J-1 Visiting Scholars

J-1 Categories 

J-1 visiting scholars at Penn include: 

1. Professors: Teach, lecture, observe, or consult. May also conduct research. 
   • Minimum: 3 weeks 
   • Maximum: 5 years 

2. Research Scholars: Conduct research, observe, or consult. May also teach or lecture. 
   • Minimum: 3 weeks 
   • Maximum: 5 years 

3. Short-term Scholars: Visit for up to 6 months to lecture, observe, consult, and participate in educational and professional activities. 
   • No minimum stay required 
   • Maximum: 6 months (no extensions) 

4. Specialists: World-renowned experts demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills. 
   • Minimum: 3 weeks 
   • Maximum: 1 year 

J-1 Appointments at Penn 

• J-1 scholar status is for temporary, “visiting” academic positions and cannot be used for tenure-track, regular faculty, administrative, or staff positions.  
• Departments should check their school’s internal policy regarding appointments and restrictions. 
• No Clinical Appointments: The J-1 program cannot be used for clinical appointments or for foreign medical graduates involved in clinical activities. Only the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) can sponsor such positions. 

Bars/Limitations for J-1 Exchange Visitors 

The 12- and 24-month bars are different from the two-year home country residence requirement. Any indication below that there is “no wait” time refers only to the 12- and 24-month bars. It is possible that a J-1 visitor has no wait time related to the 12- and 24-month bars – but is subject to the two year home residency requirement. 

The 12- and 24-month rule affects J-1 exchange visitors who have been in the U.S. on a J-1 visa previously, and wish to return, using the J-1 visa. The bars prohibit certain “repeat participation” in the Research Scholar or Professor categories only. Depending on what your previous J category was, you may be subject to a 12-month bar, a 24-month bar or have no bar at all. The following chart shows how long you would have to wait (the 12- or 24-month bar) before you could obtain a new J-1 Research Scholar or Professor visa based on what your previous J status was. If you have never before had J-1 visa sponsorship, then the bars do not apply to you. 

212(e) Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement 

Some Exchange Visitors are subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement. It requires you to return home for at least two years after your exchange visitor program ends. This ‘two-year residence’ requirement, which is explained on the back of your DS-2019, applies to you if you meet one of the following: 

• Receive Specific Funding: You receive any funding (including nominal travel grants) from your home government or if you are named in a U.S. government grant or fellowship specifically designed for exchange. 
• On the EV Skills List: The Exchange Visitor’s Skills List is a list of fields that have been identified by your home government as being in short supply. If your field is listed on the skills list for your home country, you may be subject to this requirement. 
• Medical Training: Your J status is sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). 

Check the Exchange Visitor Skills List if you are not certain whether your country and/or field appear on this list. 

At the conclusion of a J-1 program, the exchange visitor who is subject to this requirement must reside for an aggregate of two years (24 months) in their “home” country or receive a waiver of that requirement from USCIS before being eligible for (1) an immigrant visa of adjustment of status to US lawful permanent resident status; (2) an H temporary worker visa or L intracompany transfer visa; (3) K (fiancé) visa or (4) the ability to remain in the US and file a change of visa status through USCIS.   

Persons subject to the two-year home country residence requirement can return to the U.S. during this period in most other nonimmigrant statuses, including tourist status or on another J visa if they are not subject to the 12- or 24-month bar. 

NOTE WELL: Once the US Department of State recommends a waiver of the two-year home residency obligation, ISSS may no longer extend your DS-2019 beyond its current end date. 

J-1 English Language Proficiency Requirements 

J-1 Exchange Visitors must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of several established “objective measurements.” At Penn, this requirement can be met by one of the following options: 

1. Standardized English Language Tests 
   • Exchange visitors must provide test results directly to the host department, which will upload them to the iPenn J-1 application. Recognized tests and acceptable scores include: 
     • TOEFL Internet-Based Test: 80 cumulative, minimum 18 speaking  
     • IELTS: 6 cumulative, minimum 6 speaking 
     • Cambridge B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency: 169 
     • ACTFL OPI: Intermediate High 
     • TOEIC: Listening 400, Reading 385, Speaking 160, Writing 150 
   • All test scores must be less than two years old. 
2. Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) by the English Language Program (ELP) 
   • J-1 Exchange Visitors can satisfy this requirement by participating in an OPI conducted by Penn’s ELP. Results will be provided directly to the sponsoring department and reported to ISSS. 
   • For detailed information, visit the ELP website. 
3. Host Department Interview Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the above requirements must, at a minimum, be: 
   • Hosting departments may conduct their own interview to determine English proficiency. This can be done in-person, via videoconference, or by telephone. The interview must be documented using the English Proficiency Evaluation form. 

