The U.S. Department of State has established several categories within the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The category assigned to an individual visiting scholar is based upon the scholar’s background, the purpose and academic activities at PSU, past visit history, the possibility of repeat visits to the U.S., and anticipated length of stay. The category that best fits the needs of the sponsoring department and most accurately reflects the visiting scholar’s primary academic activity at PSU is stated on item 4 on the scholar’s form DS-2019.
J-1 Visiting Scholars at Portland State University will be placed in one of the following categories:
Research Scholar:
An individual concerned primarily with conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project. A research scholar may also teach or lecture.
- May be used for appointments of 3 weeks to 5 years duration.
- Allows extensions up to the 5 year maximum.
- Subject to a 24-month bar on return visits in the research scholar or professor categories after the end of the J exchange program.
- May be able to return to the U.S. in a different J category or other types of non-immigrant status, such as F-1, B-1/2, H-1b, or visa waiver.
Professor:
An individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting. A professor may also participate in research. (The category term “professor” does not refer to academic title or home country title.)
- May be used for appointments of 3 weeks to 5 years duration.
- Allows extensions up to the 5 year maximum.
- Subject to a 24-month bar on return visits in the research scholar or professor categories after the end of the J exchange program.
- May be able to return to the U.S. in a different J category or other types of non-immigrant status, such as F-1, B-1/2, H-1b, or visa waiver.
Short-Term Scholar:
A professor, researcher, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills.
- May be used for appointments of less than 6 months.
- Cannot be extended beyond 6 months.
- Is not subject to the 24-month bar on return visits as a J visiting scholar.
Specialist:
An individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill to observe, consult, or demonstrate special skills.
- May be used for appointments up to 1 year in length.
- Extensions are not allowed beyond the 1 year maximum.
- Individuals eligible for the research scholar, professor or short-term scholar categories may not be a specialist.
- Is not subject to the 24-month bar, but will be subject to the 12 month bar if stay is over 6 months.
Student Intern:
Student Interns are undergraduate students who will complete a research internship under the supervision of a PSU faculty member. Internships may be for one term or up to one year. To qualify, internships must meet the following qualifications:
- Enrolled in an undergraduate degree level program at a university outside the United States.
- The internship will fulfill the home institution educational objectives/requirements.
- The student will return to the home institution to complete their studies.
- Internship must be full-time (minimum of 32/hrs/week).
- A detailed learning and work plan is agreed to by the student, PSU supervisor, and home institution.
Changing J-1 Categories
A change of J-1 category is not allowed once the J-1 visiting scholar has obtained his/her J-1 visa from a U.S. consulate. However, a change of category between Research Scholar and Professor may be allowed under special circumstances. Consult an adviser at International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) if considering a change in program objective.