Academic units sponsoring J-1 exchange visitors should keep in mind that the purpose of the J-1 visa is to allow foreign nationals to pursue academic exchange in the U.S.; for positions sponsored through the International Scholars Office (ISO), academic exchange means research, collaboration, observation, and/or teaching, and related academic activities.
Sponsoring units must not assign (or allow others to assign) administrative work, paid or unpaid, to J-1 exchange visitors. Such work is inconsistent with the J-1 visa purpose and could have severe consequences for the foreign national and the UW’s continued ability to welcome exchange visitors.
For more information on J-1 exchange visitors, see
our website or
contact ISO.