The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, is carried out pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. Its purpose is to enhance understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.
The J visa is a nonimmigrant visa, which means that the U.S. Department of State expects that exchange visitors will return to their home countries when they complete their J-1 programs. J-1 exchange visitors must demonstrate this intent at the time of their visa interview. For the purpose and length of the scholar's visit at UCSF, please see J-1 Categories at UCSF.
J-1 Eligibility
To invite an international candidate on a J-1 visa, the Department HR liaison or Administrator must work with their Academic HR generalist to prepare the appropriate documents. To initiate the process, your HR Generalist will:
- Verify Eligibility for Academic Appointment: Verify that the exchange visitor is eligible, qualified, and selected to participate in the UCSF academic appointment. J-1 scholars must hold an academic appointment at 100% full-time to be sponsored on a J-1 visa.
- Confirm Non-Tenure Track Position: J-1 scholars must have nonimmigrant intent. Therefore, exchange visitors on the J-1 program are not eligible for tenure track/career positions.
- Verify English Proficiency: The department must verify that the exchange visitor possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in his or her program. See Certification of English Language Proficiency Form.
- Verify Sufficient Funding: Verify that the scholar has adequate financial resources to complete his or her program, and to support any accompanying dependents. See J-1 Minimum Financial Support Requirements.
- Confirm the Department/Scholar Are Aware of J-1 and J-2 Dependent Insurance Requirements.
After the academic appointment is approved, your HR Academic Generalist will submit an electronic visa request to ISSO. The visa request is the final step of the process.
If you are uncertain if your visa request has been submitted to iSSO, be sure to check in with your Academic HR generalist or Department HR Liaison/Administrator.