The U.S. Department of State (DOS) requires that J-1 exchange visitors coming to perform research or teach at the UW be assigned a “category” which reflects their academic activities on campus. The categories available for academic personnel are:
- Research Scholar/Professor
- Short-Term Scholar
- Specialist
These categories are not UW academic appointment titles, but all J-1 visas will be assigned one of these categories by a member of the International Scholars Operations (ISO) Team.
Factors considered when assigning a category include:
- Academic background
- UW appointment title
- Job responsibilities
- Immigration history
- Possibility of repeat visits to the U.S.
- Anticipated length of stay
The J-1 category is stated in item 4 of the exchange visitor’s DS-2019. The exchange visitor’s UW academic appointment title is not listed on the DS-2019.
Category Descriptions
Research Scholar/Professor
Qualifications: Must have academic credentials (generally at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and experience appropriate to the field of endeavor.
Activity: The activity must be full-time and temporary. Generally exchange visitors in this category engage in research, observation or consultation, but they may also teach and lecture if the UW appointment title permits.
Length of Stay: 3 weeks – 5 years. Extensions beyond 5 years are not possible.
Eligibility for Repeat Participation: Exchange visitors who have completed a J-1 program may incur a 12- or 24-month bar on repeat participation before they can begin a new J-1 program in the Research Scholar/Professor category.
Short Term Scholar
Qualifications: Must have academic credentials (generally at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and experience appropriate to the field of endeavor.
Activity: The activity must be full-time and temporary. Generally exchange visitors in this category engage in research, observation or consultation, but they may also teach and lecture if the UW appointment title permits.
Length of Stay: Up to 6 months. Extensions beyond 6 months are not possible.
Eligibility for Repeat Participation: Regulations permit individuals who have previously participated in an exchange visitor program in the Short-Term Scholar category to begin a new program in any category without delay.
Departments which invite exchange visitors for 6 months or less but anticipate extending their stay beyond 6 months must request the Research Scholar/Professor category instead of the Short-Term Scholar category.
The Department of State, which administers the exchange visitor program, has indicated that repeat participation in the Short-Term Scholar category is allowed only when the proposed new activity differs substantially from the prior activity.
UW departments sponsoring exchange visitors for repeat visits in the Short-Term Scholar category must provide a memorandum explaining the differences between the prior and the proposed new activity.
Specialist
Qualifications: Must have academic credentials and experience appropriate to the field of endeavor. This category requires ISO approval prior to submission of a J-1 visa request.
Activity: Demonstrating specialized knowledge/skills, or to observe or consult with colleagues.
Length of Stay: 3 weeks-12 months
Eligibility for Repeat Participation: Individuals who have previously participated in any exchange visitor program may begin a new program in the Specialist category without delay. Individuals who have completed an exchange visitor program in the Specialist category may be delayed in beginning a new program in the Research Scholar or Professor categories because of the 12-month bar. The Specialist category may not be used to circumvent the 12- or 24-month bars on repeat participation.