Scholar Services
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) assists UMB faculty and staff to bring international scholars to campus for a variety of purposes. ISSS advises on immigration matters, issues visa documents, and provides information and guidance on a wide range of issues such as employment, visa dependents, health insurance, and tax matters. Weekly orientation sessions for new scholars and their families are held throughout the year. Facutly, staff, current scholars and incoming scholars will find information on various topics in the table below. Please feel free to email a scholar advisor for questions and assistance.
Overview
According to the Department of State (DOS), the purpose of the J-1 Exchange Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States (US) and the people of other countriesby means of educational and cultural exchanges.The exchange of visiting scholars promotes interchange, mutual enrichment, and linkages between research and educational institutions in US and foreign countries. Participants in this program will enter the US with a J-1 visa, identified as “exchange visitors.”
J-1 Categories
J-1 visiting scholar appointments at the University of Massachusetts Boston fall into one of the following categories:
- Professor: a professor is an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the program sponsor. Minimum stay of three weeks required with a maximum stay of five years
- Research Scholar: a research scholar is an individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project. The research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the program sponsor. Minimum stay of three weeks required with a maximum stay of five years.
- Short-term Scholar: a short-term scholar is an individual coming to the US for a period of up to six months to lecture, observe, consult, and participate in seminars, workshops, conferences, professional meetings, or similar types of educational and professional activities. No minimum stay required with a maximum stay of six months (NOTE: no extensions beyond six months under any circumstances)
Limitations for J-1 Professor and Research Scholar Categories
Twelve-Month Bar:
A foreign national is ineligible to participate in a professor/research scholar exchange program if he or she has held any J nonimmigrant status within the 12-month period immediately preceding the start of the exchange program. This Twelve-Month Bar applies to J-2 dependents as well as principal non-immigrants. The following three exceptions exist:
- J-1 transfers to UMASS Boston without any gap
- Prior presence in J status in the US was of less than 6 months duration
- Presence in J status as a Short-Term Scholar
24-Month Bar (also known as the Two-Year Bar):
An individual who participates in the Exchange Visitor Program as a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar becomes subject to the 24-Month Bar on "repeat participation" in those particular categories after completing his or her program even if the program lasts less than five years. DOS has taken the position that the 24-Month Bar will also apply to J-2 dependents of J-1 Professors or Research Scholars if the J-2 subsequently wishes to return as a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar.
Appointment
J-1 scholar status is limited to those who hold University temporary, "visiting" academic positions. It cannot be used for tenure-track faculty positions, regular faculty or support positions, administrative positions, or staff positions.
Minimum Funding Requirements
- A minimum of $18,000 a year ($1,500/month) is required to support a single visiting scholar at UMASS Boston
- An additional $4,500 a year is required for an accompanying spouse ($375/month)
- An additional $2,000 a year for each accompanying child ($167/month)
These funds may come from UMASS Boston, an outside organization, or the individual may be supported by his or her own resources.Immigration regulations require proof of sufficient supporting funds before visa documents can be issued. The funding documents must have been issued within the past 6 months. If the funding document is not in English, it should be translated.
Health Insurance Requirements
Unlike any other immigration category, DOS federally mandates all J-1 and J-2 status holders to carry adequate health insurance coverage. The J-1 scholar must purchase insurance for him/herself and his/her J-2 dependents immediately upon arrival in the US.If the J-1 scholar and/or dependents fail to maintain the mandatory health insurance coverage, they will be in violation of federal immigration regulations; will be subject to termination as a participant; and must leave the US immediately.
