Center for International Education at the University of Northern Colorado

J-1 Scholar Information

J-1 Professors

A professor is "an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited educational institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institutions. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the sponsor." A professor may attend classes as long as the classes are incidental to the primary activity and the professor continues to pursue the objectives for which he or she came. If enrollment in classes or a degree program becomes the primary objective, the J-1 professor status is no longer appropriate. There is a minimum of three weeks stay required. (22 C.F.R. 62.4 (e) Professors desiring to take courses at UNC must submit a record of immunizatons IN ENGLISH to the UNC Health Center PRIOR to enrollment.

J-1 Research Scholars

A research scholar is an "individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. The research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor." A research scholar may attend classes as long as the classes are incidental to the primary activity and the research scholar continues to pursue the objectives for which he or she came. If enrollment in classes or a degree program becomes the primary objective, the J-1 research scholar status is no longer appropriate. Scholars desiring to take courses at UNC must submit a record of immunizatons IN ENGLISH to the UNC Health Center PRIOR to enrollment.f There is a minimum of three weeks stay required. (22 C.F.R. 62.4 (f))

J-1 Short-Term Scholars

A short-term scholar is defined as "a professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions." This category is used for one day to six month visits. No extension of stay is possible. (22 C.F.R. 62.4 (b))

Change of Status or Category

People in J-1 status who are subject to the two-year home country residency requirement may not change to any other non-immigrant status while in the United States . They must reside in their home country for two years before they or their dependents may obtain an employment visa for the US. It may be possible to have this requirement waived.Exchange visitors who enter the U.S. in one exchange visitor category, such as "researcher," are rarely permitted to change to another category, such as "student." A Waiver program is possible for some visitors. Check with the CIE if you're interested in changes of category or waivers of the home residency requirement..

Extension of Stay

You must file your program extension with the CIE or your own sponsor at least two months before it expires. Although J-1 students usually have no limitation on their length of stay in the U.S., J-1 professors, short-term scholars and research scholars have specific limitations. Check with the CIE if you have any questions.

Transfer to Another Program

The exchange visitor who wishes to transfer to another institution must have his/her current Program Sponsor's permission. Permission to transfer is granted only if the transfer contributes to the realization of the exchange visitor's original purpose in coming to the U.S. and the visitor has maintained status. Application for permission to transfer is made with Form DS2019 from the new sponsor until SEVIS is fully operational. Check with the CIE for further information if you intend to transfer programs.

Employment of J-1 Researchers and Scholars

Researchers and scholars in J-1 status can be authorized to accept employment away from their program sponsor only if that employment is directly related to their program objectives. Contact your Program Sponsor for more information, before the work takes place.



DEGREE SEEKING STUDENTS PROSPECTIVE CURRENT SCHOLARSHIPS EXCHANGE & STUDY ABROAD INCOMING OUTGOING FULBRIGHT INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM INTENSIVE ENGLISH SHORT TERM PROGRAMS ABOUT THE CENTER CALENDAR OF EVENTS MEET THE STAFF CONTACT US SITE MAP NEWSFLASH CIE EVENTS 2006-07 Events		J-1 Scholar Information J-1 Professors A professor is "an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited educational institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institutions. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the sponsor." A professor may attend classes as long as the classes are incidental to the primary activity and the professor continues to pursue the objectives for which he or she came. If enrollment in classes or a degree program becomes the primary objective, the J-1 professor status is no longer appropriate. There is a minimum of three weeks stay required. (22 C.F.R. 62.4 (e) Professors desiring to take courses at UNC must submit a record of immunizatons IN ENGLISH to the UNC Health Center PRIOR to enrollment. J-1 Research Scholars A research scholar is an "individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. The research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor." A research scholar may attend classes as long as the classes are incidental to the primary activity and the research scholar continues to pursue the objectives for which he or she came. If enrollment in classes or a degree program becomes the primary objective, the J-1 research scholar status is no longer appropriate. Scholars desiring to take courses at UNC must submit a record of immunizatons IN ENGLISH to the UNC Health Center PRIOR to enrollment.f There is a minimum of three weeks stay required. (22 C.F.R. 62.4 (f)) J-1 Short-Term Scholars A short-term scholar is defined as "a professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions." This category is used for one day to six month visits. No extension of stay is possible. (22 C.F.R. 62.4 (b)) Change of Status or Category People in J-1 status who are subject to the two-year home country residency requirement may not change to any other non-immigrant status while in the United States . They must reside in their home country for two years before they or their dependents may obtain an employment visa for the US. It may be possible to have this requirement waived.Exchange visitors who enter the U.S. in one exchange visitor category, such as "researcher," are rarely permitted to change to another category, such as "student." A Waiver program is possible for some visitors. Check with the CIE if you're interested in changes of category or waivers of the home residency requirement.. Extension of Stay You must file your program extension with the CIE or your own sponsor at least two months before it expires. Although J-1 students usually have no limitation on their length of stay in the U.S., J-1 professors, short-term scholars and research scholars have specific limitations. Check with the CIE if you have any questions. Transfer to Another Program The exchange visitor who wishes to transfer to another institution must have his/her current Program Sponsor's permission. Permission to transfer is granted only if the transfer contributes to the realization of the exchange visitor's original purpose in coming to the U.S. and the visitor has maintained status. Application for permission to transfer is made with Form DS2019 from the new sponsor until SEVIS is fully operational. Check with the CIE for further information if you intend to transfer programs. Employment of J-1 Researchers and Scholars Researchers and scholars in J-1 status can be authorized to accept employment away from their program sponsor only if that employment is directly related to their program objectives. Contact your Program Sponsor for more information, before the work takes place.