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Overview | J-1 Visiting Scholar Exchange Program for Scholars

Overview of Process, Timeline and Costs for a New and Transfer J-1 Scholar

Unit Submits Request
HR business partner prepares and submits request to ISSS at least 2-3 months in advance of proposed start date for someone outside the U.S. and at least 1 month in advance for a j-1 transfer.
Timelines:
HR/Business Partners:
1-3 weeks
Cost: None
ISSS Reviews Request
ISSS reviews the department request, and if approved, asks prospective scholar to complete their questionnaire.
Timelines:
ISSS:
10 business days after receiving a complete request
Scholar:
1-3 weeks
Cost: None
ISSS Issues Form DS-2019
ISSS reviews the completed request alongside the questionnaire and issues a Form DS-2019. This form is emailed to the prospective scholar.
Timelines:
ISSS:
10 business days after receiving a complete request


Cost: None
Scholar Applies for Visa
The scholar submits their visa application and and schedules their interview

(J transfers, Canadian & Bermudan citizens exempt from visa)
Timelines:
Consulate:
Varies greatly*
(Visa Appointment Wait Times)
 Costs: $220 SEVIS fee paid by scholar or hiring unit (J transfers exempt)
$185 machine-readable visa fee paid by the scholar or hiring unit if the scholar is coming from outside the U.S.
Scholar Arranges Travel & Arrives
The scholar makes their travel arrangements and arrives at the university
Timelines:
Scholar:
Varies
Cost: travel paid by scholar or hiring unit

 

J-1 Category

J-1 Activity

J-1 Length of stay*

Research Scholar

research, observe, or consult and the possibility to teach or lecture (can include MDs with no patient contact/care)

3 weeks to 5 years

Professor

teach, lecture, observe, or consult and the possibility to research

(can include MDs with no patient contact/care)

3 weeks to 5 years

Short-term Scholar

lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills (can include MDs with no patient contact/care)

Up to 6 months with no extensions

Specialist

observe, consult, or demonstrate special knowledge or skills

3 weeks to 1 year

Student Intern

Undergraduate research or training

3 weeks to 1 year

Alien physician

(administered by GME, not ISSS)

ECFMG Alien Physicians

Medical residency or fellowship

Up to 7 years

* J-1 lengths of stay do not replace university policy on appointment time limits. See below:

  • Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Posting Guidance for Visiting Faculty Appointments
    • Maximum appointment of 9 months (Denver) or one year (Anschutz)and where conversion to a regular appointment is not expected.
    • When visiting positions are posted, appointment is limited to 2 academic years (Denver) and 2 years (Anschutz).
  • Policy for Research Postdoctoral Fellows-Trainees
    • Maximum of five years of postdoctoral experience
    • Petition the dean of the school/college in which the faculty member has their primary appointment for an extension


The university uses the J-1 categories for postdoctoral appointments, paid visiting appointments, and unpaid visiting invitations.

  • Tenured Positions: J-1 Exchange Visitors may not hold tenured or tenure-eligible faculty positions.
  • Patient Contact and Care: Only J-1 Exchange Visitors in the alien physician category who are formally enrolled in a Graduate Medical Education program and sponsored by the Education Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) can have direct patient contact or patient care responsibilities. J-1 scholars in other categories may not touch any patient or provide patient care. Failure to comply risks the J-1 scholar’s status and the University’s authority to sponsor the J-1 program.
  • Bars to Repeat Participation
  • In-Person Requirement
  • Minimum Financial Support and Cost of Living
  • English Language Proficiency
  • Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement

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