Choosing the Correct Visa
If you are not sure that the J visa is suitable for your scholar, ask the following questions. If you answer “yes” to these questions, it is likely you may need to look into other visa options for your scholar or contact a specialist at ISSS for assistance.
- Will this person be employed in a tenure-track or permanent position?
- Is this person expected to be here permanently?
- Does this person intend to apply for an H-1B or Permanent Residence?
- Is this person already in the U.S. in another visa status (i.e. F-1 Student, or H-1B Employee, or TN)?
- Will this person’s primary reason for coming to the U.S. be to study or seek a degree in an academic program, and the program is NOT an exchange program?
- Has this person ended or completed a J program in the U.S. within the last 24 months?
You may want to take a look at the “Choosing the Right J Category” chart to see if your visitor fits any of the common scenarios. If you are still unsure about which visa is appropriate, you may contact a scholar advisor at ISSS.
Quick Links
- J-1 Submission Checklist (pdf)
- Exchange Visitor Information Form (pdf)
- Choosing the Right J-Category (pdf)
- J-1 Travel Checklist (pdf)