J-1 Exchange Visitor Program for Professors, Research Scholars, and Short-Term Scholars
The primary purpose of the J-1 Exchange Visitor category, is “to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.”
Detailed information about the J Exchange Visitor program and obtaining a J visa is available on the Department of State web site.
Program Requirements
A J-1 exchange program is sponsored by the University of Florida only if specified requirements are met:
- The exchange visitor must possess a baccalaureate degree or higher, or equivalent education;
- The proposed activity must further interchange, mutual enrichment, and linkages between UF, and the research and educational institutions of other countries;
- The exchange visitor must have, at a minimum, the established financial support, either from UF or other sources, to live an adequate lifestyle in the location of the proposed worksite;
- The exchange visitor must maintain the insurance coverage that is required by federal regulations throughout the duration of the applicable J program; and
- The appointment to the position is temporary. Tenure-accruing positions are prohibited in the J program.
Program Categories
University of Florida sponsors three categories for research and teaching activities:
- Professor : an individual primarily engaged in teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting. A professor may also conduct research. The exchange visitor cannot be a candidate for a tenure-accruing position
- Research Scholar: an individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research program. A research scholar may also teach or lecture
- Short-term Scholar : an individual engaged in conducting research, observing, consulting, teaching, training, or lecturing for a period of six months or less.
The category choice should reflect the primary activity to be performed at UF. For programs that will be 6 months or less, the short term scholar category should be selected.
Program Regulations
12-Month Bar on repeat participation as a Professor or Research Scholar
An exchange visitor who participates in a J program as a Professor or Research Scholar is barred from returning to the United States in the Professor or Research Scholar category for 1 year (12 months) immediately following the completion of their initial program (including J-2 dependents) before November 18, 2006.
An exchange visitor whose prior physical presence in J status was of less than six months duration is exempt from the 12-month bar.
24-Month Bar on repeat participation as a Professor or Research Scholar
An exchange visitor who participates in a J program as a Professor or Research Scholar is barred from returning to the United States in the Professor or Research Scholar category for 2 years (24 months) immediately following the completion of their initial program (including J-2 dependents) . The effective date of this provision was November 18, 2006.
Two-Year Home Country 212(e) Regulation
Exchange visitors subject to the 212(e) rule requirement must return to their home country and reside in that country for two years before they become eligible for H, L, or permanent resident status. If subject to the 212(e) rule, exchange visitors are not permitted to change their nonimmigrant status within the United States from J to any other nonimmigrant category except A (diplomatic) and G (international organization) statuses.
Exchange visitors may be subject to this requirement if:
- The exchange visitor’s skill category appears on the applicable country’s “list of skills” that are in critical demand; and/or
- The exchange visitor’s program is supported financially by a government or international agency.
Listings of skill categories for applicable countries are located in the Federal Register: Revised Exchange-Visitor Skills List.
U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General visa officers determine if an exchange visitor is subject to the 212(e) rule. Inquiries about applicability of the 212(e) rule should be addressed to a visa section representative at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or U.S. Consulate General’s office: http://www.usembassy.gov/
Waiver of the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
Exchange visitors may apply for a waiver of the 212(e) requirement. Waivers are permitted by the Department of State and granted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Faculty and Scholar Services considers compliance with the Home Country Presence Requirement the responsibility of the exchange visitor. FSS’ role in the waiver application process is limited to providing basic procedural information about the process.
National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS)
Non-immigrants from certain countries, as well as other individuals whom the Attorney General or the Department of State (DOS) designate on a discretionary basis, are registered upon entry to the United States under "special registration" procedures, as part of the National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS). Please refer to the link above for more information on the NSEERS registration requirements.
An individual who has been registered in NSEERS at the port of entry upon admission to the United States must:
- Provide information requested by the immigration inspectors, and be fingerprinted and photographed;
- Inform Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within 10 days of any change of address, change of employer or change of school, on Form AR -11SR;
- Depart the United States from an officially-designated port of departure only, and report to a DHS officer at such airport prior to departure, on the day of departure; and
- Respond to any notice received from DHS that instructs the individual to report to DHS for an interview (these notices are sent only on an individual, case-by-case basis).
Individuals subject to Special Registration should be given:
- An I-94 with an FIN (Fingerprint Identification Number) recorded on it; and
- A Walkaway Materials packet at the POE, explaining their obligations under Special Registration, and listing the ports of departure that must be used when departing the United States.
Mandatory Health/Accident Insurance
Federal regulations require that J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents (if applicable) are covered by insurance which meets specific requirements for the duration of their J program. Insurance information is provided to UF exchange visitors in their pre-arrival DS-2019 packets. Detailed information about UF’s exchange visitor insurance requirements, acceptable insurance providers and policies are available in: Insurance Information.
UF Funding Requirements for J Program Sponsorship
- $1,500/month for Exchange Visitor
- $1,000/month for Spouse
- $500/month for each child
The chart below provides minimum funding requirements for exchange visitors and their dependents for monthly and annual periods:
EV=Exchange Visitor |
EV |
EV & Spouse |
EV, Spouse & 1 Child |
EV, Spouse & 2 Children |
EV & 1 Child |
EV & 2 Children |
Per Month |
$1,500 |
$2,500 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
Per Year |
$18,000 |
$30,000 |
$36,000 |
$42,000 |
$24,000 |
$30,000 |