J Scholar Visa
An Overview of the J -1 Exchange Visitor Program
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program allows academic institutions and other educational exchange programs to sponsor foreign nationals to participate in educational and cultural programs in the United States. Harvard University has been approved by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to serve as the visa sponsor for international visitors to participate in research, teaching and degree programs at Harvard and its affiliates. The J-1 visa program is managed by a shared database called SEVIS.
Eligibility for J-1 Visa Sponsorship by Harvard
To be eligible for the J-1 visa an individual must meet the following criteria:
must have a temporary academic appointment at Harvard University such as a postdoctoral/research fellow, or a faculty member.
must have adequate financial support for all living expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family members either from Harvard or any other sources.
must maintain health insurance which covers for sicknesses or accidents during the period of time when they are in J status. Failure to maintain health insurance coverage may jeopardize a J visa holder's status.
Categories of J-1 Visa at Harvard
J-1 Research Scholar/Professor
J-1 visa holders in the Research Scholar or Professor category may remain in the United States for up to five years on the J-1 visa. There are some restrictions to this category. Individuals who have been in the United States as J-1 visa holders in any category for more than 6 months are not eligible for the Research Scholar or Professor category unless they have been outside the United States for the previous 12 months. Research scholars and/or professors who complete their J-1 programs and leave the United States are not eligible to return as J-1 visa holders in the Research Scholar or Professor Category for 24 months.
Paid employment for J-1 research scholars or professors is permitted only if it is described on the Form DS-2019 issued to the J-1 visa holder. In most cases, it is not possible for a J-1 visa holder to accept paid employment outside of Harvard. However, there are occasional exceptions. Please consult the HIO for more information regarding the possibility of employment outside of Harvard.
J-1 Short Term Scholar
J-1 short term scholars engaged in research and/or teaching may remain in the United States for up to six months. No extensions are permitted beyond six months. Short-term scholars do not always have a formal affiliation with the University. Access to University facilities may be limited. Check with the hosting department for details. Paid employment for J-1 short-term scholars is permitted only if it is described on the Form DS-2019 issued to the J-1 visa holder.
J-1 Specialist
A J-1 specialist is an individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to the United States for observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills. J-1 visa holders in the Specialists category may stay for the length of time necessary to complete their program, not to exceed one year. Extensions beyond the 1-year program are not permitted.
Paid employment for J-1 Specialists is permitted only if it is described on the Form DS-2019 issued to the J-1 visa holder. In most cases, it is not possible for a J-1 visa holder to accept paid employment outside of Harvard. However, there are occasional exceptions. Please consult the HIO for more information regarding the possibility of employment outside of Harvard.
J-1 Student Intern
J-1 Student Interns are defined as students currently enrolled and pursuing a degree in accredited post-secondary academic institutions outside the United States. They must be participating in an internship program in the United States that will fulfill the educational objectives of their current degree programs at their home institutions, and they must return to their home institutions upon completion of the internship. They must verify that they have English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment. They may participate in student internship programs for up to 12 months using the J-1 visa. They must comply with the requirement of having health insurance while participating in the J program. Paid employment is permitted only if it is described on the Form DS-2019 issued to the J-1 visa holder.