To obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa, prospective professors and researchers must first receive an invitation from an academic department, lab, or research institute. Based on your program objectives, you will be placed in one of the following J-1 Exchange Visitor categories.
J-1 Categories
The J-1 Exchange Visitor status includes several categories. Each of these categories has its own set of responsibilities and benefits, and it is important that you understand these. There are three possible J-1 categories under which a visitor might come to the University. Each category has its own regulations and limitations.
J-1 Research Scholar
An individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project is also allowed to teach or lecture. Details about the Research Scholar category:
- is used for UC Santa Cruz appointments of 3 weeks to 5 years in duration
- program length not to exceed 5 years
- individual who participates in this category become subject to the 24-month bar on repeat participation after completing his/her program
- individual may be subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
J-1 Professor
An individual concerned primarily with teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting is allowed to conduct research. Details about the Professor category:
- is used for UC Santa Cruz appointments of 3 weeks to 5 years in duration
- program length not to exceed 5 years
- individual who participates in this category becomes subject to the 24-month bar on repeat participation after completing his/her program
- individual may be subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
J-1 Short-Term Scholars
A professor, research scholar, specialist, or person with similar education or accomplishment coming to the U.S. for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills. Details about the Short-Term Scholar category:
- appropriate for appointments from one day to six months in length
- program cannot be extended beyond six months
- not subject to the 12 or 24-month bar on repeat participation
- individual may be subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement
J-1 Student Intern
The J-1 Student Intern category is available to departments hosting an overseas student who is currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited institution outside the United States. This category also covers participants in UCSC’s International Student Research Program (ISRP), a structured research internship initiative for degree-seeking international students hosted by UCSC under the Student Intern category.
The Student Intern program supports structured, supervised research- or project-based internships that are directly connected to the student’s academic program at their home institution. Student interns may participate in the program for up to 12 months for each degree, which includes graduate-level students. Undergraduate and graduate level students are processed under the Student Intern category unless IFSS indicates otherwise.
Changing J EV Categories
Changing J categories within the U.S. is usually not permitted. The procedure to change categories is complicated, time-consuming, and must be approved by the Department of State. A change of category may be possible by departing the U.S., obtaining a new DS-2019 and re-entering in the new category. An exception can be made to alternate between the Professor and Research Scholar category. Please consult with an International Scholar Advisor if you are considering changing your program objective.