the completion of their degree.

  • In order to obtain this status, they would follow the full J-1 Scholar Request process timeline (average of 2-4 months) including making arrangements to travel abroad after the end of visiting student program and apply for a new J-1 scholar visa from a U.S. Embassy/Consulate
Visiting student spends more than 6 months in the J-1 “Non-Degree Student” category

Student would become subject to a 12-month waiting period before they would be eligible for J-1 Research Scholar status

  • Instead for a position at JHU, they could apply for J-1 “Post-Completion Academic Training” (a benefit of the J-1 Non-Degree student category, available AFTER they graduate from their degree program) without needing to obtain a new J-1 visa from abroad
  • Note: the total period of Post-Completion Academic Training cannot exceed the time they spent in Non-Degree student status
    • for example:  7 months as a Non-Degree Student would allow 7 months of Post-Completion Academic Training (minus any pre-completion Academic Training used). The total time available for Non-Degree Student + Academic training cannot exceed two years
  • Note: this option only allows for up to a maximum of one year of Academic Training following completion of the student’s degree program
    • After this, they would be required to change to another immigration status (for example H-1B). Eligibility for other statuses may also require a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement, which would require additional time and planning
Visiting student nearing degree completion and have long term plans

Individuals who are very near to degree completion and have longer range plans to pursue an academic appointment (for ex. postdoctoral fellowship) at JHU/in the U.S. may also choose to forego their plans to come as a Visiting Student and wait until they graduate to come to the U.S. as a J-1 “Research Scholar”.  This would afford them five years of uninterrupted time to hold an academic appointment (such as a Postdoctoral Fellowship) in the J-1 Research Scholar category.

Departments should discuss plans with prospective Visiting Students to determine the best immigration sponsorship option and may consult OIS with any questions at [email protected].