U.S. Government regulations require J-1 scholars and J-2 dependents to have health insurance that provides:
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per illness
- Payment for repatriation (preparation and transportation of remains to home country) in case of death in the amount of $7,500
- Payment for medical evacuation (transportation to home country on advice of attending physician) in the amount of $10,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per illness or accident
- Coverage of pre-existing conditions after a reasonable waiting period determined by current industry standards
- Payment by insurance policy of at least 75% of the costs of medical care (the patient must not be required to pay more than 25%)
To comply with these regulations, health insurance policies must at a minimum be underwritten by corporations having one of the following: A.M. Best policy holder rating of A- or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. rating of A- or above, a Standard and Poor's claims-paying ability rating of A- or above, or a Weiss Research Inc. rating of B+ or above. Insurance backed by the full faith and credit of the exchange visitor's (J-1 scholars) government will meet this requirement. The regulations state that any exchange visitor (or accompanying dependent) who fails to maintain health insurance coverage as detailed above or who misrepresents such coverage will be in violation of U.S. Government regulations and shall be subject to termination as an exchange visitor.
The University of Massachusetts Boston offers a UMASS Scholar Insurance Plan that meet both Department of State requirements and State of Massachusetts Requirements.
Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement
J-1 individuals who have received funding from their government or the US government for J-1 program participation, or whose skills are deemed to be in short supply by the home country, are obliged to leave the US upon completion of their programs Scholars can check the “Skills List” to see if their skills are listed as subject to the Two Year Home Residency requirement. The two-year home country residence requirement does not, however, apply in all cases, since there are many countries that do not maintain a list of skills in short supply. Exchange visitors who are subject to the Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement must "reside and be physically present" in their "home" country for an aggregate of two years before being eligible for certain immigration benefits.
While they are subject to the Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement, they are ineligible for the following benefits:
- They are not eligible to change their nonimmigrant status within the United States from J to any other nonimmigrant category except A (diplomatic) and G (international organization) statuses
- They are not eligible for adjustment of status to lawful permanent resident (immigrant/green card) status
- They are not eligible for an H visa (temporary workers and dependents), or an L visa (intracompany transferees and dependents)
In some cases, this requirement may be waived upon recommendation of the home government or on other grounds.
Please note that once a J-1/J-2 receives either a waiver approval notice (from USCIS) or a waiver recommendation (by DOS), he/she is no longer eligible for any extensions, etc. as he/she is no longer considered as a bona fide exchange visitor by DOS, which oversees the J exchange visitor program. He/she can, of course, finish his/her current exchange program until the end date listed on the current DS-2019. Thus, a J-1/J-2 should plan the timing of a waiver application carefully.
Special Documentation for Scholars with Non-UMASS Boston Site of Activity
In general, all J-1 scholars will conduct their activities at UMASS Boston. In rare situations, the J-1 activity might occur at a non-UMASS site under the full, day-to-day supervision of a regular full-time UMASS Boston faculty member. In such cases, attach a letter from the Chair of the hosting department that includes the following:
- Dates of visit
- Nature of activities
- Site(s) of activity, including full address
- How the J-1 activity will be part of the UMB department’s on-going research projects/programs
- Relationship between the UMB department and the non-UMB site of activity
- Name and title of full-time UMB faculty or PI who will supervise the J-1 program activity throughout the J-1 scholar’s stay in the US
- Funding arrangements
- Hosting Department Responsibilities
Information for Faculty
Departmental Responsibilites
Click here to download: DEPARTMENT GUIDE FOR VISITING FACULTY AND RESEARCH SCHOLARS
Please download the above department guide for detailed information regarding the hosting of J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Professor, Research Scholar, and Short-Term Scholar catagory.
The hosting department must consider the following responsibilities and criteria of J-1Visitors before appointing a scholar in J-1 status:
The exchange visitor may only perform duties limited to the pre-established educational objectives as stated on the DS-2019 form. Any additional employment must be incidental to the visitor's primary program activities, must be directly related to his or her original objectives, and must be authorized in writing by ISSS in advance.
Be aware of the ISSS Application Deadlines: The hosting department should submit the request to ISSS 3-4 months in advance, but no later than 6 weeks in advance.
Departments must ascertain that the international scholar has appropriate academic credentials (including English language proficiency) to be appointed to and benefit from his/her J-1 stay at the University.
