J-1 Categories
The J visa is a nonimmigrant visa. The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is "to provide foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in educational and cultural programs in the United States and return home to share their experiences, and to encourage Americans to participate in educational and cultural programs in other countries" (8 CFR 514.1(b)). Exchange Visitors (EVs) enter the U.S. on a J visa. The DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status) is required to obtain a J-1 nonimmigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad, to extend the stay of the J-1 in the U.S., or to transfer from another institution to UCLA.
UCLA School of Medicine sponsors visiting scholars only. There are 3 categories under which a visiting scholar can be classified in J-1 status. Please refer to the information below for eligibility and conditions.
Primary Activity at UCLA/Eligibility: An individual whose primary activity is teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting on non-tenure track appointments such as Lecturers and Adjunct Professor. Participation in Departmental advanced research is allowed. Ph.D./M.D., minimum educational level required.
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.
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.
Study Restrictions: May engage in temporary/incidental study only. Degree objective programs are not permitted.
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. Generally, holds a Post-Doctoral position or Visiting Scholar appointments. May not hold a Clinical title. Cannot be on a career or tenure track appointment or a candidate for a tenure track position. Ph.D./M.D., minimum educational level required.
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.
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.
Study Restrictions: May engage in temporary/incidental study only. Degree objective programs are not permitted.
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Visiting Graduate Researcher (VGR): The Visiting Graduate Researcher (VGR) appointment will only be eligible for J-1 Research Scholar or J-1 Short-Term Scholar category.
Primary Activity at UCLA/Eligibility: Visiting Graduate Researchers (VGRs) are domestic or international degree-seeking graduate students at their home institution who are invited to conduct short-term doctoral research or participate in a mentored or independent research project or master’s research collaborations with a faculty member at UCLA.
Minimum educational level required: MS/MA 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.
Length of Stay: Minimum 22 days. Maximum 2 years. Includes time spent at another institution on J-1 status. Initial appointment period is for up to one year. Reappointment for up to one additional year is contingent upon approval of the faculty mentor and the availability of appropriate resources. No extension of stay allowed beyond 2 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.
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.
Primary Activity at UCLA/Eligibility: 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. Ph.D./M.D., minimum educational level required.
Length of Stay: No minimum. Maximum 6 months. No extension of stay allowed beyond 6months.
Study Restrictions: May engage in temporary/incidental study only. Degree objective programs are not permitted.
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Visiting Graduate Researcher (VGR): The Visiting Graduate Researcher (VGR) appointment will only be eligible for J-1 Research Scholar or J-1 Short-Term Scholar category.
Primary Activity at UCLA/Eligibility: Visiting Graduate Researchers (VGRs) are domestic or international degree-seeking graduate students at their home institution who are invited to conduct short-term doctoral research or participate in a mentored or independent research project or master’s research collaborations with a faculty member at UCLA.
Minimum educational level required: MS/MA 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.
Length of Stay: Minimum 22 days. Maximum 2 years. Includes time spent at another institution on J-1 status. Initial appointment period is for up to one year. Reappointment for up to one additional year is contingent upon approval of the faculty mentor and the availability of appropriate resources. No extension of stay allowed beyond 2 years.
Changes from one J-1 program category to another (i.e., research scholar to short-term 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 or contact the Visa & Licensing Office.