The J-1 Exchange Visitor is an individual who participates in a program designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include trainees, scholars, students, teachers, researchers, graduate medical education, observation, consultations, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participants in organized people-to-people programs. Summer employment programs for young people and internship programs for university students and au-pairs are included.
The Office of Immigration Services administers the University of Oklahoma’s J-1 program for Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, and Specialist as described below. Although participants may be students outside of the U.S. as long as they have obtained a Bachelor's degree, these are non-student categories.
Foreign national physicians who seek entry into U.S. programs of graduate medical education or training must reach out to Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) and the Graduate College of OUHSC. ECFMG is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a sponsor for J-1 exchange visitor physicians enrolled in accredited programs of graduate medical education or training. ECFMG is the sole sponsor of J-1 physicians in clinical training programs.
Exchange Visitors are required to have a valid, unexpired DS-2019 Form (see Petition Process below) and a valid, unexpired passport at all times. Sponsors may terminate an exchange visitor’s program for violating U.S. laws or program regulations or rules governing their particular program.
Review descriptions of the J-1 categories below and how long individuals in each category are allowed to remain in the U.S.
The Research Scholar exchange visitor must be engaged primarily in conducting research, observing or consulting in connection with a research project in research institutions, post-secondary accredited educational institutions or similar types of institutions.
Participants in the Research Scholar category are authorized to engage in the exchange visitor program for the length of time necessary for completion of the project up to a cumulative total of five years beginning on the date of entry to the U.S. This cumulative total of five years is across all projects.
The five-year calendar period is based on a “use or lose” basis. For example, any amount of time that a participant returns home will have that time counted towards the total five-year calendar period. This includes time away for vacation and holiday visits.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA Section 212(e)), an exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement if the following conditions exist:
Restrictions - If you are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement, you must return to your home country for a cumulative total period of at least two years before you can do any of the following:
Waiver of Two Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement - If you are not able to fulfill the home country presence requirement, you may apply for a waiver. Review Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement to learn more about this requirement and how to request a waiver.
The nature of the 212(e) waiver application process is a personal one that is specific to each J-1 Exchange Visitor's situation; therefore, our office can provide general information about applying for it, but cannot provide any legal assistance or advice.
In addition to the 212(e) Home Residency Requirement, there is a separate restriction placed upon J-1 exchange visitors in the "Professor" and "Research Scholar" categories. This second restriction is called the "Bar on Repeat Participation." This restriction cannot be waived.
When your current J-1 visa in the "Professor" or "Research Scholar" category ends and departs the U.S. or change status, you will be restricted for two years from beginning another "Professor" or "Research Scholar" J-1 program. Additionally, an international visitor is restricted from beginning a "Professor" or "Research Scholar" program if they have held a different J-1 of any category in the previous 12 months.
Participants who complete a program which is less than five years will have the option to transfer to another institution and have the current program extended up to the maximum duration of five years, or return home and fulfill the two years of program ineligibility before repeating participation in one of these categories.
A Professor exchange visitor is an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited educational institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institutions.
Participants in the Professor categories are authorized to engage in the exchange visitor program for the length of time necessary for completion of the project up to a cumulative total of five years beginning on the date of entry to the U.S. This cumulative total of five years is across all projects.
The five-year calendar period is based on a “use or lose” basis. For example, any amount of time that a participant returns home will have that time counted towards the total five-year calendar period. This includes time away for vacation and holiday visits.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA Section 212(e)), an exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement if the following conditions exist:
Restrictions - If you are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement, you must return to your home country for a cumulative total period of at least two years before you can do any of the following:
Waiver of Two Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement - If you are not able to fulfill the home country presence requirement, you may apply for a waiver. Review Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement to learn more about this requirement and how to request a waiver.
The nature of the 212(e) waiver application process is a personal one that is specific to each J-1 Exchange Visitor's situation; therefore, our office can provide general information about applying for it, but cannot provide any legal assistance or advice.
In addition to the 212(e) Home Residency Requirement, there is a separate restriction placed upon J-1 exchange visitors in the "Professor" and "Research Scholar" categories. This second restriction is called the "Bar on Repeat Participation." This restriction cannot be waived.
When your current J-1 visa in the "Professor" or "Research Scholar" category ends and departs the U.S. or change status, you will be restricted for two years from beginning another "Professor" or "Research Scholar" J-1 program. Additionally, an international visitor is restricted from beginning a "Professor" or "Research Scholar" program if they have held a different J-1 of any category in the previous 12 months.
Participants who complete a program which is less than five years will have the option to transfer to another institution and have the current program extended up to the maximum duration of five years, or return home and fulfill the two years of program ineligibility before repeating participation in one of these categories.
Short-Term Scholar exchange visitors may lecture, observe, consult, and participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, study tours, professional meetings, or other types of similar educational and professional activities. This category provides foreign scholars the opportunity to exchange ideas with their American colleagues, participate in educational and professional programs, confer on common problems and projects, and promote professional relationships and communications.
The Short-Term Scholar program is limited to the time needed to complete the objective, up to four months, but no longer than, a maximum of six months.