- •The scholar and any accompanying dependents must have adequate financial support and health insurance coverage to be eligible for J-1 status.
- The intent of the appointment/affiliation with the University must be temporary, and the visitor must plan to return home upon completion of the educational objective.
- The exchange visitor must be in valid J-1 status and on UMASS Boston sponsorship before he or she can commence appointment and receive any payment or compensation.
- An exchange visitor may not change departments within the University without first obtaining approval from ISSS. (See guidelines below for transfer of departments.)
- Reinstatement to legal status will rarely, if ever, be granted in the US to scholars who lose their status. The scholar must return home with no guarantee of being issued a visa to return.
- J-1 scholars must always be in possession of an I-94 card and a current DS-2019 which accurately reflects their purpose for being at UMASS Boston.
- Departments should immediately notify ISSS of terminations or departures of exchange visitors.
The primary advantages of the J-1 status are that it can be obtained relatively easily and quickly, and that it usually allows the spouse and dependents holding J-2 status to work while in the US.
Scholars who are unsure of their future plans with respect to employment at UMASS Boston or in the US, and who would be subject to the two-year home country residence requirement would do well to consider alternative immigration classifications.
Form DS-2019 is the document required for a scholar to obtain a J-1 visa. This form is issued by ISSS upon receipt and review of the J-1 Scholar Request submitted by the hosting department.
Plans to invite a J-1 scholar should begin three to four months in advance of the start date of the appointment to allow for case review, document preparation, mailing immigration documents, and visa processing. In some cases, scholar may experience significant delays in visa processing abroad due to possible US government security clearances.
If the J-1 scholar is outside of the US, the department should send the form DS-2019 to the scholar via certified mail with a tracking number. The scholar will then take the DS-2019 to the US Embassy or consulate to get their entry visa.
If the J-1 scholar is in the US under the sponsorship of another J-1 program and wishes to transfer their J-1 status to UMASS Boston, the hosting department should submit a J-1 Scholar Request to ISSS at least 4-6 weeks before the scholar’s current J-1 status expires.
If the scholar is in the US in another immigration status, the hosting department should consult ISSS as it could take months to change status to J-1 within the US.
Information on Inviting a Visiting Fulbright Scholar to UMASS Boston
Click here: Inviting a Visiting Fulbright Scholar Information Sheet
Click here: Occasional Lecturer Fund Information
Detailed Information on the Visiting Scholar Program can be found at CIES website.
J-1 New Scholar
Arrival at UMASS Boston
All J-1 scholars are required to make an appointment with a Scholar Advisor upon arrival in the United States. Failure to check-in with the ISSS Office will cause the scholar’s program to be automatically terminated, jeopardizing their legal status in the US. Please notify ISSS via email (susan.connors@umb.edu) if the J-1 scholar plans to arrive later than expected so that ISSS may defer the program start date on the DS-2019 to avoid SEVIS auto-termination.
Payment of I-901 SEVIS Fee
A scholar must have proof that they have paid this fee to the US government before you visit a US consulate to apply for a J-1 visa or enter the US.
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not need visas to enter the US, but they must have proof of payment of the SEVIS fee when they enter the US in J-1 status for the first time.
If they are already in the US and will apply for a change of status to J-1, they must also pay the SEVIS fee before submitting their change of status application to USCIS.
A scholar may use a major credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express, issued in any country to anyone) to pay the SEVIS fee online and print out a confirmation receipt that you can used as proof of payment.
To pay the SEVIS fee online go to www.fmjfee.com. For “Program Number” enter the University of Massachusetts is P-1-05673. To pay by mail, please see the SEVIS fee website for instructions.
Current J-1 Scholars
Maintaining Legal Status
The J-1 scholar must take care during his/her stay in the US to maintain lawful J-1 status, as failure to do so can have serious short-term and long-term consequences.
