Prospective professors and researchers must be invited by an academic department, lab, or institute that will serve as your host. Depending 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 program is a structured, full-time internship opportunity for foreign students who are currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at a post-secondary institution abroad and who are invited to do an internship on campus with a UCSC faculty supervisor. The internship must fulfill the educational objectives of the student’s degree program at their current institution abroad. Student interns may participate in a student internship program for up to 12 months for each foreign degree/major. Wages or other compensation is optional, however, student interns must meet the minimum J-1 Exchange Visitor financial requirements.
Students are responsible for finding their own internships or research opportunities (IFSS is not a placement agency). The internship must consist of work-based learning, rather than ordinary employment or unskilled labor. The internship cannot serve to fill a labor need, nor displace American workers.
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.