Specialist exchange visitors are foreign specialists that are observing American institutions and methods of practice in their professional fields, and sharing their specialized knowledge with their American colleagues.
The Specialist may participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for the length of time necessary to complete the program, but participation cannot exceed one year.
The J visa is a nonimmigrant visa and participants are granted entry into the U.S. with the understanding that they will complete the objectives of a single program category. The J-1 visa should not be used in the situations described below.
The petition process is initiated by an OU department and has several steps. If a request is not submitted in a timely manner, the subsequent DS-2019 and visa issuance may not be completed before the exchange visitor's services are required or their previous employment authorization ends.
| When | Who | What |
|---|---|---|
| Any time | Prospective exchange visitor | Prospective visitor must meet the qualification requirements for a specific category described above. |
| ~90 days before program start date | Sponsoring department | Sponsoring OU department initiates sponsorship of a J-1 exchange visitor by submitting Form OIS2019 with the other supporting documents to OIS. |
| OIS | OIS reviews Form OIS2019 and submits the request to be reviewed by the Office of Export Controls. | |
| Export Controls | Export Controls determines if the proposed activity is subject to Export Control Regulations and whether a professional license is required. | |
| OIS | After the OIS2019 has been approved, OIS issues a DS-2019: Certificate of J-1 Eligibility to the prospective exchange visitor and the sponsoring department. * | |
| Prospective exchange visitor | J-1 exchange visitor submits the DS-2019 to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate as part of their visa application.
|
*The US Government now allows sponsors to sign DS-2019s digitally and electronically transmit them to the exchange visitors. For more information, refer to the BridgeUSA website.
The title of Scholar requires a minimum salary of $2,000 per month. Visitors appointed as Affiliate must supply documentation (bank statement or institutional support letter) establishing their funding source(s) no less than the minimum of $2,000 per month for the entire period listed on the DS-2019.
Additional $400 per month is required for each J-2 dependent (effective July 1st, 2024).
The title of Research Scholar and Associate Research Scholar requires a minimum annual salary level of $23,660.00. Only visitors appointed to the the title of Research Scholar or International Visitor are allowed to include outside funding to meet the required annual salary of $23,660.
Additional $400 per month is required for each J-2 dependent (effective July 1st, 2024).
All foreign nationals who seek to enter the U.S. in the J-1 exchange visitor category must obtain a visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate before coming to the U.S. Applicants should apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over their place of permanent residence. NOTE: Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement but must comply with all other documentation requirements.
I-901 SEVIS Fees: In addition to any visa fees, individuals applying for J visas must pay the $220 SEVIS fee before applying for their visas. Fee payment must be processed at least 3 business days before the scheduled date of the visa interview. Proof of payment must be presented during the visa application process. Review information about the SEVIS payment and submission of the SEVIS form I-901. The applicant is responsible for all visa and SEVIS fees. The university does not pay these fees.
Denial of Visa: The SEVIS fee is valid for 12 months from the date of the initial application if the applicant wishes to apply again for the same or a different program category.
Family Petitions & Applications: All family-based application and petition expenses must be paid by the individual.
Office of Immigration Services (OIS) Fees: OIS offers immigration services provided by an in-house immigration attorney and administrative staff. These services are currently provided at no charge to the department or participant. OU remains one of the few schools offering these services at no charge. Requests that require expedited attention or do not provide minimum notice to our office may eventually force our office to charge fees.
The participant MUST enter the U.S. no later than the program start date listed on the DS-2019 form.
New exchange visitors must communicate with OIS and their hosting department if their arrival is delayed. We will advise as necessary.
Exchange visitors entering the U.S. must present themselves in person to an OIS staff member at OU within 3 business days of their U.S. entry. Proof of valid entry will be required. If the participant fails to appear within 3 business days, their SEVIS record is subject to automatic cancellation by the U.S. Department of State.
Exchange Visitors transferring from other programs must present themselves in person to an OIS staff member at OU within 3 business days of their arrival at OU, and within no more than ten business days from the transfer date on the DS-2019 form.
All individuals living in the US who are not US citizens must report to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) any change of residential address within 10 days of the address change.
University faculty and scholars on J-1 visas, including dependents in J-2 status, must report a change of U.S. home address within 10 days to the Office of Immigration Services (OIS). The staff will update your new address, phone number, and/or email address in the US State Department’s SEVIS system. Contact your Program Sponsor, whose name and telephone number is listed on your Form DS-2019.
Exchange visitors receiving monetary support directly from the university will require a Social Security number.
The Social Security Administration application process can take up to two months before a card is issued with the assigned number. In the interim, a temporary number can be assigned for payroll purposes until the Social Security card is received.
Federal law requires J-1 participants and any J-2 dependents (spouses and minor children under the age of 21) accompanying them to carry medical insurance with the coverage described below. Review the J-1 Medical Health Insurance Requirement in the Resources section of this website. NOTE: University-provided medical insurance does not include the required level of coverage described below. The participant and their dependents must acquire additional insurance to meet these requirements.