Fortunately, there are some simple steps the J-1 scholar can take to ensure that his/her stay in the US remains valid:
- Following the J-1 scholar’s initial entry to the US, he/she should make an appointment immediately with a J Scholar Advisor.
- Be aware of the DS-2019 expiration date. This is not the J-1 visa (sticker) expiration date. If the J-1 scholar’s appointment at UMASS Boston is being extended, the hosting department must contact ISSS to have the DS-2019 form extended at least six weeks prior to the current DS-2019 end date.
- Keep your passport valid. Passports can be renewed by the J-1 scholar’s home country consulate. The DOS maintains a complete list of Foreign Embassies in the US.
- Make sure the J-1 I-94 card is always marked “J-1” and “D/S.” It is much harder to correct errors once you leave the immigration inspection site (e.g. airport). Should your I-94 card contain any errors by an immigration officer, immediately meet with an ISSS Scholar Advisor.
- Do not accept unauthorized employment. The only activity the J-1 scholar is permitted to do is the one described in section 4 of the DS-2019 form at the pre-determined site(s) of activity in SEVIS. If you are unclear about your approved activity and site(s) of J-1 activity, contact ISSS. The J-1 scholar must consult an ISSS advisor in advance if he/she wishes to take up any other work during the stay. See the section on occasional lectures and consultations below for more information.
- If offered a comparable position at another college or university, discuss plans with an ISSS advisor in advance to make sure that the required J-1 transfer procedure can be accomplished. See information on the transfer of J-1 sponsorship below.
- Comply with DOS federal health insurance requirements for J-1 scholars and their families. See the health insurance requirements below. Willful disregard of these requirements will result in termination of the J-1 program and his/her legal J-1 status in the US.
- Report any address change to ISSS. J-1 scholars are required to report change of address to DHS within 10 days of the change.
Occasional Lectures and Consultations
Professors and Research Scholars may give occasional lectures and short-term consultations incidental to their primary activities, if approved ISSS in advance. Please see Occasional Lecture/Consultation Request and information sheet.
To work for any organization other than UMASS Boston in the position described on your DS-2019 form, the J-1 scholar must first obtain approval in writing in advance from his/her J-1 Scholar Advisor, who represents your J-1 sponsor and issues your Form DS-2019.
The1 J- Scholar Advisor must evaluate the proposed occasional lectures or consultations in terms of the J-1 scholar’s program objectives, and then decide whether or not it would be appropriate.
If the J-1 scholar is being sponsored by an agency (e.g. IIE/Fulbright), and if uncertain how to reach the appropriate Scholar Advisor, an ISSS adviser will help find out, but UMASS Boston has no authority to grant permission to accept an occasional lecture or consultation opportunity.
Conditions:
The term occasional embodies the concept of single events rather than an ongoing activity. To ensure that "occasional lectures or short-term consultations" do not interfere with, and are in keeping with, the activities of the J-1 program, they:
- must be directly related to the objectives of your Exchange Visitor program;
- must be incidental to your primary program activities; and
- must not delay the completion of your Exchange Visitor program
If such activities will involve wages or other remuneration, he/she will be working not as an employee but as an independent contractor, meaning that the J-1 will not have an employer-employee relationship with the person or institution paying the J-1 scholar, and will not complete Form I-9, “Employment Eligibility Verification,” in order to start work.
Extension of J-1 Sponsorship
If the hosting department wishes to extend the J-1 scholar’s appointment/affiliation with the University, the scholar must work with the host faculty to complete the DS2019 Extension Request and submit to ISSS at least six weeks before the current J-1 status expires (date as noted in section 3 of Form DS-2019). Click here to download extension form.
Transfer of J-1 Sponsorship
If the J-1 scholar wishes to transfer from one J-1 sponsor to another, he/she must seek clearance from the original/current program sponsor. Once the program sponsor (ISSS for UMASS Boston) has transferred the J-1 scholar's SEVIS record and the new institution has produced a DS-2019, the J-1 scholar is then considered under the sponsorship of the new program.
