J-1 Scholars
Purpose of Exchange Visitor Program
The purpose of the program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. At the conclusion of their program, participants are expected to return to their home countries.
Scholar Categories at WSU
There are four principle categories within the Exchange Visitor Program in which WSU sponsors foreign faculty to come to WSU to engage in collaborative projects.
Professors:
A professor may primarily conduct teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post‑secondary accredited educational institutions; may also conduct research, unless disallo w ed by the sponsor.
Scholars:
A research scholar may primarily conduct research, observing, or consulting in connection w ith a research project at post‑secondary accredited educational institutions; may also teach or lecture, unless disallo w ed by the sponsor.
A short term scholar is a professor, research scholar, or person w ith 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 at post‑secondary accredited educational institutions from one day to a maximum of six months. No extensions beyond the six months are permitted.
Please note that it is appropriate for a professor or research scholar to come to the United States as an exchange visitor only when the underlying purpose of his or her entry is to stimulate international collaborative teaching and research efforts or to promote interchange between research and educational institutions in the United States and other countries.
A specialist is an individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to the United States for observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills. J-1 visa holders in the Specialists category may stay for the length of time necessary to complete their program, not to exceed one year. Extensions beyond the 1-year program are not permitted.
The exchange visitor shall not be a candidate for a tenure track position.
Procedures for hosting a J-1 scholar
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