J-1 Visa & Exchange Visitors
Hosting an Exchange Visitor
To host a Visiting Scholar, the hosting professor from UTRGV must submit a J-1 Exchange Visitor Application to the Office of Global Initiatives.
Once the application is submitted to our department, the application will be processed and a DS-2019 form will be issued for the Exchange Visitor in order for them to obtain the J-1 visa needed to enter the U.S. and conduct research with their hosting professor here at UTRGV.
Visiting Scholars
The exchange of professors and research scholars promotes the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries.
Professor & Research Scholars must:
- Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;
- Not have participated in and completed a professor or research scholar program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program’s commencement;
- Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a professor or research scholar program unless they meet one of the following exceptions:
- The participant is currently in a professor or research scholar program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue their current Exchange Visitor Program;
- The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-Visa Exchange Visitor Program was less than six months in duration; and
- The prior participation was as a short tem scholar.
Short-Term Scholars must:
- Be a professor or research scholar or someone with similar education and or experience.
- The maximum duration of stay is six months;
- No program extension will be considered; and
- No change of category will be considered.
Exchange Visitor Program Application and Fee
If your school or department is interested in hosting a scholar or researcher from a foreign institution you will have to submit an Exchange Visitor Program Application .
The Exchange Visitor Program application fee may be paid by the visiting scholar's home institution, UTRGV's hosting department, or the visiting scholar themselves. The payment may be made in the resources tab located on the left-hand side.
Hosting Professors or Departments must submit all the required documents to the department of Education Abroad through the online application at least 80 days prior to the exchange visitor's proposed start date. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
Once we have received the completed Exchange Visitor Program application packet we will issue the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status for your scholar. The visiting scholar then will submit an application to the local U.S. consular office in the home country to acquire a J-1 Visa for entry in the United States under the J program of the U.S. Department of State.
Exchange Visitor Program Insurance Requirement
U.S. Department of State regulations require that sponsors (colleges, universities, or agencies which promote educational exchange) monitor insurance coverage for all exchange visitors. Proof of insurance coverage must be supplied to our office upon your arrival at UTRGV or your Exchange Visitor status must be canceled.
Visiting Scholars/Researchers Agreement
All Exchange Visiting Scholars at UTRGV that are not hired through the Office of Human Resources must sign the Visiting Scholars/Researchers Agreement
Sample Invitation Letters for Visiting Scholars/Researchers
Hosting departments prepare invitation letters for visiting scholars and researchers. This template provides examples for unpaid visiting scholars. Paid scholars must contact UTRGV HR for a conditional offer letter.
J-1 Transfer Request Supplemental Form
This supplemental form is to be filled in by the prospective J-1 transfer and the A/RO from their current program sponsor.
J-1 Extension Request Form
This form is for departments to request an extension for a current J-1 Visiting Scholars/Researchers who needs a program extension.
Guidelines and Procedures At Arrival
Scholars must check in with International Student Services within 7 days of arrival in order to validate the program on SEVIS. If the program is not validated within 30 days of the program start date, the program will be automatically canceled in SEVIS and the Exchange Visiting Scholar will need to depart the U.S.