The scholar may not take up appointment with the new program until the transfer process has been successfully completed. The transfer of J-1 program sponsorship must be completed prior to the individual's termination from the previous J-1 program and before the current DS-2019 form expires. For scholars transferring to the University of Massachusetts Boston, the hosting departments should complete the Scholar Request Application including a Transfer-In Request form for J-1 scholars. Please note that time spent in a previous program(s) prior to the transfer will be counted toward the maximum stay allowed.
If you wish to transfer your J-1 status from UMASS Boston to another institution, please request a Transfer Out Request for J-1 Scholars.
After Completion of J-1 Stay
Scholars and J-2 dependents are afforded a 30-day grace period to leave the US from the program end date or the DS-2019 end date, whichever is earlier. Please be advised that the J-1/J-2 may not leave the US during the grace period and re-enter as J-1/J-2 using Form DS-2019. The grace period cannot be used to work in the US.
J-2 Dependent Status for Spouses and Children
The spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) of the J-1 scholar are eligible for J-2 dependent status. Each J-2 dependent must be in possession of his/her own DS-2019. When completing the J-1 Exchange Visitor Information Form provided by ISSS, the J-1 scholar should fill in the section requesting information on any dependents accompanying him/her to the US.
When requesting a dependent DS-2019 after the student or scholar is in the US in J-1 status, he/she needs to submit the Dependent Request form with the appropriate financial funding information.
J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for employment authorization from the USCIS as long as the employment is not for the purpose of supporting the J-1 scholar.
J-2 children are permitted to enroll in elementary or secondary schools while in the US. Currently, the regulations do not have a prohibition on J-2s engaging in post-secondary study full-time. The duration of the J-1 scholar's stay is stated in item 3 of the DS-2019. If the J-1 scholar is eligible and applies for an extension of stay, the dependent's period of stay will automatically be extended. To obtain the updated DS-2019 for J-2 dependent, the J-1 scholar should include the J-2's information on the appropriate extension request form.
The J-1 scholar should consult with ISSS regarding extension procedures.
Absence from Program- Travel and Leave Policy
J-1 Research Scholars may travel abroad during their stay at UMASS Boston for a period of more than 30 days only if the scholar’s program activity requires the scholar to travel, and the travel abroad is in collaboration with the J program activity of the host department. In such circumstances ISSS will maintain the exchange visitor’s SEVIS record active. The Request for Temporary Leave of Absence (LOA) must be approved by the host department and submitted to ISSS prior to departing the U.S. ISSS will determine if the LOA is in accordance with the federal regulations pertaining to J-1 Research Scholar category. If so, the LOA will be granted.
Absences not required/related to the J-1 exchange visitors’ academic objective with the host department may not extend beyond a maximum of 30 days and may not be repetetive in nature. In accordance with federal regulations pertaining to the J-1 Research Scholar category, ISSS cannot maintain that an exchange visitor is in the U.S. actively engaged in the program objective as stated in item #4 on the DS2019 if the research is not in the US. Research scholars should be aware that termination of the SEVIS record subjects scholars to the 24-month bar on repeat participation.
When traveling outside of the United States, all scholars should request a travel signature with the Travel Signature Request Form.
Forms
Scholar Request Forms for Faculty Hosts
- Scholar Request (must be accompanied by C.V.s of both scholar and faculty host)
- Invitation Letter Template
- Extention Request
- Host Department Guide for Visiting Professors & Researchers
- Host Department Agreement
J2 Dependent Information
Scholar Forms and Procedures
- Occasional Lecture/Consultation Reqeust
- Occasional Lecture/Consultation Information Sheet
- DS-2019 Extension Request
- DS-2019 Travel Signature Request
- Leave of Absence Request Form
- J-1 Statement of Understanding (to be signed at orientation review)
J Scholar Insurance
- For information on the UMASS Scholar Plan, please email a scholar advisor for the most up-to-date enrollment materials.
