J-1 Academic Categories: Eligibility & Requirements
Table of Contents
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What is the Short-Term Scholar category and who is it designed for?
What are the eligibility requirements for Short-Term Scholar (education, purpose, activities)?
What is the maximum duration of stay for a Short-term Scholar?
What funding options are available for Short-Term Scholars?
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What is the Research Scholar category and who is it designed for?
What are the eligibility requirements for Research Scholar (education, purpose, activities)?
What is the maximum duration of stay for a Research Scholar?
What funding options are available for Research Scholars?
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What is the Professor category and who qualifies?
What distinguishes a Professor from a Research Scholar for J-1 purposes?
What teaching and research activities are permitted under the Professor category?
What is the maximum duration of stay for a Professor?
Must Professors have a terminal degree in their field?
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What is the Specialist category and what types of specialists does it cover?
What are the eligibility requirements for a Specialist?
What is the maximum duration and what activities are permitted for Specialists?
What funding options are available for Specialists?
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What is the Student Intern category?
Who is eligible for Student Intern status (current students vs. recent graduates)?
What is the maximum duration of a Student Intern program?
What types of internship activities are permitted under Student Intern status?
How does Student Intern differ from the Intern/Trainee category?
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What is the difference between the Intern and Trainee categories?
Are the Intern and Trainee categories appropriate for academic research positions?
What are the eligibility and duration requirements for Intern and Trainee?
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What is the Teacher category used for?
Is the Teacher category appropriate for university-level instruction?
What are the requirements for primary and secondary school teachers under the J-1 program?
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Short-Term Scholar
What is the Short-Term Scholar category and who is it designed for?
The Short-Term Scholar category is designed for individuals who come to the U.S. for a short period of time to participate in educational and professional activities (e.g., lecture, teach, consult, observe, or conduct short-term research). It is a fairly flexible category in terms of the scope of activities permissible and is specifically designed for scholars who intend to only be in the U.S. for a very short period.
The Short-Term Scholar category is commonly used for:
Guest lecturers
Visiting researchers
Scholars participating in short academic collaborations
Scholars engaged in academic consultation or observation
Note: This category is not intended for long-term or ongoing appointments (see 2.1.3 below).
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.21 Short-Term Scholars; BridgeUSA Short-Term Scholar Basics
What are the eligibility requirements for Short-Term Scholar (education, purpose, activities)?
A Short-Term Scholar is typically a professor, research scholar, or someone with similar educational background. Although the regulations do not specify exactly what level of education is required, the U.S. Department of State has indicated that they expect a minimum of a bachelor’s degree for a Short-Term Scholar. The purpose of the program is to “lecture, observe, consult, and to participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, study tours, professional meetings, or similar types of educational and professional activities.”
To qualify, you must:
Have appropriate academic credentials or professional experience
Enter the U.S. for a clearly defined short-term academic purpose
Engage only in activities consistent with the exchange objective listed on your DS-2019
Note: This category is not intended for long-term or ongoing appointments (see 2.1.3 below).
Reference(s)/Resource(s): U.S. Department of State A Guide for Responsible Officers and Alternate Responsible Officers
What is the maximum duration of stay for a Short-term Scholar?
The maximum duration of stay for a Short-Term Scholar is 6 months. There is no minimum length of time for the program.
Important: Extensions are not permitted, you cannot change to the Research Scholar or Professor category during this period, and you cannot participate in two back-to-back short-term programs without first returning home.
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.21(g) Duration of Participation
What funding options are available for Short-Term Scholars?
Funding for a Short-Term Scholar may come from:
Personal funds
Host institution
Home-country institution
Home-country government
U.S. government
Third-party sponsor
All funding must be consistent with the program’s objective and must be documented and listed on your DS-2019.
Note: Funding from a government agency may subject the Short-Term Scholar to the two-year home country residency requirement (INA 212(e)).
Research Scholar
What is the Research Scholar category and who is it designed for?
The Research Scholar category is intended for individuals who come to the U.S. to conduct research and collaborate with a U.S. institution with a research focus, such as a university, museum, library, hospital, or corporate research facility. While their primary purpose is to conduct research, observe, or consult in connection with a research project, they may also teach or lecture as approved by the sponsor.
The Research Scholar category is commonly used for:
Postdoctoral researchers
Visiting research faculty
Scholars collaborating on funded research projects
Researchers placed at corporate or private-sector research facilities engaged in bona fide research activities
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.4(f) Research Scholar
What are the eligibility requirements for Research Scholar (education, purpose, activities)?
