Required Funding for International Scholars

The U.S. Government expects the University to verify that the scholar has sufficient funding to maintain a minimal decent standard of living before issuing a J-1 visa document (Form DS-12019). The financial minimum for a non-medical area appointment is $30,000 per year for a single scholar, with an additional $5,000 for each accompanying family member. Be sure to list the source(s) of funding accurately, since it may be used to determine whether the scholar is subject to a two-year home residence requirement.

NOTE: The Medical Area usually follows guidelines that are higher and closer to the NIH first year postdoctoral level.

H-1B visa funding requirements are completely different from the J-1 visa. Harvard, or an affiliated hospital, must pay a salary that meets either the prevailing or actual wage, whichever is higher. For either visa category, do not indicate funding that is not guaranteed when entering information in eScholar.