J-1 Scholar Exchange Visitor Program
Purpose of Exchange Visitor Program
The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is an official program sponsor for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as authorized by the Department of State. The broad purpose of the J-1 program is to promote international educational and cultural exchange and to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries.
Positions and Limitations
Under the Department of State’s authorization, the University of Colorado Denver can offer prospective exchange visitors opportunities for study, teaching and research. A prospective J-1 scholar must be invited by a faculty member or offered employment by the university and the host unit will initiate the request for Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-nonimmigrant).
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
| 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
Overview of Process, Timeline and Costs
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.
HR business partners timeline: 1-3 weeks
Cost: None
ISSS reviews the department request, and if approved, asks prospective scholar to complete their questionnaire.
ISSS Timeline: 10 business days after receiving a complete request
Scholar Timeline: 1-3 weeks
Cost: None
ISSS reviews the completed request alongside the questionnaire and issues a Form DS-2019. This form is emailed to the prospective scholar.
The scholar submits their visa application and and schedules their interview
(J transfers, Canadian & Bermudan citizens exempt from visa)
Timeline: Varies greatly by consulate*
Cost:
- $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.
The scholar makes their travel arrangements and arrives at the university
Timeline: varies
Cost: travel paid by scholar or hiring unit