TCU J-1 Visa Sponsorship

The International Services Office (ISO) is happy to partner with our internal stakeholders to host and welcome new international faculty and scholars to TCU!
We have recently redesigned the J-1 sponsorship application process to increase transparency, efficiency, and support.

Overview

The J-1 visa is a temporary (nonimmigrant) visa intended for highly educated foreign professionals to collaborate, research, observe, consult, teach and train in specialty roles on the TCU campus. While requirements for each role may differ, all roles are supported through the ISO for visa regulations and compliance.

TCU is designated by the Department of State to sponsor the following categories:

• College and University Student (non-degree seeking and degree-seeking)
• Short-term Scholar
• Research Scholar
• Professor

For more information about the J-1 visa and the various categories, please explore the following websites:

• J-1 Visa
• S. Department of State Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs

Eligibility

English proficiency is required for all J-1 visa categories. English ability must be sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis both on campus at TCU and off-campus. English language proficiency can be verified by a documented sponsor-conducted interview, with a recognized English language test, or signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school.

All Short-term Scholars and Research Scholars must have a formal offer from a TCU department before they are eligible to apply for J-1 sponsorship.
For all College and University Student category J-1 visas, the appropriate departments should be contacted for further information. Eligibility for the J-1 visa is dependent upon the category of visa being applied for:

College and University Student (non-degree seeking and degree-seeking)

• Non-degree
• Degree

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.

Application

Please complete the New Scholar Application and send the all required documents from the document checklist to internationalservices@tcu.edu
J-1 Scholar Application Form
J-1 Scholar VRFC Form
J-1 Scholar Application Document Checklist

Next Steps

After your department submits an application for J-1 sponsorship to the ISO, please allow 5 business days for the ISO to review the application. After thorough review, an ISO advisor will contact you to request follow-up information, if necessary, or initiate the next steps of the process. Once the DS-2019 has been issued, the hosting department will be notified to come pick up the DS-2019 from the ISO.

Processing Times

The J-1 exchange visitor visa application process can take time. The overall process itself involves the ISO, the academic department, the prospective exchange visitor and the U.S. embassy in their home country.  Minimum lead time is two (2) months prior to the start date listed on the J-1 sponsorship application.

The TCU host department must submit all requested materials to the ISO at least three (3) months before the requested employment start date. ISO processing can take up to 5 business days, barring delays caused by missing documentation or extensive follow-up.

Government Processing Times:
U.S. Department of State Embassies
Estimated wait times at U.S. Embassies

Departmental Responsibilities
Departments that host J-1 Scholars are responsible for understanding their role and responsibilities. It is important that the hosting departments work closely with the IOS to uphold the regulatory requirements of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

Below are basic guidelines and expectations for the hosting department:

• Review and understand the requirements for scholars to maintain J-1 status
• Review the health insurance requirements for the J-1 Exchange Visitor
• Contact the ISO if:
  • The J-1 EV arrival date is delayed or if the program date changes
  • Any change to working conditions including but not limited to a change of work location/site of activity, change in funding source or amount, change of appointment title, change of hosting supervisor, etc.

Pre-Arrival Information
After receiving the DS-2019, the J-1 EV should complete the following steps:

1. Review the DS-2019 for any errors.
2. Sign the DS-2019.
3. Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee and print the receipt. This should be done prior to your visa interview appointment.
4. Complete and submit the DS-160 application to schedule an interview for a U.S. visa.
5. Review and verify that the information on your visa is accurate.
6. Enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to your program start date as listed on your DS-2019.
7. Email ISO and your hosting department with your arrival information. In your email, please include your flight number, arrival date, and arrival time.
8. Email ISO to schedule your mandatory J-1 Scholar Orientation.

Post-Arrival Information
The J-1 EV must complete the mandatory ISO check in and schedule the J-1 Scholar ISO orientation within 2 days of your arrival into the U.S.

To complete check in, please send the following to the ISO at internationalservices@tcu.edu :

• Completed J-1 Scholar/Professor Check in Form
• PDF of your most recent I-94
• PDF of your passport
• PDF of your J-1 visa
• PDF of your DS-2019 with the consular adjudication
• PDF of your insurance coverage
• If applicable, J-2 Dependent documents (passport, visa, DS-2019, I-94, insurance)

Questions?

Contact internationalservices@tcu.edu