Overview | Center for International Education | SIU

In order to invite a J-1 exchange visitor, the SIU faculty member must fill out the J-1 Exchange Visitor Request Packet and the J-1 Exchange Visitor Agreement with all required supporting documents and submit it to jvisas@siu.edu along with the required documents.

After all of the documents are received the ISS staff will issue the immigration form DS-2019 to the faculty/host department. Unfortunately, the Department of State’s rules mandate that the DS-2019 document cannot be scanned and emailed. Therefore the document must be picked up from our office and shipped to the visitor so that a visa appointment can be made.

When filling out the required form, the following should be taken into consideration:

1. Program start and end dates are important because they have many ramifications.

• EVs have 30 days BEFORE the program start date in which to arrive and settle in
• EVs have 30 days AFTER the program end date to exit the country
• Dates given will be the days you actually expect the EV to be at the site working with you
• These dates can impact future participation in the J-1 EV Program as well as program extensions

2. Selecting the category and understanding the bars on participation are important in deciding when to bring an EV.

Exchange Visitor (J-1 visa) Category Definitions 

A “Short-Term Scholar” is defined as a professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the U.S. on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, collaborative research, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institution. This category should be chosen if the EV’s program will be shorter than 6 months, extensions past 6 months are not possible.

A “Professor” is defined as an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing or consulting and may also conduct research. Select if EV’s program will be longer than 6 months, and “Professor” applies. Extensions are possible but the program cannot exceed 5 years.

A “Research Scholar” is defined as an individual primarily conducting research observing, or consulting in connection with a research project and may also teach or lecture. Select if EV’s program will be longer than 6 months and “Research Scholar” applies. Extensions are possible but the program cannot exceed 5 years.

 12 & 24 Month Bar on Repeat Participation Definitions

In order to prevent the abuse of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the DoS has “Bars on Participation” in place. The following bars should be taken into consideration when inviting an EV, as they will affect any anticipated future participation in the J-1 EV program.

12 month bar:  An individual cannot have participated in a J program (as J-1 or J-2) for any of the 12 month period immediately preceding the new start date being requested, unless s/he is transferring to SIU’s program, prior physical presence in J status in the US was less than 6 months (except as a Research Scholar/Professor), or was a Short-Term Scholar.

24 month bar:  An individual cannot have participated in a J program as a J-1 or J-2 Research Scholar or Professor within the 24 months preceding the start date of the new J-1 Research Scholar or Professor Program.  Individual will be ineligible to participate as a J-1 Research Scholar or Professor for two years following the end date of the program unless s/he is transferring to SIU’s program, or was a Short-Term Scholar.

Steps to Invite a Scholar