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Professors and Research Scholars

Purpose:  Foster the exchange of ideas between Americans and foreign nationals, as well as international collaborative teaching, lecturing and research efforts.

Duration:  Initial maximum validity of three years with the ability to extend to a total validity of five years.

Criteria:  No tenure-track candidates or alien physicians in graduate and medical training. Cannot have been physically present in the United States in J-1 status within a year prior to the start of the program. After program completion, not eligible for “repeat participation” in another professor/research scholar program for a period of two years after the end date of that program.

Short-term Scholars

Purpose:  Promote exchange of knowledge and skills through lecturing, observing, consulting, participating in seminars, workshops, conferences, study tours, professional meetings, or similar types of educational and professional endeavors.

Duration:  Initial maximum validity of four months with the ability to extend to a total validity of six months.

 

Trainees and Interns

Purpose:  Enhance the skills and expertise of applicants in their academic or occupational field, through participation in structured work-based training and internship programs, and to improve participants’ knowledge of American techniques, methodologies, and expertise.

Criteria:  Unskilled labor is not permitted.

 

TraineesCriteria:  Hold a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution, and have at least one year of prior related non-U.S. work experience in the occupational field, or five years of non-U.S. work experience in their occupational field.

Duration:  Maximum validity of 18 months.

InternsCriteria:  Currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree-or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States, or graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to program start date.

Duration:  Maximum validity of 12 months.

 

College and university students

Purpose:  Provide foreign educational opportunities at degree-granting post-secondary accredited academic institution or student internship programs which fulfill the student’s academic study.

Duration:  Length of time for undergraduates and pre-doctoral students is no more than 18 months or the period of full course of study, whichever is less. For postdoctoral students length of time is no more than 36 months or the period of full course of study, whichever is less.

Students must have financial backing and agreement between their respective governments/institutions and American institutions and/or governments. The focus is more on studying than academic training, but there are procedures for including academic training (e.g, an internship). Must maintain a full course of study with exceptions of: (1) vacation, (2) medical illness, (3) bona fide academic reason, (4) non-degree program, (5) academic training, or (6) final term.

This information is intended for clients of Jackson & Hertogs only. This is not intended to provide legal advice to non-clients of this firm. Nor will we respond to inquiries from non-clients. You should seek your own legal counsel in these matters.