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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 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 
  • A minimum stay of three weeks is required
  • A maximum stay of five years is allowed.
  • Scholar must have a full-time academic appointment at JHU for the duration of J-1 status.  Part-time positions are not eligible for J-1 sponsorship.
  • 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 
  • A minimum stay of three weeks is required
  • a maximum stay of five years is allowed.
  • Scholar must have a full-time academic appointment at JHU for the duration of J-1 status.  Part-time positions are not eligible for J-1 sponsorship.
  • No tenure-track faculty or staff positions are permitted within the J-1 Professor 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
  • 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 [email protected].