J-1/J-2 Insurance Requirements:
| Coverage Item | Minimum Requirement |
| Medical Benefits | $100,000 per accident or illness |
| Repatriation of Remains | $25,000 |
| Medical Evacuation | $50,000 |
| Deductible | $500 maximum per accident or illness |
Willful failure on the part of the participant or any J-2 dependents to maintain active medical insurance coverage is grounds for termination from the program. OU Group Medical Benefit Coverage called Cigna PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) is available to exchange visitors who are classified as an OU employee (i.e., Associate Research Scholar, Postdoctoral Research Fellow, & temporary faculty).
The University of Oklahoma does not recommend or endorse any medical insurance company. We provide a list for your convenience as a starting point. Refer to page 2 of J-1 Medical Health Insurance Requirement. If you are unsure if a plan meets the aforementioned requirements, you may check with the OIS office to confirm if the policy complies with federal regulations before purchasing it.
While current regulations do not require entry to exit (travel) insurance, the Department of State and sponsors strongly encourage this highly desirable coverage. The average out-of-pocket expense for an emergency visit, even with insurance can cost thousands of dollars. Emergency room visits without insurance can be higher. The J-1 exchange visitor and any accompanying dependents may also be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act, depending on the nonimmigrant’s tax residency status.
Before your travel;
1) Check with your supervisor at OU/OUHSC to schedule time off. If you are an OU benefits eligible employee, a leave request must be submitted with your sponsoring department in advance,
2) Contact OIS to obtain a travel signature on your DS-2019,
3) Complete OU Travel Registration if you will be traveling internationally.
If you are applying for a J-1 visa renewal;
Visa applicants should prepare in advance and allow sufficient time for potential delays when applying for visas of any type at a U.S. consular post abroad.
International visitors and workers on approved visas who travel outside the U.S. must review the following information:
The Exchange Visitor program permits the entry of the participant’s dependents under the J-2 visa at the sponsor’s discretion. The J-2 visa is available to the spouse and unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of a J-1 visa holder. The status of the J-2 visa holder remains valid as long as the principal J-1 visa holder maintains their J-1 status. If the principal J-1 completes the program and returns to their home country, J-2 dependents must leave too.
A J-2 visa-holder is allowed to work while in the U.S, if the work is not to support the principal J-1 holder. In order to legally work while in the U.S., the J-2 visa holder must apply for permission to seek employment from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service by filing Form I-765. Once this permission is granted, the visa-holder may work for any employer, either full-time or part-time. There is no legal limit to what they can earn. Read J-2 Instructions for EAD Card for more details.
J-1 participants and any J-2 dependents (spouses and minor children under the age of 21) accompanying them are required to carry medical insurance that meets the J-1 insurance requirements. See the "Medical Insurance" tab on this page for more information. Medical insurance offered to J-2 dependent through their U.S. employer may not satisfy the insurance requirements for the J visa.
The J-2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by a consular official at a U.S. embassy or consulate. The application procedure is the same as that for a primary visa applicant. The sponsor must approve the accompaniment of the spouse and/or children who will each be issued their own Form DS-2019. To request a DS-2019 for eligible family members, the J-1 scholar will complete the Form OIS2019-2 and submit to the appropriate OIS office for processing.
Family Petitions & Applications: All family-based application and petition expenses must be paid by the individual.
Following the completion of their program, the U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) will allow participants a 30-day travel period commonly referred to as the “Grace Period.” During this 30-day grace period, participants are no longer in J-visa status and are under the jurisdiction of the USCIS. The USCIS grants this period to allow participants to settle their affairs and to prepare to return to their home countries. During this period, program participants may not work or continue program activities.
Certain categories of exchange visitors are subject to the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA Section 212(e)) and must return home for two years after completing their J-1 program. An exchange visitor is subject to the INA 212(e) requirement, if the following conditions exist:
If the exchange visitor is subject to INA 212(e) requirement, he or she cannot change his or her status to that of H, L, K, or immigrant lawful permanent resident (LPR) until he or she has returned to his/her home country for at least two years or received a waiver of that requirement. Such waivers can be obtained under five separate bases: No Objection Statement, Exceptional Hardship or Persecution, Conrad Program, or Interested Government Agency. For information, see Waiver of the J Visa Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement 212(e).
Individuals that hold a derivative dependent J-2 status are also subject to INA 212(e). An exchange visitor who is subject to the requirement is not permitted to change to any other nonimmigrant status within the U.S. Individuals can write to the U.S. Department of State and request a formal advisory opinion on the applicability of the requirement.
Exchange visitors are allowed to transfer to another sponsor if they are properly released by the first sponsor. To qualify as a transfer instead of a new program, the transfer program must clearly have the same purpose as the original program category (i.e., Research Scholar, Student, Alien Physician, etc.).
Current J-1 exchange visitors wishing to transfer to OU/OUHSC from another institution in the U.S. should contact OIS and the sponsoring faculty at OU/OUHSC for important information regarding the transfer process.
Current J-1 exchange visitors wishing to transfer from OU/OUHSC to another institution in the U.S. must reach out to OIS as soon as they know the effective transfer date.
Download relevant forms from the Forms and Resources sections.
