The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa includes several categories, which are distinct from the TCU appointment title. The category that best aligns with the sponsoring department’s needs and most accurately reflects the exchange visitor’s primary activity at TCU will be specified in Item 4 of the DS-2019 form. Please note that the department appointment title is not included on the DS-2019 form. Below the most commonly used Exchange Visitor categories at TCU, along with a brief description of each.
Short-term Scholar
A short-term scholar is an individual coming to the U.S. for a period of up to six months to lecture, observe, consult, and participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, study tours, professional meetings, or similar types of educational and professional activities.
NOTE: no extensions beyond six months are permitted under any circumstances.
- Duration: 6 months maximum
- Qualifications: Must have academic credentials (generally at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and experience appropriate to the field of endeavor.
- Repeat Participation Regulatory Bars: None
- Note: Requests to repeat participation as a short-term scholar will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and can only be considered if the scholar is returning to complete a different research objective than that of the initial period of J-1 short-term scholar status.
- Must be a professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments
- Must have an official offer or invitation from a department at TCU
Research Scholar and Professor
A research scholar is an individual whose primary intention is to conduct research. The research scholar may potentially also teach/lecture. A professor is an individual whose primary intention is to engage in teaching or lecturing. A professor may also potentially conduct research.
- Duration: 5 years maximum, Minimum 3 weeks
- Qualifications: Must have academic credentials (generally at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent) and experience appropriate to the field of endeavor.
- Repeat Participation Regulatory Bars: There is a 24-month bar on repeat participation in the same category for all Research Scholar and Professor participants. Additionally, applicants who have been in the United States for all or part of the preceding 12 months in any J-category are not eligible unless they are transferring, were engaged as a short-term scholar, or they were present in the U.S. for less than 6 months in duration.
- Must be engaged as a research scholar or professor abroad and whose primary purpose is:
- Research scholar: conducting research, observing or consulting in connection with a research project
- Professor: teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting
- Note: The 24-month regulatory repeat participation bar is separate from the 212(e) two-year home residency requirement.
If you have questions about J-1 Exchange Visitor status, please contact the ISO at internationalservices@tcu.edu