Exceptions may be made if the exchange visitor: 

• is a native speaker of English as evidenced by a passport from an English-speaking country such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, Canada. 
• has completed a degree at an English-speaking institution. If the institution is outside the US and is in a country where English is not the native language, there must be a signed letter/documentation from the institution confirming that English is the language of instruction for the degree program. 
• is transferring to Penn from an institution in the US.
• is already at Penn and would like to extend their program. 

Health Insurance for J-1 Visiting Scholars 

Coverage Requirements 

Federal Regulations require that Exchange Visitors and dependents obtain health, accident, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains insurance for the entire duration of their program.  Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the termination of the Exchange Visitor’s program. 

Insurance must provide the following coverage:  

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness
• Co-insurance paid by J-1 not to exceed 25% of covered benefits per accident or illness
• Minimum repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
• Minimum medical evacuation expenses in the amount of $50,000. 

Post Doctoral Researchers:  J-1 Exchange Visitors with a postdoctoral appointment should consult the postdoc portal instead. Penn’s postdoctoral insurance plan meets the Department of State’s requirements for J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents.  

Non-postdoc J-1 Visiting Scholars and Student Interns  

• Purchase a pre-selected J-1 Insurance Plan from Gallagher  OR 
• Waive the coverage requirement by submitting evidence of comparable or better insurance to Gallagher. 

Insurance plans provided by the university (other than the Post Doc plan) do not meet the Department of State’s medical evacuation and repatriation requirements. Scholars may purchase this coverage from ISOS or another provider. 

For questions about coverage or selecting a plan, contact Gallagher directly. 

J-2 Dependent Status for Spouse and Children 

Your spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) are eligible for J-2 dependent status. To learn more about the procedures for J-2 Dependents, please see our J-2 Dependents page. 

Prepare the Application 

This section provides information on Penn’s J-1 Scholar Application. 

Funding Requirements 

 Funding for J-1 Visiting Scholars (except Postdoctoral Researchers) 

• For the 2024-2025 academic year, a minimum of $28,078 per year ($2,340/month) will be required to support a J-1 Scholar at Penn.   
• An additional $6,000/year ($500/month)  is required for an accompanying spouse and an additional $4,000/year ($334/month) for each accompanying child. 

Funding for Postdoctoral Researchers 

Postdoctoral Researchers must be paid according to stipend levels set by The Office of the Vice Provost for Research. All Postdocs appointed or re-appointed on or after July 1, 2024 should receive these new stipend levels: 

Year of Experience	Minimum Stipend Level
0	$66,300
1	$66,810
2	$67,320
3	$67,830
4	$68,340

Source: https://postdocs.upenn.edu/news/new-minimum-stipend-levels-for-postdoctoral-researchers-for-fy2025/ 

• Immigration regulations require proof of sufficient supporting funds before an immigration document can be issued.   Funds may come directly from Penn, an outside organization, or from the individual’s own personal resources. 
• All documentation of funding must have been issued within the past 12 months. 
• Documents not written in English must be translated 

Bachelor’s Degree Requirement 

All J-1 scholars at Penn are required to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a field directly related to their program objective and have demonstrated relevant experience in their field of expertise. 

Special Documentation for Scholars with Non-Penn Site Activity 

In general, all J-1 scholars will conduct their activities at Penn. In rare situations, the J-1 activity might occur at a non-Penn site under the full, day-to-day supervision of a regular full-time Penn 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 a continuation of the Penn department’s on-going research projects/programs (note: while at a non-Penn site, the J-1 must only conduct Penn’s research) 
• Official relationship between the Penn department and the non-Penn site of activity 
• Name and title of full-time Penn faculty or PI who will supervise the J-1 program activity throughout the J-1 Scholar’s stay in the US 
• Funding arrangements at the non-Penn site (e.g. additional funding, new funding source, etc.) 

Special Documentation for Physicians 

Penn departments that sponsor foreign national International Medical Graduates (IMGs) in non-clinical exchange programs, either with no patient care or where patient contact is incidental to the physician’s primary activity of teaching, research, consultation, or observation, must include a letter in the J-1 Request Packet. This letter should be signed by the dean of the sponsoring School or the department chair and should be presented by the scholar along with the DS-2019 at the US consulate when applying for a Visa. 

No Patient Care 

If no patient care is involved in the J-1 scholar’s duties, the letter must state, verbatim: 

“This certifies that the program in which [name of the J-1 scholar] is to be engaged is solely for the purpose of observation, consultation, teaching, or research and that no element of patient care services is involved.” 

Incidental Patient Contact 

If incidental patient care is involved in the J-1 scholar’s duties, the letter must state, verbatim: 

• “The program in which [name] will participate is predominately involved with observation, consultation, teaching, or research. 
• Any incidental patient contact involving [name] will be under the direct supervision of a physician who is a US citizen or resident alien and who is licensed to practice medicine in Pennsylvania. 
• [Name] will not be given final responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. 
• Any activities of [name] will conform fully with licensing requirements and regulations for medical and health care professionals in Pennsylvania. 
• Any experience gained in this program will not be creditable toward any clinical requirements for medical specialty board certification.” 

Foreign nationals who wish to participate in clinical programs of graduate medical education or training cannot be sponsored by the Penn’s Exchange visitor program. The only J-1 exchange program authorized to sponsor foreign nationals as J-1 exchange visitors in programs of graduate medical education (GME) and training is the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).  

Fees

ISSS Internal Processing Fee 

• Standard J-1 Application Fee: $205 
• Affiliated Departments: $700 
• Late Fee: Additional $500 for J-1 cases with a program start date or extension start date of less than 30 days from submission. 

Penn Departments must pay using a 26-digit budget code. UPHS units can provide a 6-digit cost center code or a check payable to the “Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania.” 

Note: The fee is non-refundable once processing begins, even if the request is withdrawn. 

SEVIS Fees 

• Once ISSS issues an initial DS-2019 Form a SEVIS ID will be automatically generated. 
• To pay the SEVIS fee online, visit the SEVIS Fee website and enter Program Number: P-1-00183. For mail payments, follow the instructions on the SEVIS fee website. 
• Proof of SEVIS fee payment is required as part of the visa application at a US Consulate. 
• Citizens of Canada and Bermuda, who are waived from the visa requirement, must present receipt of a SEVIS fee payment when entering the US in J-1 status. 
• Scholars in the US applying for a change of status to J-1 must pay the SEVIS fee before submitting their application to USCIS. 

Visa Fees 

US Consulates will apply a fee related to your visa application. Please consult the US Consulate where you plan to apply for further information on the visa fee and application process. 

Responsibilities and Criteria for Hosting J-1 Scholars 

Hosting Department Responsibilities 

• Submission Timeline: Submit the request to ISSS 3-4 months in advance, but no later than 6 weeks in advance of the start date. 
• Academic Credentials: Ensure the scholar has appropriate academic credentials and English language proficiency. 
• Financial Support and Health Insurance: Verify the scholar and dependents have adequate financial support and health insurance. 
• Temporary Appointment: The appointment must be temporary, with the scholar planning to return home after completing their educational objective. 
• Valid J-1 Status: The scholar must be in valid J-1 status and under Penn’s sponsorship before starting the appointment. 
• Department Changes: Scholars cannot change departments without ISSS approval. 
• Additional Funding:  If the scholar will receive funding or additional funding, please notify ISSS prior to paying them. 
• Reinstatement: Reinstatement to legal status is rarely granted in the US. Scholars who lose their status must return home, with no guarantee of visa reissuance. 
• Valid Documents: Scholars must have a valid I-94 or US entry/admission stamp and a current DS-2019 reflecting their purpose at Penn. 
• Notification of Changes: Notify ISSS immediately of any terminations or departures of exchange visitors. 

