Characteristics of the J-1 visa for Short-Term Scholars:

A Short-Term Scholar is defined as a professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments who is coming to the U.S. on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, and libraries. The Short-Term Scholar category is similar to the research category of the J-1 visa as listed above, with the following exceptions:

1. A University academic appointment is not required for visitors who have a stay of less than 3 months, except for those coming to the Harvard affiliated hospitals. All scholars at Harvard affiliated hospitals for whom the HIO provides visa sponsorship must have a Harvard Medical School (HMS) appointment regardless of length of stay. In some cases visitors may not qualify for an HMS appointment.
   
   
2. The total time in the U.S. on the Short-Term Scholar visa may not exceed six months. Applications for change of visa status, transfers to other institutions, or requests for extensions beyond six months are not permitted by the Government.