Questionnaire Instructions for Foreign Scholars
US Visa: A US visa is issued and stamped on the page of a passport by a US Consular Officer. The issuance of the visa indicates that the holder is qualified to apply for admission to the US in a particular immigration classification.
Passport: US immigration law requires that all non-immigrants have a valid machine-readable passport to enter and remain in the US.
J-1 Exchange Visitor: The Exchange Visitor Program seeks to promote mutual understanding between the people of the US and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. Through the Exchange Visitor Program professors and researcher scholars may visit the US temporarily to teach, lecture, and conduct research. Based on the information submitted through the on-boarding process, UpdateMe, the Institute, an Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor, will prepare and send you a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (also known as a DS-2019). The DS-2019 provides information about the program, the Exchange Visitor, the academic objective to be pursued, and the source and amount of the Exchange Visitor’s funding. A DS-2019 must be presented to the US Consular Officer at the time of application for a J-1 visa. Complete application instructions will accompany your DS-2019.
J-1 Exchange Visitor - Canadian Citizens: Canadian citizens may apply to enter the US in J-1 status at a US port of entry with a DS-2019. It is not necessary for Canadian citizens to apply for a J-1 visa at a US Consulate.
J-2 Dependents of J-1 Exchange Visitors: A J-1 Exchange Visitor’s spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) are eligible to apply for J-2 status. The Institute will issue a DS-2019 for each eligible family member. A DS-2019 must be presented to the US Consular Officer at the time of application for a J-2 visa. Other family members such as parents, companions, married children, and children over the age of 21 are not eligible for J-2 status but may apply independently for a B-2 Tourist visa or travel under the Visa Waiver Program.
J-1 Exchange Visitors (Professors or Research Scholars) Currently in the US: If you are now in the US as a J-1 Exchange Visitor, it will be necessary for you to transfer to the Institute’s program. Please contact your university’s international student/scholars office regarding the transfer process. Upon the effective transfer date, you will be issued a new Institute sponsored DS-2019.
Bar on Participation For Previous Exchange Visitors: US government regulations bar an individual from participating in an Exchange Visitor Program as a Professor or Research Scholar if that person was physically present in the US as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in any category except Short-term Scholar for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the starting date of the new Exchange Visitor Program. The 12-month bar does not apply to an Exchange Visitor who is transferring directly from another institution’s program.
Additionally, more recent US government regulations bar an individual from participating in an Exchange Visitor Program in the Professor or Research Scholar category if that person was physically present in the US as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in the Professor or Research Scholar category for all or part of the 24-month period immediately preceding the starting date of the new Exchange Visitor Program.
The 12 and 24-month bars also apply to the J-2 dependents of the J-1 Exchange Visitor.
J-1 Exchange Visitors (Students) Currently in the US: Individuals currently in J-1 Student status may be eligible for up to 36 months of Academic Training in their current J-1 status while at the Institute. Initial application should be made through your university’s international student/scholars office.
F-1 Students Currently in the US: Individuals currently in F-1 Student status may be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training in their current F-1 status while at the Institute. Initial application should be made through your university’s international student office. An additional 24 months may also be available through a STEM extension of Optional Practical Training. Please consulate with your university’s international student office to learn more.
B-1/B-2 Visa and the Visa Waiver Program*: The B-1 visa is for a visitor coming to the US for business purposes, and the B-2 visa is for tourism. B-1/B-2 visits may last no longer than 180 days. Citizens of certain counties are eligible to visit the US for business or tourism under the Visa Waiver Program and do not need to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa. Visa Waiver visits may last no longer than 90 days. The B visa or Visa Waiver is not intended for use by a scholar accepting an academic appointment for a term or longer. Business visitors are prohibited from being paid any form of salary, wage, stipend, or grant but may generally accept reimbursement for expenses and, in some instances, an honorarium payment.
As of January 12, 2009, all Visa Waiver visitors are required to obtain pre-clearance authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel. It is recommended that travelers apply as soon as they begin preparing travel plans or prior to purchasing airline tickets.
* Foreign nationals in the following categories are restricted from traveling to the United States under the Visa Wavier Program:
- Nationals of Visa Wavier Program countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria or Yemen since March 1, 2011.
- Dual nationals of a Visa Wavier Program member country and Iran, Iraq, Sudan or Syria.
Individuals subject to Visa Wavier Program travel restrictions must obtain a B-1/B-2 visa from a U.S. consulate to visit the United States for business or tourism, with very limited exceptions.
Please remember that it is the responsibility of the visiting foreign scholar to maintain a valid and continuous immigration status with USCIS.
Any questions, please contact: Jennifer Hansen (hansen@ias.edu or 609-734-8206).