J-1 Status Information

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program increases mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries by means of educational and cultural partnerships or cooperative agreements on a temporary basis. Entry into the United States as a participant in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is granted with the understanding that participants will complete the objectives of their program category, and on completion, return home to utilize the experience and skills been learned.

Gallaudet implements the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program under its International Special Student Program (ISSP) and International Visiting Scholar (IVS). The ISSP is a study program designed for people from outside the United States who are interested in studying at Gallaudet for up to one year. The IVRP was established to accommodate a limited number of professors, researchers, and other scholars who wish to use the University’s facilities each academic year.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program offers foreign nationals studying or working in the field of deafness an ideal opportunity to gain experience in this area. Gallaudet is authorized by the United States Department of State to operate the J-1 Exchange Visitor program under the following categories:

• Research Scholar
• Short-Term Scholar
• Specialist
• Student

Exchange visitors who will be coming to or are currently enrolled at Gallaudet University can find explanations of the rules and regulations governing exchange visitors, as well as services and important links, in these pages. We hope the information will help you in maintaining valid Exchange Visitor status as it pertains to your legal stay in the United States. We welcome your questions and concerns.

Eligibility

Participation in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program entails coming to Gallaudet University to study, teach, conduct research, observe, consult, demonstrate specialized knowledge or skills, or participate in a non-degree course of study. Participants are required to have sufficient funds to cover their expenses during the period of their program, appropriate credentials and experience related to the activity they will be engaged in, and adequate English Language proficiency. They also must show the consular officer that they have the intent to return to their home country at the end of the program.

If you have already been in the United States in the J-1 or J-2 program under the Research Scholar or Professor categories for all or part of the 12 months immediately preceding the desired start date of the new program at Gallaudet, you are not eligible for participation in a new J-1 or J-2 status, except under the following conditions:

• You are transferring between programs
• You were in the United States for less than six months
• You were in the United States as a Short-Term Scholar (see following definitions)

Scholar Types J-1 Student

• For international students at Gallaudet who are in a non-degree prescribed course of study or in a degree program at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree levels, and pursuing a full course of study.
• Are either sponsored by their government, Gallaudet, or external funding.
• The *12-month bar requirement applies to these participants who wish to return in the J-1 Professor/Research Scholar category.

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

• For students or professors who may be invited to observe or consult in connection with a research project(s), teach courses, give lectures, or lead seminars.
• Limited to a time period of five years to engage in research and/or teaching.
• May NOT hold or be candidates for a tenure track position at Gallaudet.
• Subject to the 12- or 24-month bar on repeat participation, which may prevent sponsorship of those who have previously held a J visa.

J-1 Short-Term Scholar

• Suitable for scholars coming to lecture, observe, consult, or participate in seminars, workshops, or conferences, and who will definitely leave the United States within six months.
• Limited strictly to six months
• The 12- or 24-month bars do not apply to these participants if they wish to repeat in the J-1 Professor/Research Scholar category.

J-1 Specialist

• For visitors coming for visits of up to one year to consult, observe, or demonstrate specialized knowledge or skills in which they are experts.
• Limited to a maximum stay of 12 months
• May not fill a permanent or long-term position of employment in the U.S.
• The 12-month bar of repeat participation applies to these individuals if they wish to return in the J-1 Professor/Research Scholar category

J-1 Student Intern

• For hosting international students in the U.S. who are currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a postsecondary academic institution in their home country.
• Limited to a maximum stay of 12 months.
• May not fill a permanent or long-term position of employment in the U.S.
• The 12-month bar applies to these participants who wish to return in the J-1 Professor/Research Scholar category.

*12- and 24-Month Bar

12-Month Bar: An individual who has been physically present in the United States under the J Exchange Visitor Program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a new program is barred from participating as a Professor or Research Scholar for 12 months, unless:

• The participant is transferring to a new Exchange Visitor Program sponsor.
• The participant’s presence in the United States was of less than six months duration.
• The participant’s presence in the United States was pursuant to a Short-Term Scholar exchange activity.

24-Month Bar: An individual who is participating or has participated as a Professor or Research Scholar and who uses the full five years of participation, or who completes his or her program participation in less than 5 years, is subject to a 24-month bar on repeat participation before being eligible to begin a new program as a Professor or Research Scholar.