The J-1 category is suitable for scholars coming to Northwestern University as visiting researchers, professors, and lecturers.

J-1 exchange visitors may receive a salary or stipend from various parties. They can receive funding from Northwestern, the government, private organizations, their current place of employment (outside the U.S.), or personal funds.

Staff positions hired through human resources cannot hold J-1 visa status; please see the H-1B for Departments page for more information on hiring scholars for staff positions.

The information on the following pages has been created specifically for NU Departments hiring individuals in the J-1 visa category. Information can be found regarding:

          Types of J-1
          Department Information for Applying for a J-1
          Useful Information for departments sponsoring J-1 scholars

TYPES OF J-1

There are different types of J-1 categories that NU departments may request from the International Office for incoming visiting scholars.  Brief information can be found below regarding each. For comprehensive information regarding each category, please review the Types of J-1 Visas Table.

Short-Term

• For individuals coming to NU to lecture, observe, consult, train staff, demonstrate special skill(s)
• For individuals who held one the following positions in their home country: Professor, Researcher, Post-doc or Pre-doc/Graduate Student, Similar credentials (Doctors, attorneys, etc.)
• Duration of visit is somewhere between 1 day and 6 months
• Individual may return in this category an unlimited amount of times

Research

• For individuals coming to NU to conduct research, observe, consult, teach, or in connection with a research project
• For individuals who held one the following positions in their home country: Professor, Researcher, Post-doc or Pre-doc/Graduate Student, Similar credentials (Doctors, attorneys, etc.)
• Duration of visit is somewhere between 3 weeks and 5 years
• Individual cannot return in this category before fulfilling the 24 month bar.  (For further information, see the Important J-1 Visa Regulations section of our website.)

Professor

• For individuals coming to NU to teach (primary focus), lecture, observe, consult, research
• For individuals who held one the following positions in their home country: Professor, Researcher, Post-doc or Pre-doc/Graduate Student, Similar credentials (Doctors, attorneys, etc.)
• Duration of visit is somewhere between 3 weeks and 5 years
• Individual cannot return in this category before fulfilling the 24 month bar.  (For further information, see the Important J-1 Visa Regulations section of our website.)

*For more complete information on our Intern/Trainee program, please access the J-1 Intern/Trainee page.

DEPARTMENT INFORMATION FOR APPLYING FOR A J-1

J-1 Requests are processed internally with the International Office. Once the NU department has gathered the documentation required on the J-1 Request Form, the IO advisor will create a DS-2019 for the Exchange Visitor (EV) to obtain his/her J-1 visa stamp at the U.S. embassy/consulate outside the U.S. The DS-2019 and the J-1 visa stamp are required for proper entry to the U.S.

During the J-1 request process there will be three main points of contact:

1. An advisor from the IO assigned to your case;
2. the contact person in your hiring department handling the paperwork; and
3. the Exchange Visitor. 

Timeline information:

Internal Processing Time:
International Office processing time for DS-2019's are currently two weeks.

External Processing Time:
Varies depending on current situtation of Exchange Visitor.   

For EV's currently outside the U.S.- processing time varies by embassy or consulate. Please make sure the EV checks the local embassy/consulate website for processing time and procedures.

For EV's applying for a Change of Status (COS) within the U.S.- EV will file Form I-539 with USCIS and wait for the Change of Status Approval Notice before the EV can begin employment.  Note: The Receipt notice is sent approximately 3 to 4 weeks after submission and the Approval is sent approximately 3 to 4 months after receiving the petition. 

Please keep in mind USCIS processing times are subject to change based on processing volume. 

Application process:

1. Review the J-1 Request Form and send the EV pages 2, 3, 4, and 6 for their signature, review and completion.
2. Collect these pages and supporting documentation from EV
3. Complete pages 1, 3, 4, 5, 6
4. Submit for internal department signatures and compile (using the checklist on page 6 of the Request Form) for submission to the IO. 
5. Once the IO receives the request, you will receive an email from the IO. 
6. The IO advisor assigned to your case will review the documents and email the department contact if any information/clarification is needed.
7. Once the DS-2019 has been created, the department contact will receive an email to pick up the DS-2019 and supporting documentation to send to EV for them to prepare for their visa appointment.

USEFUL INFORMATION FOR DEPARTMENTS SPONSORING J-1 SCHOLARS

J-1 Extension applicants:
Please refer to the Types of J-1 Visas table to learn the maximum an EV can remain in their current J-1 category. Note: The maximum for Research Scholar/Professor categories is five years, while the maximum for the Short-Term category is 6 months.

J-1 Transfer applicants:
If the J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) is transferring to a Northwestern department from another NU department or another non-profit institution, the EV must complete the J-1 Transfer Form and submit it to the IO with the J-1 Request Form. Note: The IO can only produce the DS-2019 from Northwestern on/after the day that the previous institution transfers the DS-2019 record.

J-2 Dependent(s) applicants:
If the J-1 Exchange Visitor is bringing dependents with them to NU, the IO will create a DS-2019 for each dependent listed on the J-1 Request Form. If the J-1 is being extended, the J-2 dependents will also be extended. If you have a J-1 scholar in your department who later decides to bring dependents, please refer him/her to the J-2 Request Form and have them submit it directly to their IO Advisor.

Changes in EV's status:
If there are any changes in your J-1 Exchange Visitor's status that will end their J-1 term at Northwestern such as obtaining permanent residency, changing to another status, employment with another institution, resignation, or termination, please submit the J-1 Departure Notice to our office.  Upon receipt, the IO will update the EV's SEVIS record within 7 days of the end date confirmed on the notice.