If an individual comes to UCI on a short-term visit for the purpose of engaging in UCI collaborative research and/or lecturing at UCI, the International Center recommends for the person to come to UCI on a J-1 visa. As a prospective J-1 scholar, you must be invited by an UCI academic department or lab who will serve as your host. J-1 visitors at UC Irvine will likely be placed into one of the following categories:
Research Scholar
An individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project and is also allowed to teach or lecture. The research scholar category:
- is used for UC Irvine appointments of 3 weeks to 5 years in duration.
- allows for extensions up to the 5 year maximum.
- is subject to a 24-month bar on return visits as a J research scholar at the end of the program.
- may be able to return to the U.S. in a different J category (such as Short-Term Scholar) or in other types of nonimmigrant status such as F-1 student, B-1/ B-2 visitor, H-1B Temporary Worker, or Visa Waiver Program during the 24-month bar period.
Short-Term Scholar
A professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills. The short-term category:
- is appropriate for academic appointments
- cannot be extended beyond 6 months
- NOT subject to the 24-month bar on return visits as a J-1 research scholar
Professor
An individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting. J-1 Professors may also participate in departmental research. If the Exchange Visitor will be here primarily to conduct research the Research Scholar category above is more appropriate, even if the individual is a professor in his or her home country. The professor category:
- is used for UC Irvine academic appointments
- allows for extensions up to the 5 year maximum.
- is subject to a 24-month bar on return visits as a J research scholar and professor at the end of the program.
- may return to the U.S. in J-1 Short-Term Scholar (see above) or in any other visa category such as F-1 student, B-1/ B-2 visitor, H-1B Temporary Worker, or Visa Waiver Program during the 24-month bar period.
Non-Degree Student
An individual in a full-course of study including classroom and/or research, as part of an international agreement (Agreement must be attached to request) or with an Academic Appointment. This category requires that the undergraduate student be enrolled and pursuing an undergraduate program at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. and funding is at minimum 51% non-personal funds (home institution, scholarship, fellowship).
- is used for UC Irvine academic appointments
- cannot be extended beyond 24 months.
- may be subject to the 12-month bar
- NOT subject to the 24-month bar on return visits as a J-1 research scholar
Once you are officially invited by UCI academic department, they will assist you in submitting materials to the International Center. Only then can the International Center begin processing visa documents for you and your dependents.
Please contact the International Center at internationalscholar@uci.edu if you have additional questions.
Non-UCI Sponsored J-1 Scholars
If you are a non-UCI sponsored J-1 scholar visiting UCI for collaborative research and/or teaching activities, your DS-2019 document will be issued by your own J-1 sponsoring institution. You must have authorization from your J-1 sponsoring institution to pursue research/teaching activities at UCI.
Once you have arrived at UCI, you will need to complete the new scholar/employee check-in process with the UCI International Center to verify UCI on-campus employment eligibility. Please coordinate with your UCI department administrator to prepare and submit new scholar check-in documents to the International Center.
Please contact the International Center at internationalscholar@uci.edu if you have additional questions.