Exchange Visitor (J-1) Program
The Exchange Visitor (J-1) Program was established by the U.S. Government to allow scholars from other countries to come to the U.S. to participate in educational and cultural programs. The objective of the Exchange Visitor Program is to increase mutual understanding between the citizens of the U.S. and the Exchange Visitors’ countries. The visitors may participate in studies, research, teaching, or receive training. Universities, research institutes, and organizations can be recognized by the U.S. Department of State as Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors. All U.S. visitors holding J-1 visa status are referred to as Exchange Visitors (EV).
Prospective scholars to UCLA will receive J-1 visa status for their programs. This population may include the following UCLA non-tenure track appointments: Postdoctoral Scholars, Visiting Scholars, Lecturers, Teachers, Visiting Graduate Researcher, and Staff Research Assistants. Accompanying dependents (spouse and unmarried children of 21 years of age or younger) will obtain J-2 visa status.
Please note, the Dashew Center does not oversee scholars at the UCLA School of Medicine. The David Geffen School of Medicine Visa and Licensing Office handles all J-1 visa related matters for visitors in the School of Medicine and other affiliated hospitals.
Eligibility and Categories
UCLA School of Medicine sponsors visiting scholars only. There are 4 categories under which a visiting scholar can be classified in J-1 status. Please refer to the table below for eligibility and conditions. If your prospective Exchange Visitor (EV) has been in the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in either the Professor or Research Scholar category or as J-2 dependent status within the last 12 months for a period exceeding 6 months, he/she is not eligible to enter the U.S. as a J-1 research scholar or professor to start a new program.
Effective October 1, 2024: The minimum educational level required for all categories below is a master's degree or bachelor's degree with one or more years of full-time research experience following completion of undergraduate studies, and currently enrolled in the second year of the master's program within the same field in which the research is to be conducted.
To teach courses and conduct advanced research. This category includes Lecturers and Professors on non-tenured track appointments. MA/MS/M.D., minimum required.
Primary Activity at UCLA/Eligibility: An individual whose primary activity is teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting on non-tenure track appointments such as Adjunct Professor. Participation in Departmental advanced research is allowed.
Length of Stay: Minimum 22 days. Maximum 5 years. Includes time spent at another institution on J-1 status. No extension of stay allowed beyond 5 years.
Bars: If they had completed a previous Exchange Visitor (J-1) program in the U.S under the Professor or Research Scholar category, they are subject to a 24-month bar (gap) to start a new Exchange Visitor (J-1) program under the Professor or Research Scholar category.
Study Restrictions: May engage in temporary/incidental study only. Degree objective programs are not permitted.
To participate in research activities under the supervision of a UCLA faculty member. May hold VGR or Visiting Scholar Appointments. May not hold a Clinical title. This category also includes speakers at Conferences receiving an honorarium from UCLA. MA/MS/M.D., minimum required.
Primary Activity at UCLA/Eligibility: An individual whose primary activity is conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project under the supervision of a UCLA faculty member.
Length of Stay: Minimum 22 days. Maximum 5 years. Includes time spent at another institution on J-1 status. No extension of stay allowed beyond 5 years.
Bars: If they had completed a previous Exchange Visitor (J-1) program in the U.S under the Professor or Research Scholar category, they are subject to a 24-month bar (gap) to start a new Exchange Visitor (J-1) program under the Professor or Research Scholar category.
Study Restrictions: May engage in temporary/incidental study only. Degree objective programs are not permitted.
A professor, researcher, or person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the U.S.A. on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills. This category includes speakers at Conferences receiving an honorarium from UCLA. MA/MS/M.D., minimum required.
Length of Stay: No minimum. Maximum 6 months. No extension of stay allowed beyond 6 months.
Study Restrictions: May engage in temporary/incidental study only. Degree objective programs are not permitted.
Primary Activity at UCLA/Eligibility: An individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to the U.S.A. for observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills. May hold SRA or equivalent appointment. MA/MS/M.D., minimum required.
Length of Stay: Minimum 22 days. Maximum 1 year. No extension of stay allowed beyond 1 year.
Changes from one J-1 program category to another (i.e. research scholar to student or vice versa) are NOT usually permitted by the State Department or the USCIS. Therefore, exchange visitors should not be brought into the U.S. on J-1 visas under one program category with the assumption that they can shift easily to another program category after their arrival. For category changes from research J-1 to ECFMG’s clinical J-1, please refer to ECFMG’s home page website or contact the Visa & Licensing Office.