J-1 Scholar Eform Application Instructions 

Request access to iPenn:  iPenn access can only be granted to full time staff, and only with authorization from your department chair/head.  In order to obtain iPenn access, complete this required iPenn Eform training on Workday Learning. 

Export Control/ Restricted Party Screening: Penn utilizes Visual Compliance for restricted party screening. The training can be accessed here: Restricted Party Screening at Penn (COURSE UP.87023.ITEM.NEWRESTPARTSCR, or search for “Restricted Party Screening” in Workday Learning). [Please note that section II has a clickable walk through instructions on how to register, will show up once you’ve reached the end of the training.] 

Important Steps to Maintaining Status

Employment/Activities 

You may only perform duties limited to the pre-established educational objectives as stated on your DS-2019. Any additional employment and/or volunteer activities must be: 

• authorized in writing by ISSS in advance  
• incidental to the visitor’s primary program activities; 
• directly related to their original objectives;  

Site of Activity 

• You must be physically present at the site of activity listed on your DS-2019 form for at least three out of the five days of the work week. 
• Although brief trips outside the US are allowed, you must be predominantly in the United States throughout your J-1 program. Long term or frequent trips abroad are not permitted, even if to undertake activities related to the J-1 program activity.  
• If you will be out of the US for longer than 30 days for a business-related activity, you must submit a “J-1 Scholar Notice of Absence from the US” in iPenn. 
• If during your absence you plan to work, you must receive additional approval from Penn Global Support Services. 

Documents: 

1. Valid DS-2019 
   • Monitor the program dates on your DS-2019 and be mindful of the end date. 
   • If your appointment at Penn is extended, the hosting department must contact ISSS to extend the DS-2019 at least six weeks before the current end date. 
   • Ending your J-1 program activity early will also end your J-1 sponsorship regardless of the end date of your DS-2019 form. 

2. Valid Passport 
   • Renew your passport through your home country consulate in New York or Philadelphia, or the embassy in Washington, DC.
   • The Department of State maintains a list of Foreign Embassies in the US. 

3. I-94 Form  
   • Ensure your I-94 (paper or electronic) is marked “J-1” and “D/S.
   • If there are errors, immediately consult an ISSS advisor. 

Health Insurance 

• Maintain medical/health insurance that meets J-1 Federal Regulations   (See below) 

Address Changes 

• Report any address changes in iPenn within 10 days so that we may update SEVIS. 

Health Insurance for J-1 Exchange Visitors 

Coverage Requirements 

Federal Regulations require that Exchange Visitors and dependents obtain health, accident, medical evacuation, and repatriation of remains insurance for the entire duration of their program.  Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the termination of the Exchange Visitor’s program. 

Insurance must provide the following coverage:  

1. Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;  
2. Deductible that does not exceed $500 per accident or illness;  
3. Co-insurance paid by J-1 not to exceed 25% of covered benefits per accident or illness;  
4. Minimum repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;  
5. Minimum medical evacuation expenses in the amount of $50,000. 

Post Doctoral Researchers: J-1 Exchange Visitors with a postdoctoral appointment should consult the postdoc portal. Penn’s postdoctoral insurance plan meets the Department of State’s requirements for J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents.  

Non-Postdoc J-1 Visiting Scholars and Student Interns must either: 

• Purchase a pre-selected J-1 Insurance Plan from Gallagher  OR 
• Waive the coverage requirement by submitting evidence of comparable or better insurance to Gallagher. 

Insurance plans provided by the university (other than the Post Doc plan) do not meet the Department of State’s medical evacuation and repatriation requirements. Scholars may purchase this coverage from ISOS or another provider. 

For questions about coverage or selecting a plan, contact Gallagher directly. 

Reporting Requirements 

All J-1 exchange visitors are required to report the following in iPenn: 

1. Within 10 days, any change in your US residential address, phone number, email address  
2. Changes to the site of activity, including changes in department, principal investigator (PI)  
3. Early and permanent departure of an accompanying J-2 spouse or dependent from the US prior to the Exchange Visitor’s departure date; 

Reporting of Incidents and Allegations 

 Per J-1 Federal Regulations, J-1 program sponsors (ISSS) must be notified of any serious matter involving an exchange visitor or accompanying J-2 dependents. The US Department of State (DoS) has indicated that any incident or event that impacts the health, safety, or welfare of J visa holders or that could bring the DoS exchange visitor program “notoriety or disrepute” is reportable. Further information and examples of what are considered reportable events is available here. If you have a reportable incident, please complete and submit the ISSS J-1 Exchange Visitor Incident Report. 

