Sponsoring a J-1 Scholar

Departments may sponsor qualifying international scholars to visit the U.S. in J-1 status to engage in research and/or teaching that requires their background. Departments must undertake the below steps before the ISO will issue Form DS-2019. Form DS-2019 supports an international scholar's application for a J-1 visa stamp abroad, or application to change to J-1 status.

A scholar visiting the U.S. in J-1 status may seek employment only under the terms of his or her status and only with the ISO's permission. The status is, by nature, temporary, and is not appropriate for any scholar who the department may wish to employ in the long term. UVA may grant a J-1 scholar up to 5 years of status (often in 1-year increments).

In addition to complying with the terms of J-1 status, the scholar must have completed (or almost completed) an advanced degree in the field or have extensive professional (usually scholarly) experience in the field.

Steps 1 through 3 should be completed as early as possible and no less than 60 days before the planned program start date.

Step 1.

A designated faculty host (usually the scholar's future supervisor) drafts a well-defined research and/or teaching agenda. He or she also determines the start date and duration of the scholar's visit and funding associated with the scholar's stay.

Please note that funding amounts increase each year for new scholars whose start date begins on or after January 1. Required funding amounts may be found here. Additional funding may be required per UVA standards if the majority of the funds are "salaried" (e.g. stipends, scholarships and/or fellowships). In the alternative, a J-1 scholar may be "self-funded" in which case his or her funds may mostly derive from a home country, home institution and/or personal/family savings.

J-1 scholar's must also maintain health insurance coverage. Coverage provided to scholars by UVA meets the minimum health insurance standards. J-1 scholars not provided coverage by UVA must, as a condition of status, maintain adequate health insurance. Dependents of a J-1 scholar residing in the U.S. in J-2 status must also hold health insurance that meets at least meets the minimum requirements. A J-1 scholar not covered by any UVA health insurance must work with the ISO prior to arrival to obtain adequate U.S. health insurance.

Step 2.

The department administrator arranges for an official invitation for the candidate to visit UVA for a period of no more than three years as a J-1 scholar. Specific appointment and/or invitation procedures vary by department.

Step 3.

The department administrator completes the J-1 sponsor form and submits it (with all attachments) to the dean's office which forwards the package to the ISO. Applications for sponsorship of alien physicians coming to the School of Medicine in non-clinical positions will be required to include the Incidental Patient Contact Form. Note that appointment dates which cover a period of 6 months or less may result in the scholar being categorized as "Short-Term" with no possibility for extension beyond 6 months.

Also, scholars with periods requested for longer than 6 months will be categorized as "Research Scholar" or "Professor" and are eligible to have their J-1 status extended up to 5 years. But no matter how long the scholar actually spends in either of those two categories, a bar will be imposed which will not allow them to return in either of those categories for 2 years.

Step 4.

The dean's office reviews the J-1 sponsor form for compliance with UVA policy and forwards it, with attachments, to the ISO.

Step 5.

Following review of the J-1 sponsor form and its attachments, the ISO certifies the scholar for the U.S. Department of State Visitor Program and issues Form DS-2019 through the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor System (SEVIS).

Step 6.

The ISO provides the host department with Form DS-2019 and instuctional/informational materials to forward to the scholar by an international courier such as Federal Express, DHL or UPS.

Step 7.

The scholar receives the package from his or her host department and applies for a J-1 visa at the U.S. consulate abroad. (In rare instances, a scholar may choose to change to J-1 status in the U.S.)

Step 8.

The scholar arrives at UVA to begin the J-1 program and attends an orientation session within 30 days of the start date on the DS-2019 (scheduled every Monday and Wednesday at 10:00 am, Room 209 Minor Hall).