OISSS: For International Academic Staff: J

In this section on J, there are the following pages:

Photo: Academic Staff and their children The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to promote international educational exchange of expertise and to stimulate collaborative teaching and research efforts. Exchange Visitors are approved to enter the United States for a specific purpose and for a limited amount of time. Therefore, DOS will not allow an Exchange Visitor to change category and limits the length of time in the U.S. to minimum and maximum time periods. Professors and Research Scholars may be sponsored for J-1 status if they have either a master's degree in the field to be pursued at UNC-Chapel Hill or a bachelor's degree with extensive experience in the field.

UNC-Chapel Hill sponsors a limited number of Exchange Visitor categories:

Professor and Researcher: Participants in these categories are limited to a 3-year stay. They are appropriate for scholars who are engaged in research, teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting.
Short-Term Research Scholar: This category is intended only for short-term collaboration and exchange. The maximum duration for this category is 6 months. No extension is possible.
Specialist: This category is intended for participants who are expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill. The maximum duration of this category is one year. No extension is possible.

In accepting a J-1 visa and entering the U.S. based on this visa, a J-1 Exchange Visitor obligates themself to comply with the terms and conditions pursuant to this status and as stated on the visa certificate (Form DS-2019). a J-1 Exchange Visitor will be admitted for the sole purpose of carrying out the program as stated in item #4 on the front of the certificate. For example: if a J-1 Exchange Visitor is coming to conduct research and is classified as a Research Scholar, they will not be allowed to change category (e.g., to student category) after their arrive in the U.S. Nor will they be able to extend their program for a period longer than the federal regulations permit. In addition, the DOS regulations published in April 1996 prohibit Program Sponsors from issuing forms DS-2019 to individuals to begin a new program as Professors or Research Scholars who have been in the United States within the previous 12 months as a J-1 Exchange Visitor. Please read the entire certificate (front and back) carefully to be sure that you understand all the conditions governing Exchange Visitors. Your attention is particularly directed to the back of page 1, items 1(a) and 1(c).

Item 1(a) describes the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement
Certain J-1 holders who either have governmental funding, or whose academic area is considered critical to their home country and thus appears on the United States Information Agency (USIA) "Skills List," may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement. A J-1 holder subject to this requirement would be compelled to return to the home country for a period of two years upon completion of the J-1 program, before the J-1 holder could petition for either H1-B temporary worker status or an immigrant visa (green card). If you are subject to the two-year residency requirement you are not eligible to change to any other visa status within the United States. Information regarding the 2-year home residency requirement can be found under 'Foreign Residency Requirement' on the Department of State's website: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#12.

Item 1(c) states the time limitations that are placed on the various categories
A J-1 Exchange Visitor must understand that these time limitations are strictly enforced. Generally, "Professors" and "Research Scholars" may stay from 3 weeks to 3 years (an extension of this maximum duration to five years is in process), while "Short-Term Research Scholars" may only stay up to 6 months (with no extensions possible). Degree-seeking students may extend their stay as long as necessary, if they have departmental approval, are making reasonable progress, and have the financial resources to maintain themselves and their dependents.

Office of International Student and Scholar Services | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill