Program Categories and Time Limitations
professors, research scholars & short-term scholars
To be eligible for any category of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, participants must not be candidates for tenure track positions. Each category has its own acceptable activities and time limitations.
definitions
Professor
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 program sponsor.
Research Scholar
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. Professor and Research Scholar are two separate categories, but because they are related, regulations are similar.
Short-Term Scholar
A professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments who visits the U.S. to lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar institutions.
Time Limitations
Category |
Minimum Duration of Stay |
Maximum Duration of Stay |
Other |
|---|---|---|---|
Professor |
3 weeks |
3 years |
Subject to 12-month bar* |
Research Scholar |
3 weeks |
3 years |
Subject to 12-month bar* |
Short-Term Scholar |
None |
6 months |
No extensions possible. Not subject to 12-month bar. |
*12-month Bar
Professor and research scholar participants may not be in the United States in J-visa status for any part of the 12-month period preceding the start date of the program as indicated on the Form DS-2019. The 12-month bar can be waived if the participant is 1) present in the United States no more than 6 months; or 2) participating in the Short-Term Scholar category.
30-Day Grace Period
Program duration times are governed by the time limitations described above. However, Exchange Visitors may enter the USA up to 30 days before the official program start date and exit the USA up to 30 days after the official end date. During these 30-day grace periods, the EV may travel or prepare for departure. However, any official duties or employment is not permissible outside the official program dates.
Other J-1 Exchange Visitor Categories
There are other categories of exchange visitors that are not discussed in this document. These include students, trainees, specialists, teachers at primary or secondary schools, etc. Oklahoma State University may also sponsor J-1 students, but does not have authority to sponsor exchange visitors in any of the other categories.
For more information on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, go to:
U.S. Department of State website
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website