Occasional Lectures and Consultations     

• Professors, Research Scholars, and Short-Term Scholars may give occasional lectures and short-term consultations incidental to their primary activities, if approved by ISSS in advance. 
  • To work for any organization or in any role other than that described on your DS-2019 form, a J-1 scholar obtain approval in writing in advance using the J-1 Scholar Occasional Lecturers or Consultations form, which may be found under the J-1/J-2 Reporting section in iPenn.   
  • This authorization is meant for a one time off-campus event involving lecturing, consulting, or otherwise sharing expertise at off-campus institutions. It is not meant for extensive or ongoing off-campus employment. 
  • In order to be considered occasional, your external activities must be: 
    • directly related to your program objectives; 
    • incidental to your primary program activities; and 
    • not delay the completion of your Exchange Visitor program
  • If such activities will involve wages or other remuneration, the exchange visitor must be working as an independent contractor, not as an employee. 

Grace Period 

Exchange Visitors and their dependents will be permitted a 30-day grace period following their program end date or their DS-2019 end date, (whichever is earlier) during which time they may remain in the United States. 

• Exchange Visitors may not leave the US during the grace period and re-enter using the same Form DS-2019.  
• Exchange Visitors may not work during their grace period. 

Transferring Within Penn 

Scholars may change departments within the University if they can document that the change does not constitute a new “activity” (e.g., a different area or field of research). Such documentation takes the form of a letter from both the current and prospective supervisors, containing the following: 

• Current Supervisor: describes in detail the present duties of the scholar and proposing that the scholar continue to enhance his/her career through the new appointment. The present supervisor should demonstrate awareness of the nature of the new appointment, which should be related to the job function of the existing appointment. 
• Prospective Supervisor: notes the duration of the new position, describing in detail the duties the scholar will be performing, and stating that these are related to the research area or specialization of the scholar. The new supervisor should demonstrate awareness of the previous duties of the scholar. 

Upon receipt of these letters and J-1 Request Packet (eform) ISSS will prepare a DS-2019 form to reflect the new position. 

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 program sponsor. Once the program sponsor has transferred the J-1 scholar’s SEVIS record and the new institution has produced a new DS-2019, the J-1 scholar is then considered under the sponsorship of the new program. 
• The scholar may not accept any 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 Penn, the hosting departments should complete the J-1 Request Packet including the 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 Penn to another institution, please use the Transfer Out Request for J-1 Scholars. 

Notice of Absence Outside the US 

• Although brief trips outside the US are allowed, J-1 exchange visitors must be predominantly in the United States throughout their J-1 program. Long term or frequent trips abroad are not permitted, even if to undertake activities related to the J-1 program activity.  
• Scholars may submit their Notice of Absence by completing the J-1 Scholar Notice of Absence e-form under the J-1/2 Reporting header in iPenn. 
• Scholars are required to give notice to ISSS if they are going to be absent from the US beyond their accrued sick or vacation days. The absence from the US should not be more than 30 days unless it has been approved by ISSS in advance. 
• Absences of longer than 30 days must also be reported to Penn Global Support Services. 

Department of State Restrictions on Hybrid/Remote Work 

Per the Department of State Guidance Directive 2023-01 Exchange Visitors in the Research Scholar, Professor, and Short-Term Scholar categories must engage in their activities at the University of Pennsylvania in-person, on-campus, a minimum of 60% of the time. This means that you may work remotely no more than 40% of your regular work hours (a maximum of 2 out of 5 regular work days per week). Although brief, infrequent trips outside the US are allowed, you must be predominantly located in the United States throughout your stay, participating in your program at the site of activity indicated in Box 1 on your DS-2019. Long term or frequent trips abroad are not permitted, even if to undertake activities related to the J-1 program activity.