A Research Scholar must have a background suitable for the program’s objectives. This will typically mean that a Research Scholar will hold a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, and an advanced degree may be required depending upon the program objectives.
In addition to appropriate education, a Research Scholar must possess sufficient English language proficiency to effectively work with U.S. colleagues in their research field and to successfully function in U.S. society on a day-to-day basis.
The main purpose and activity of a Research Scholar must be focused on research in their field of expertise, but they are also permitted to teach and lecture if that is an activity that is consistent with their program objectives and approved by the sponsor.
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.10(a) Selection of Exchange Visitors; 9 FAM 402.5-6(e)(8) Research Scholar
What is the maximum duration of stay for a Research Scholar?
The maximum duration of stay in the U.S. in the Research Scholar category is 5 years, including time spent at multiple institutions in this category. The minimum duration is 3 weeks.
The five-year period begins on the first date listed on the DS-2019 and runs continuously. It does not pause or reset if the scholar temporarily leaves the U.S.
Important exceptions:
Certain government programs are exempt from the three-week minimum requirement
G-7 programs (those directly sponsored by a Federally Funded National Research and Development Center or a U.S. Federal Laboratory) may request an extension beyond the five-year limit
For all other programs, minimum and maximum durations are firm and cannot be extended.
Note: Once you complete your program or reach the five-year limit, you are subject to a 24-month bar on repeat participation as a Research Scholar or Professor (see Section 16: “Bars to Re-entry & Repeat Participation”).
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.20(i) Duration of Participation; 22 CFR 62.8(b) Minimum Duration of Program
What funding options are available for Research Scholars?
Funding for a Research Scholar may come from:
Personal funds
Host institution
Home-country institution
Home-country government
U.S. government
Third-party sponsor
All funding must be consistent with the program’s objective and must be documented and listed on your DS-2019.
Note: Funding from a government agency may subject the Research Scholar to the two-year home country residency requirement (INA 212(e)).
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.9(e) Financial Responsibility
Professor
What is the Professor category and who qualifies?
The Professor category is for individuals who come to the United States to teach or lecture at accredited post-secondary academic institutions, museums, libraries, or similar institutions.
To qualify, you must be selected by a sponsoring institution based on your expertise and appropriate credentials in your field. While teaching or lecturing must be the primary objective for the Professor category, you may also engage in limited research, observation, or consultation as secondary activities, provided these are approved by your sponsor and align with the program objectives outlined in Form DS-2019. If research is the primary purpose rather than teaching, you should be classified under the Research Scholar category instead.
The Professor category is commonly used for:
Visiting professors
Guest faculty teaching courses or seminars
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.4(e) Professor
What distinguishes a Professor from a Research Scholar for J-1 purposes?
The distinction is based on the primary activity:
A Professor’s primary activity is teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at an accredited university or similar institution.
A Research Scholar's primary activity is conducting research, observing, or consulting on a research project.
Both categories allow for some crossover activities (e.g., a Research Scholar may teach occasionally, or a Professor may conduct limited research), provided these activities are approved by the sponsor and align with the program objectives.
Note: Job titles alone do not determine the category.
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.4(e)-(f) Professor and Research Scholar
What teaching and research activities are permitted under the Professor category?
Since teaching is the primary purpose of the Professor category, all teaching activities are appropriate, provided they are conducted at the sponsoring organization or an approved additional site of activity listed on the DS-2019. Limited research activities are permitted provided they align with the program’s objectives and are approved by the sponsor ahead of time.
Note: The J-1 Professor category is not appropriate for a tenure-track position.
What is the maximum duration of stay for a Professor?
The maximum duration of stay in the U.S. in the Professor category is 5 years, including time spent at multiple institutions in this category. The minimum duration is 3 weeks.
The five-year period begins on the first date listed on the DS-2019 and runs continuously. It does not pause or reset if the scholar temporarily leaves the U.S.
Important exceptions:
Certain government programs are exempt from the three-week minimum requirement
G-7 programs (those directly sponsored by a Federally Funded National Research and Development Center or a U.S. Federal Laboratory) may request an extension beyond the five-year limit
For all other programs, minimum and maximum durations are firm and cannot be extended.
Note: Once you complete the program or reach the five-year limit, you are subject to a 24-month bar on repeat participation as a Research Scholar or Professor (see Section 16: “Bars to Re-entry & Repeat Participation”).
