J-1 Exchange Visitors and Scholars
Pre Arrival Recommendations J-1 ScholarThe Exchange Visitor Program Welcome BrochureWilberforce Brochure
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program supports temporary educational and cultural exchange in the United States. At CSUSB, J-1 sponsorship may be used for eligible visiting scholars, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, specialists, and other exchange visitors whose primary purpose is academic exchange.
J-1 sponsorship is coordinated through International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS). Departments interested in hosting a J-1 Exchange Visitor should contact ISSS before making commitments to a prospective visitor.
Not for Tenure-Track or Permanent Employment
J-1 sponsorship is generally intended for temporary academic exchange. It is not the standard immigration process for tenure-track, permanent, or long-term employment at CSUSB.
Faculty employment sponsorship, including eligible tenure-track appointments, may require review for another immigration category, such as H-1B.
Departments should contact ISSS before assuming that J-1 sponsorship is appropriate for a faculty, staff, researcher, or scholar appointment.
Hosting a J-1 Scholar
Departments interested in inviting a J-1 scholar or exchange visitor should review the Hosting International Scholars information and contact ISSS early in the planning process.
- Proposed J-1 category;
- Appointment dates;
- Site of activity;
- Funding source and funding amount;
- English proficiency documentation;
- Academic credentials;
- Proposed activities;
- Department support;
- Health insurance requirements;
- Dependent family members, if applicable.
Departments should not invite a scholar to begin activities at CSUSB until ISSS has reviewed the request and issued the appropriate immigration documentation.
For more information, please visit the Hosting International Scholars page.
Maintaining J-1 Status
J-1 Exchange Visitors are responsible for maintaining valid J-1 status throughout their program.
J-1 scholars should:
- Maintain a valid DS-2019;
- Participate only in authorized program activities;
- Maintain required health insurance for themselves and any J-2 dependents;
- Report address, phone number, and email changes to ISSS;
- Keep passport validity current;
- Request travel signatures before international travel;
- Contact ISSS before changing program dates, funding, activity, department, or site of activity;
- Contact ISSS before accepting any payment, honorarium, outside activity, or additional appointment;
- Notify ISSS before completing the program early or transferring to another institution.
Failure to maintain J-1 status may affect the scholar’s ability to remain in the United States or participate in future immigration processes.
J-1 Exchange Visitors should contact ISSS before making international travel plans.
Before traveling, scholars should confirm that they have:
- A valid passport;
- A valid J-1 visa stamp, if required for reentry;
- A valid DS-2019 with a recent travel signature;
- Proof of continued program activity;
- Any additional documents recommended by ISSS.
Travel may affect immigration status, future change of status requests, or other immigration processes. Scholars should contact ISSS before traveling, especially if another petition or application is pending or expected.
Changes to a J-1 scholar’s program may require ISSS review before the change occurs.
Contact ISSS before:
- Changing program dates;
- Extending or shortening the program;
- Changing the site of activity;
- Changing funding sources or funding amount;
- Changing the department or faculty host;
- Changing the primary activity;
- Adding paid activity or outside activity;
- Transferring to another institution;
- Ending the program early.
ISSS will review whether the change is permitted and whether the DS-2019 or SEVIS record must be updated.
Some J-1 Exchange Visitors may become subject to the two-year home residency requirement. This requirement depends on factors such as funding source, field of activity, country of last residence, and government skills list applicability.
Some J-1 categories may also be subject to repeat participation bars, including the 12-month bar or 24-month bar, depending on the category and program history.
These rules are case-specific. J-1 Exchange Visitors should contact ISSS or consult qualified immigration counsel if they have questions about how these rules may apply to their situation.
J-1 Exchange Visitors are authorized to participate only in the activities listed on their Form DS-2019 and approved by ISSS. J-1 status is program-specific, category-specific, and site-specific.
J-1 scholars may not accept employment, payment, honoraria, consulting opportunities, teaching assignments, research appointments, or other compensated activities outside the approved CSUSB program unless ISSS has reviewed and authorized the activity in advance.
This includes activities such as:
- Giving a lecture or presentation at another institution;
- Receiving an honorarium or speaker payment;
- Consulting for another university, company, or organization;
- Conducting research at another school or research site;
- Collaborating in person at a location not listed on the DS-2019;
- Accepting temporary teaching, training, or professional activity outside CSUSB;
- Receiving reimbursement, stipend, wages, or other compensation from another entity.
Some occasional lectures or short-term consultations may be permitted for certain J-1 scholar categories, but they must be reviewed and approved by ISSS before the activity occurs. The activity must generally be directly related to the scholar’s program objectives, incidental to the primary CSUSB program activity, and documented in writing.
J-1 scholars should contact ISSS before participating in any activity outside CSUSB, even if the activity is unpaid. ISSS will review whether the activity is permitted, whether written authorization is required, and whether the DS-2019 or SEVIS record must be updated.
Unauthorized employment or activity may affect the scholar’s J-1 status and future immigration options.
Contact ISSS
Departments interested in hosting a J-1 Exchange Visitor should contact International Student and Scholar Services as early as possible.
Current J-1 Exchange Visitors should contact ISSS with questions about DS-2019 validity, travel, program changes, status maintenance, health insurance, or completing the program.