J-1 exchange VISITOR

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is designed to support international educational and cultural exchange and to encourage mutual understanding between the United States and other nations. Through this program, the Office of International Programs at UTEP welcome J-1 Exchange Visitors who come to the university for academic research, teaching, or specialized activities.

The J-1 category is commonly used for individuals appointed to temporary academic roles such as visiting faculty, postdoctoral researchers, visiting scholars, and other short-term academic positions. For detailed information about the Exchange Visitor Program, please visit the U.S. Department of State website at Exchange Visitor Program.

The Office of International Programs welcomes eligible international visitors for J-1 Exchange Visitor visas under the following Department of State categories:

Professor
Research Scholar
Short-Term Scholar
Student Intern
Students (Degree or Non-Degree Seeking)

Categories and Maximum Length of Stay

The total duration of a J-1 Exchange Visitor’s program depends on the category indicated in Section 4 of the DS-2019. For individuals transferring from another U.S. institution, please note that the maximum stay includes any previous and consecutive time already spent in that same J-1 category.

J-1 Categories and Maximum Length of Stay

J-1 Category	Primary Purpose at UTEP	Maximum Length of Stay	Subject to 12- or 24-Month Bar?
Research Scholar	Conduct research; may also teach, lecture, consult, or observe in academic settings.	Up to 5 years	Yes, 24-Month Bar applies
Professor	Teach or lecture; may also conduct research, consult, or observe in academic settings.	Up to 5 years	Yes, 24-Month Bar applies
Short-Term Scholar	Engage in research, teaching, lecturing, consulting, or observing special academic projects.	Up to 6 months	No, bars do not apply
Specialist	Observe, consult, or demonstrate specialized knowledge or expertise; cannot teach or conduct research. Must show exceptional skill in their field.	Up to 12 months	Yes, 12-Month Bar applies if the program lasts 6+ months
Student Intern	Student enrolled in a degree program at a postsecondary institution outside the U.S., coming to complete an internship under the supervision of UTEP faculty. See J-1 Student Intern requirements for full details.	Up to 12 months; internship must end before the student’s home-university graduation date.	Yes, 12-Month Bar applies if the program lasts 6+ months

Eligibility

Who qualifies for J-1 sponsorship?

To be eligible for J-1 sponsorship through the Office of International Programs at UTEP in the scholar categories (Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, or Specialist), applicants must:

Hold an approved temporary academic appointment or affiliation with UTEP (positions cannot be tenure or tenure-track);
Demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency for their academic or professional activities;
Provide acceptable documentation of financial support for the duration of their stay;
Have the appropriate academic background — typically a master’s degree or higher, or a bachelor’s degree accompanied by equivalent professional experience.

Some individuals may not qualify for the Research Scholar or Professor categories if they have previously held J status, due to specific eligibility restrictions.

J-1 Student Interns must meet additional, detailed requirements. Please refer to the Student Intern section for full eligibility information.