J -1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Overview
The J-1 exchange visitor program allows an individual to enter the U.S. for a temporary, non-tenure-track teaching and research position, as a specialist, an exchange student, or as a short term scholar. The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program “is to foster the exchange of ideas between Americans and foreign nationals and to stimulate international collaborative teaching and research efforts.... The exchange visitor’s appointment to a position shall be temporary, even if the position itself is permanent. The individual shall not be a candidate for a tenure-track position.” It is a fairly simple process for the individual to obtain this type visa in his/her home country, but the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs within the State Department has specified a number of program requirements of which you should be aware.
- Reciprocity - It is hoped that the visitors will be a part of exchange programs or that at a minimum, Loyola should will have some type of exchanges with the area of the world where the visitor is from.
- Cross-cultural activities - Loyola should offer or make available to exchange visitors a variety of appropriate cross-cultural activities. USIA encourages sponsors to give their exchange visitors the broadest exposure to American society, culture and institutions, and to encourage exchange visitors to participate in activities which are for the purpose of sharing the language, culture, or history of their home country with Americans.
- Orientation - Sponsors shall offer appropriate orientation for all exchange visitors and the exchange visitor’s immediate family, especially those who are expected to be in the United States for more than one year.
- Insurance - Exchange visitors are required to have insurance for themselves and their family during the period of time that they participate in the sponsor’s exchange visitor program. The insurance must cover the following:
- Minimum Coverage -- medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per accident or illness; repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500; and expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $10,000.
- Additional Terms -- A policy secured to fulfill the insurance requirements shall not have a deductible that exceeds $500 per accident of illness, and must meet other standards specified in the regulations.
- Housing - The department should provide the exchange visitor with information on housing in New Orleans. In previous cases, the department has assisted the individual in locating housing.
- Two-year home residency requirement - A J-1 may be subject to a two year residency requirement and therefore ineligible to apply for an immigrant visa, adjust status or apply for a temporary work visa. This requirement is effective if the exchange visitor’s skill is in short supply, as determined by his/her own government, or if financing is directly or indirectly from the U.S. government or the home government.
J-1 Application
Departments who sponsor individuals in this category must submit a J-1 request form and submit this and a sponsorship letter (sample) to the Center for International Education. CIE will complete a DS-2019 to send to the visitor. The J-1 applicant must take this form along with the sponsorship letter to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain a visa. Because the J-1 is part of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), the J-1 will have to pay the $100 SEVIS fee in addition to the visa fees which vary according to the country of origin. Departments who wish to pay the $100 SEVIS fee can do this on-line with a credit card and the receipt can be mailed along with the DS-2019. CIE will require a minimum of 3 days to complete the DS-2019 once all paperwork is received.