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.20(i) Duration of Participation; 22 CFR 62.8(b); Minimum Duration of Program
Must Professors have a terminal degree in their field?
No. Federal regulations do not specify exact degree requirements for the Professor category. Professors must have academic credentials appropriate for their program, as determined by the sponsoring institution's policies.
In most cases, this means a graduate degree is required, but not necessarily a terminal degree. The specific educational requirements depend on the sponsoring institution’s internal teaching policies and the nature of the position.
Specialist
What is the Specialist category and what types of specialists does it cover?
The Specialist category is for experts with specialized knowledge or skills coming to the U.S. to observe, consult, or demonstrate techniques.
It may include:
Technical experts
Subject-matter specialists
Professionals providing unique expertise
This category serves as a catch-all for individuals with specialized expertise who do not fit into the other J-1 categories: Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar, or international physicians in graduate medical education. The regulations specifically identify the following areas as examples of the type of specialty intended by the rules: “mass media communication, environmental science, youth leadership, international educational exchange, museum exhibitions, labor law, public administration, and library science.” 22 CFR 62.26(b)
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.26 Specialists; BridgeUSA J-1 Specialist
What are the eligibility requirements for a Specialist?
A Specialist must be an expert in a particular knowledge or skill, which is not further defined by the regulations. The education and experience needed depends upon the specialized field of knowledge and the typical requirements for that field. The Specialist must not come to the U.S. to fill a permanent or long-term position of employment.
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.26(d) Visitor Eligibility
What is the maximum duration and what activities are permitted for Specialists?
The maximum duration is 1 year.
Permitted activities include:
Observation
Consultation
Demonstration of specialized skills
What funding options are available for Specialists?
Funding for a Specialist may come from:
Personal funds
Host institution
Home-country institution
Home-country government
U.S. government
Third-party sponsor
All funding must be consistent with the program’s objective and must be documented and listed on your DS-2019.
Note: Funding from a government agency may subject the Specialist to the two-year home country residency requirement (INA 212(e)).
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.9(e) Financial Responsibility
Student Intern
What is the Student Intern category?
The Student Intern category is intended for students enrolled in a degree program at an accredited foreign institution who wish to participate in a U.S.-based internship that fulfills their degree program's educational objectives.
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.23(i) Student Intern
Who is eligible for Student Intern status (current students vs. recent graduates)?
Eligibility is limited to current students. Recent graduates are not eligible for this category. In addition, a Student Intern must:
Be currently enrolled in a degree program at an institution outside the U.S.
Come to the U.S. primarily to participate in an internship (not to fill an employer's workforce needs)
Be accepted into an internship program listed on their Form DS-2019
Demonstrate English language proficiency through a sponsor-conducted interview, recognized English test, or documentation from their academic institution
Return to their home country to complete their degree program after the internship ends
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.23(i)(1) Criteria
What is the maximum duration of a Student Intern program?
The maximum duration of stay for the Student Intern category is 12 months for each degree level. Extensions beyond 12 months are not possible.
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.23(h)(3) Duration of Participation Student Intern
What types of internship activities are permitted under Student Intern status?
General Requirements:
Must fulfill educational objectives of the intern’s current degree program
Must expose the intern to U.S. techniques, methodologies, and technology
Cannot simply duplicate the intern’s previous experience
Can be paid or unpaid (paid positions require approval from both the home institution and U.S. sponsor)
Prohibited Activities: Student interns cannot be placed in positions involving:
Unskilled or casual labor
Childcare or elder care
Aviation
Clinical work or patient care (e.g., nursing, physical therapy, counseling, dentistry, veterinary medicine, social work, speech therapy, early childhood education)
Activities that could bring the Exchange Visitor Program or Department into disrepute
Staffing/employment agency arrangements
Additional Restrictions:
Maximum 20% clerical work
All tasks must be necessary for completing the internship program
Hospitality and Tourism programs of 6+ months must include at least three departmental or functional rotations
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.23(i) Student Intern
How does Student Intern differ from the Intern/Trainee category?
These categories differ primarily by educational status and program purpose:
A Student Intern must be currently enrolled in a foreign degree program and participate in an internship that fulfills their degree requirements.
An Intern/Trainee may be either a current student or a recent graduate within 12 months of graduation participating in work-based learning for career development, or an established professional with prior work experience seeking to enhance their occupational skills. See Section 2.6: “Intern/Trainee” below for more details.
Reference(s)/Resource(s): 22 CFR 62.22 - 23 Trainees and Interns
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