Santa Clara University

J-1 Status

The J-1 visa is generally used for students in specific educational exchange programs.  It may also be used by the University for students in degree programs. To be eligible for a J-1 visa, students must receive a majority of their financial support from sources other than personal funds.  The J-1 eligibility criteria are as follows:

• Have adequate financial support for all of your school and living expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family member(s), for the duration of your degree program as determined by normative time AND
• 51% of your total financial support comes from an institutional or government sponsor in the form of a scholarship, fellowship, assistantship, stipend, tuition waiver, or other direct support provided specifically for the educational program.  Personal or family funds do not qualify. Loans or support from individuals do not qualify OR
• You are participating in a specific educational exchange program.

What is J-1 Exchange Visitor Status?

The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the United States Department of State and has certain requirements that do not apply to other visa statuses. There are many categories of Exchange Visitors (EVs). The student category is one. Keep in mind that the student category is the only J-1 visa category managed by International Student Services (ISS).  If you are a Professor or Research Scholar please see J-1 CATEGORIES at SCU.  

In order to qualify for J-1 status in the student category, over half (51%) of your funding for your academic program must come from sources other than personal or family funds. Common sources of funding for EVs include funding from a government, international organization, or university.  ISS reserves discretion in issuing the DS-2019 required to apply for the J-1 visa.

Most students come to the United States to study in F-1 Student status. Your documents will automatically be processed for F-1 status unless you specifically request J-1 status. Some of the differences between F-1 and J-1 status are discussed in the section on immigration status under J-1 Categories at SCU. Please read this section carefully so you can make an informed decision as to which status you wish to obtain.

J-1 and F-1 COMPARISON

The visa class with which the J-1student is most often compared is the F-1. We strongly advise holders of J-1 visas to clearly understand the differences between these classifications.  Regulations, policies and procedures for the two visa classifications differ. See F-1 Visa Information to find out more about the benefits and restrictions of the F-1 status.   J-1 students must be aware of the specific program regulations for the J-1 Exchange Visitor program.

• The chief academic difference is that the J-1 provides for certain non-degree or non-enrolled educational programs not easily available to the F-1 category.
• The chief administrative difference is that most students who are totally funded by personal or family funds are not eligible for the J-1, while no such restrictions exist for the F-1.
• Both use the concept of “duration of status” (D/S), which permits students to stay in the USA for the duration of their program dates listed on the DS-2019 or I-20.
• Both provide employment opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, on-campus work, employment required by or related to the curriculum, and academic training (J-1) or practical training (F-1). Academic training for a J-1 is limited to 18 months (36 months for postdoctoral training) and requires a job offer. The post-graduate F-1 limit is 12 months, but there are additional opportunities for pre-completion employment related to the curriculum and no job offer is required for the awarding of post-completion practical training.
• The F-1 does not carry a health insurance requirement (though it is a SCU policy for all F-1 students to hold health insurance). J-1 programs have required minimum health insurance coverage.
• J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for work permission in the United States. F-2 dependents are not.
• The J category may subject the participant to a potential two-year home country residency requirement. The F-1 does not.

J-1 CATEGORIES at SCU

There are three Exchange Visitor Categories offered at SCU: Research Scholar, Professor and Student.  If you fall under the category of Research Scholar or Professor please contact Jonna Delgado, Human Resources at JSDelgado@scu.edu.  Please read the following information carefully to determine which category best fits your situation. 

All non-student categories are managed through Human Resources. 

Research Scholar

An individual concerned primarily with conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project and is also allowed to teach or lecture. The research scholar category:

• is used for SCU appointments of 3 weeks to 5 years in duration.
• allows for extensions up to the 5 year maximum.
• is subject to a 24-month bar on return visits as a J research scholar at the end of the program.
• may be able to return to the U.S. in a different J category (such as Short-Term Scholar) or in other types of nonimmigrant status such F-1 student, B-1/ B-2 visitor, H-1B Temporary Worker, or Visa Waiver Waiver Program during the 24-month bar period.

Professor

An individual concerned primarily with teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting.  J-1 Professors may also participate in departmental research. If the Exchange Visitor will be here primarily to conduct research the Research Scholar category above is more appropriate, even if the individual is a professor in his or her home country. The professor category:

• is used for SCU appointments of 3 weeks to 5 years in duration
• allows for extensions up to the 5 year maximum
• is subject to a 24-month bar on return visits as a J research scholar and professor at the end of the program
• may return to the U.S. in J-1 Short-Term Scholar (see below) or in any other visa category such as F-1 student, B-1/ B-2 visitor, H-1B Temporary Worker, or Visa Waiver Waiver Program during the 24-month bar period.

Non-Degree Seeking Student

An individual engaged in a prescribed non-degree academic program with a specific educational objective. Such a course of study may include classroom instruction, and research projects. Exchange Visitors can participate in the Non-Degree Student category for no more than 24 months.

Degree-Seeking Student

An individual who has been admitted by the University to obtain a degree.  Exchange Visitors in this category can extend their stay in the U.S. until they complete their degree objectives as long as they maintain valid status.