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J-1 Scholar and Student Intern | HR Business Partners & Hiring Units

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

     
Unit Submits Request
 
HR business partner prepares and submits request including export control to ISSS 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.
Timeline:
HR Business Partner:
1-3 weeks
Cost: None

ISSS Issues
Form DS-2019

If the request is complete, ISSS reviews it alongside questionnaire and issues a Form DS-2019. This form is emailed to the prospective scholar or student intern.
Timeline:
ISSS:
10 business days after receiving a complete request
Cost: None
Scholar or Student Intern Applies for Visa
The scholar or student intern submits their visa application and and schedules their interview

(J transfers, Canadian & Bermudan citizens exempt from visa)
Timeline:
Consulate:
Varies greatly
(Visa Appointment Wait Times)
Costs: $220 SEVIS fee paid by scholar, student intern, or hiring unit (J transfers exempt)

$185 machine-readable visa fee paid by the scholar, student intern, or hiring unit if the scholar or student intern is coming from outside the U.S
Scholar or Student Intern Arranges Travel & Arrives
The scholar or student intern makes their travel arrangements and arrives at the university
Timeline:
Scholar or Student Intern:
Varies
Cost: travel paid by scholar, student intern, or hiring unit

*Note that the last two steps do not apply to J-1 scholars transferring their J sponsorship to the university.

In the J-1 Request for Form DS-2019 you will choose the J-1 category and title appropriate to the activity and length of stay of the prospective scholar.

J-1 Category

Common University Titles*

J-1 Activity

J-1 Length of stay**

Research Scholar

Paid

  • Post-Doctoral Fellow
  • Visiting Research Assoc.
  • Visiting Researcher

Unpaid: Research Affiliate

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

Visiting faculty title

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

Any of the above or other visiting title

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

Up to 6 months with no extensions

Specialist

Paid or Unpaid

  • Choose based on specific duties

observe, consult, or demonstrate special knowledge or skills

3 weeks to 1 year

Student Intern

Paid: Student Stipend

Unpaid: Research Affiliate

Undergraduate research or training

3 weeks to 1 year

Alien physician

(administered by GME, not ISSS)

ECFMG Alien Physicians

  • 3100 series for medical resident
  • 3110 for some medical fellows

Medical residency or fellowship

Up to 7 years

*See the Benefit Eligibility Matrix for job codes, job titles and title definitions.

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

  • Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Posting Guidancefor 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, appointments are limited to 2 academic years (Denver) and 2 years (Anschutz).
  • 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

CU Denver also hosts Fulbright scholars and other scholars sponsored by 3rd parties.

  • No 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: 12- and 24-month bars
  • English Language Proficiency
  • Minimum Financial Support and Cost of Living
  • In-Person Requirement
  • Cultural Component: The host unit agrees to provide cross-cultural activities, encourage participation in activities and facilitate exposure to American society, culture and institutions.

 
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