Year-long and Block Visitors
What is a J-1 Exchange Visitor?
A J-1 Exchange Visitor is a visiting researcher, professor, or specialist from a country outside of the United States who has been approved to enter the United States for a specific purpose and for a limited amount of time. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) for the purpose of promoting international exchange of expertise and stimulating collaborative teaching and research efforts.
Important Characteristics of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
- Permanent or Tenure-Track positions are prohibited for J-1 Exchange Visitors
- Throughout their stay, J-1 Exchange Visitors and their dependents must have and maintain medical insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State requirements
- The Exchange Visitor must have demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to have a productive experience both academically and culturally
J-1 Exchange Visitor Categories
CC is authorized by the Department of State to bring the following exchange visitor categories to campus:
Professor & Research Scholar
A professor enters the U.S. to teach, lecture, observe or consult (but cannot be a candidate for a tenure track position). A research scholar researches, observes, or consults. Minimum of BA/BS degree with appropriate experience in the field is required. Minimum duration is 3 weeks, maximum is 5 years. Two-year (24 month) bar on repeat participation in the same category. This category is most frequently used with international year-long hires.
Short Term Scholar
A Short term scholar enters the U.S. for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating skills. Minimum duration is 1 day, maximum is 6 months. Repeat participation is allowed. This category is most frequently used with international block visitor hires.
Specialist
An expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skills, who enters the U.S. for the purpose of observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills or knowledge. Maximum duration is 1 year. This category is most frequently used with Cultural Program Coordinators (CPCs).
Student
For degree seeking students at CC. Duration of stay is limited to the length of the academic program. J-1 students at Colorado College must first apply for admission and be admitted to the college.
Hosting a J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV)
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) in The Center for Global Education & Field Study is responsible for administering Colorado College's Exchange Visitor Program and issues the Form DS-2019 that exchange visitors use to apply at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the J-1 visa to enter the United States. Hosting an international visitor in your department for the purpose of teaching and/or research makes you a participant in the Department of State's Exchange visitor Program at Colorado College.
ISSS Responsibilities:
- Facilitate the receipt of Exchange Visitor's DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility)
- Assist Exchange Visitor with any questions regarding the J-1 visa application process
- Ensure Exchange Visitor maintains valid J-1 status
Department Responsibilities:
Hosting International Visitors: An Overview - A step-by-step checklist to assist you
- Ensure EV is aware of their requirement to check-in with International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) in Armstrong Hall - Upon arrival EV will need to check in with ISSS in order to have their visa validated
- Assist EV with visiting Human Resources and the Tax and Compliance Manager
- Assist EV with applying for a Social Security Number (if they don't currently have one). - Upon check-in, ISSS will provide detailed instructions to EV for obtaining an SSN. The hosting department may need to provide the EV with transportation to the Social Security Office to apply for their SSN
- Assist EV with obtaining their CC Gold Card and be prepared to operate as the direct supervisor/colleague of the EV and be able to answer any logistical questions (desk space, campus tour, library use, clerical support, etc.)
- Notify ISSS of EV's who complete their program earlier than anticipated