Visiting Exchange Scholars

Category descriptions and eligibility requirements for Professor, Research Scholar and Short-term Scholar:

Professor

The professor category is for a foreign national who enters the United State for the primary purpose of teaching, lecturing, observing or consulting at accredited post-secondary academic institutions, museums, libraries or similar types of institutions. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the sponsoring organization.

Professor must:

Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;

Not have participated in and completed a professor program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program;

Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a professor program unless he or she meet one of the following exceptions:

The participant is currently in a professor program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue his or her current J-1 program;

The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and

The prior participation was as a J-1 short-term scholar.

Research Scholar

This category is for a foreign national who enters the United States for the primary purpose of conducting research, observing or consulting in connection with research projects at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or similar types of institutions. A research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor.

The research scholar’s appointment to a position shall be temporary, even if the position itself is permanent. Incidental lectures or short-term consultations are permitted with the approval of the responsible officer so long as they are directly related to the objectives of the participant’s program, and do not delay the exchange program’s completion date.

Research Scholar must:

Not be a candidate for a tenure track position;

Not have participated in and completed a research scholar program within the last 24 months preceding the beginning date of their new program’s commencement;

Not have participated in a J-Visa program for all or part of the 12-month period immediately preceding the start date of a research scholar program unless they meet one of the following exceptions:

The participant is currently in a research scholar program and is transferring to another institution in the United States to continue their current J-1 program;

The participant’s prior physical presence in the U.S. on a J-visa program was less than six months in duration; and

Any prior participation was as a J-1 short-term scholar.

Short-term Scholar

Professors, research scholars and other individuals with similar education or accomplishments travel to the United States on a short-term visit for to lecture, observe, consult, train or demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions or similar types of institutions

Short-Term Scholars must:

• Be a professor or research scholar or someone with similar education and or experience.
• The maximum duration of stay is six months;
• No program extension or change of category will be considered;

Do not begin the form until you have determined the exact dates of your intended visit.

After you have the letter of invitation from the USI department, we will initiate your J-1 scholar visa application. Once that section is completed, the Center for International Programs (CIP) will issue the Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. The form allows you to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain a J visa to enter the United States. The CIP will send the DS-2019, along with a copy of your official acceptance letter from a USI department.

Save the acceptance letter that accompanies the DS-2019. It includes your USI identification number, required to create your USI email account and complete the check-in process upon arrival at USI.

If a child, spouse, or other dependent will accompany you, you must provide each individual’s name, date of birth, and relationship to you on the form. You will also be asked to upload a scanned copy of the passport photo page.

Most scholars submit signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school confirming their English language proficiency level. Your home institution may be able to provide this documentation for you. A letter (printed on official letterhead) from a qualified faculty or staff member indicating your proficiency will be sufficient. Ask the international office at your home university if they can help you.

If you choose to provide official language proficiency scores (TOEFL or IELTS)  or copy of a language program certificate, such documentation must be less than two years old.

A degree or certificate completed in an English-speaking country, multiple publications in English, or recent conference presentations in English will not meet U.S. Department of State requirements for language proficiency. 

The University of Southern Indiana will not initiate your visa application until you have submitted proof of English proficiency. Learn more about USI's English Proficiency Requirements here. 

The acceptance email from the Center for International Programs (CIP) will let you know what financial documentation is required for your visa. If such documentation is required, you must upload current financial documentation that lists the sources and amounts of financial support you have secured for your program. You may upload a letter from your home institution (on official letterhead) that states the financial support provided, a financial sponsor statement of support, or a copy of a recent bank statement (preferably with the currency converted to U.S. dollars). No other documents will be accepted.

Estimated costs per month for Academic Year 2024-2025:

(not included: airfare, immigration fees, preparation expenses)

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. The University of Southern Indiana (USI) academic year is nine months long and includes two semesters and two summer sessions. 

You are required to get an acceptance letter or email from the USI department that agrees to serve as your host and identify a faculty member that will serve as your supervisor. You should save the letter or email as a PDF.