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J-1 Staff & Faculty

EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM INFORMATION

The United States Department of State (DOS) administers the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP), which implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (the Fulbright-Hays Act). This act promotes “mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges”. The EVP provides foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in exchange programs in the United States and then return home to share their experiences. Vanderbilt University, as a designated sponsor of an EVP, offers such opportunities.

Vanderbilt EVP offers programs as short as a seminar presentation to no more than 6 months for its Short-Term Scholars and no more than 5 years for its Professors or Research Scholars. The Exchange Visitors (EVs) are then expected to return to their home country to fulfill the objectives of the aforementioned Act. Some EVs will be subject to a two year home residency requirement (Section 212.e) that, unless fulfilled or waived, will bar them from obtaining H-1B status or permanent residency, among other lawful means of remaining and working in the US.

EVs are J-1 non-immigrant visa holders who pursue a specific program objective at academic institutions in the U.S., as designated by the United States Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) and DOS.  At Vanderbilt, J-1 scholars are categorized as research scholars, professors, short-term scholars, or specialists.  International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) staff members are DOS – designated Responsible Officer (RO) & Alternate ROs (ARO) at Vanderbilt.

Additional J-1 Exchange Visitor Information

EXCHANGE VISITOR APPLICATION

This application should be submitted to ISSS in application for a new EV to come to Vanderbilt, for a transfer, or an extension of stay for an existing EV. Transfers include those who are currently at other EVPs and those wishing to change departments within Vanderbilt.

The requesting department should ensure that the Part A and B fors are both completed and the necessary signatures are obtained before submitting the forms to ISSS.

If the EV will be sponsored wholly or in part by non-Vanderbilt funds, a copy of the appointment letter and proof of financial support must be attached.

Incomplete or illegible forms will be returned to the department via campus mail.

If the scholar is eligible, ISSS will prepare a Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019) for the requesting department to mail to the scholar, along with the additional information provided by ISSS. The scholar will then take the DS-2019 to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a J-1 visa and will enter the US in J-1 status.

Information regarding H-1B and other employment related visa categories should be directed to Human Resources’ Office of International Services.

Special Immigration Requirements of the J-1 Visa include:

EXCHANGE VISITOR CATEGORIES

  • Comparison Chart of work-related visas
  • Research Scholar – Engage primarily in research activities for a maximum of 5 years
  • Professor – Engage primarily in teaching that is not tenure-track for a maximum of 5 years
  • Short-Term Scholar – Engage in research, teaching, observing, or consulting activities for a maximum of 6 months
  • Specialist – Engage in consulting, observing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills in which scholar is an expert for a maximum of 1 year

OCCASIONAL LECTURE & CONSULTATION ACTIVITY

Exchange Visitors may participate in occational lecture and consulation activity if authorized to do so in advance and in writing by the RO or ARO at ISSS.

Procedues for approval for an occasional lecture or consulation activity are as follows:

  • A letter from the offeror setting forth the terms and condition of the offer to lecutre or consult which includes the duration, number of hours, field or subject, amount of compensation, and description of such activity; and
  • A letter from his/her department head or supervisor recommending such activity and explaining how it would enhance the exchange visitor’s program and not interrupt the exchange visitor’s original objective.
  • These two letters must be given to ISSS for authorization.

 

MANDATORY ORIENTATION

  • Schedule
  • Outline
    • How to Maintain Legal J-1 Status
    • Grace Periods
    • Employment
    • Special Features of J-1 Visa
    • 212(e) Requirement
    • J-2 Dependents
    • Adjusting to Life in Nashville

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