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Visa Categories

Visa categories at Indiana University Indianapolis

The J-1 program includes multiple categories of exchange visitors. The J-1 categories below are available to pursue at IU Indianapolis.

• Professors and Research Scholars

  J-1 professors primarily teach, lecture, observe, or consult. Their duration of stay in the United States ranges from three weeks to five years.

  J-1 research scholars conduct research, observe, or consult in connection with a research project/projects. Their duration of stay also ranges from three weeks to five years.

  More information about J-1 professors and research scholars:

  • J status may not be used for tenure-track positions.

  • These positions may be paid or unpaid. Foreign university employees who are on sabbatical often pursue these categories. Outside funding or personal funding is acceptable.

  • The Office of International Affairs processes the DS-2019 immigration document after receiving an electronic application (e-form) from the host department.

  • Previous time that you have spent in J status may affect your eligibility to begin a new J-1 professor or research scholar program.

  • Participants may be subject to a two-year home residency requirement.

  • J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for work authorization. Work authorization provides a way for dependents to continue to pursue their careers while the J-1 is at IU Indianapolis. J-2 dependents may also study full time or part time.

• Short-Term Scholars

  J-1 short-term scholars come to IU Indianapolis to lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills. They may stay in the United States for a maximum of six months.

  More information about J-1 short-term scholars:

  • These short-term visits may be paid or unpaid. Foreign university employees who are on sabbatical often pursue this category for short-term visits.

  • The Office of International Affairs processes the DS-2019 immigration document after receiving an electronic application (e-form) from the host department

  • Participants may be subject to a two-year home residence requirement.

  • J-2 dependents may be eligible to apply for work authorization. Work authorization provides a way for dependents to continue to pursue their careers while the J-1 is at IU Indianapolis. J-2 dependents are also eligible to take IU Indianapolis courses full time or part time.

• Specialists

  J-1 specialists are experts in a field of specialized knowledge who come to the United States to observe, consult, or demonstrate special skills. They may stay in the United States for a maximum of one year.

• Student Interns

  J-1 student interns are engaged in full-time study at an institution outside of the United States. They participate in an internship program here to fulfill an educational objective for a degree program in their home country.