J-1 Exchange Visitor Scholar/Professor Department Request

Transcription

1 J-1 Exchange Visitor Scholar/Professor Department Request The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the US Department of State. Effective January 2015, a number of provisions concerning the eligibility requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) sponsorship changed, and, as a result, so has the process of sponsoring J-1 scholars and professors. Please read this information carefully and completely before submitting a request for sponsorship to the ISSS. Please submit only completed packets to the ISSS for processing; incomplete packets will delay processing. Exchange Visitor Qualification Requirements 1. Participant has acquired a graduate level education (i.e. master s or doctorate) or has a minimum of a bachelor s degree with several years of experience in the field or area of research. 2. Participant must demonstrate "sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, to successfully participate in an exchange visitor program and to function on a day-to-day basis." [22 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations 62.11(a)(2)]. A prospective EV can establish proficiency in English by either: a. Submitting a TOEFL/IELTS score, less than 2 years old from the date of submission that meets minimum score requirements; or b. Satisfactory completion of the Scholar Oral Proficiency Assessment, administered by Stevens English Language Communications (ELC) department. Please contact Sophie Hales at shales@stevens.edu or x5370 for more information. 3. Must possess sufficient funds for the entire length of the program. 4. Have health and accident insurance for the duration of the exchange program for him/herself and family members for the entire duration of the program Request for Sponsorship Contact the ISSS office to discuss your plans for hosting an EV. ISSS will help you determine what category will be appropriate given the proposed program activities and length of stay. Descriptions of each category can also be found under Eligibility Requirements on the J-1 Scholars page. Submit request for sponsorship no later than two months before the expected program start date to avoid unnecessary delays in program participation. The visa application process alone may take 4-8 weeks or longer in some cases. Processing Time Once all documents have been received by ISSS and the English proficiency determined, ISSS will process a DS in 5 to 7 business days and mail it directly to the EV.

2 Restrictions An EV may be required to comply with the 2 Year Home Residence Requirement if s/he receives funding from the U.S. government, home government or an international organization, or worked or studied in a field that appears on the "skills list." The skills list is a list of fields of specialized knowledge and skills that are needed in the exchange visitor s country of last permanent residence. An EV may also become subject to the two-year repeat participation bar under the research scholar or professor categories. Please see the Eligibility Requirements section of the J-1 Scholars page on the ISSS website for further details. Checklist of Required Documents Submit the following documents as one complete packet to ISSS (cross@stevens.edu): 1. Section 1, Completed by Department 2. Section2, Completed by Prospective EV 3. Section 3 (if applicable), Completed by Prospective EV only if dependents will be traveling with EV to the US 4. Original Offer/Appointment Letter (all letters must be issued by the Office of Human Resources) 5. EV s Curriculum Vitae 6. Financial Support Documentation (if not fully funded by Stevens). a. Financial support may consist of sponsorship letter from EV s home institution, original or notarized copied bank statements/letter, US/foreign government sponsorship letters, home country employer, international organization, etc. All financial documents must be in the English language. 7. Copy of passport identity page for self and any dependents that accompany EV 8. If requesting dependent DS-2019, proof of relationship, translated into English if necessary a. (Ex. Marriage certificate, birth certificate) 9. If already in the U.S., copy of previously issued DS-2019 or I-20 Forms for self and dependents, if any. Financial Support Requirement EVs are required to demonstrate proof of financial support for the duration of the program, and those funds must be immediately available upon arrival in the U.S Minimum financial support amount per month in US dollars: Scholar $1, Spouse $ Child (each) $400.00

3 SECTION I: J-1 Exchange Visitor Request To Be Completed by Sponsoring Department/Faculty Supervisor Department Administrative Contact (Name/ /Phone) Kuali/Fedex Account # to bill for shipping Faculty/Sponsor Contact (Name/ /Phone) Last Name of EV First Name of EV Start Date End Date J-1 Category Requested (please check one) See ISSS website for category explanations Field of Research (i.e. Biomedical Engineering, Computer Science, etc.) Description of Proposed Activities Research Scholar (Maximum 5 Years) Professor (Maximum 5 Years) Short Term Scholar (Maximum 6 Months) As the faculty supervisor to the exchange visitor, I understand the terms of sponsorship under Stevens Exchange Visitor Program, and I agree to abide by the following terms: I am responsible for monitoring the day-to-day work, activities, and progress of the EV. During the EV s program participation, I will not be on sabbatical or away for a prolonged period of time I will ensure that the EV reports to ISSS upon arrival for US government check-in and orientation within 5 days of the program start date. I will notify ISSS of any changes to the EV s program, including the EV failure to comply with the original objective of the exchange program. I will notify ISSS of changes in arrival & departure date, and if the EV departs Stevens/the U.S. before the agreed program completion date stated on DS-2019, I understand that the EV and dependents must have health and accidental insurance throughout the duration of their program as mandated by federal regulations Signature of Faculty Sponsor & Date Signature of Department Head & Date

4 SECTION II To Be Completed by Exchange Visitor Last Name (as in Passport) First/Given Name (as in Passport) Gender (Male/Female) Occupation in Home Country (graduate student, professor, etc.) Mailing Address (Street address, city, state/province, postal code, Country) Telephone Number Address Have you previously been in the United States in J-1/J-2 status? No, I have never been in J-1/J-2 status in the United States. Yes, I was in J-1/J-2 status for the following time period(s): Financial Support Requirement You are required to demonstrate proof of financial support for the duration of the program, and those funds must be immediately available upon arrival in the U.S. Financial support may consist of sponsorship letter from your home institution, original or notarized copied bank statements/letter, US/foreign government sponsorship letters, home country employer, international organization, etc. All financial documents must be in the English language. Minimum financial support amount per month in US dollars: Scholar $1, Spouse $ Child (each) $ I affirm that I have read the Maintenance of Status information on Stevens J-1 Scholar website and understand the terms and responsibilities for participation under Stevens Exchange Visitor Program, and that I agree to abide by the following terms: I have read the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Participants page: I understand and agree to abide by the terms of my program participation as outlined in Stevens offer/appointment letter. I understand I am only authorized to engage in program activities as outlined in Stevens letter and on my DS-2019, and may not engage in outside employment. I understand that I must have health and accidental insurance that meets the Department of State requirements for Exchange Visitors for the duration of the program, and that I must present evidence of same to ISSS. Further, I understand that I must provide evidence of medical insurance for any dependent(s) (spouse/minor children) in J-2 status that accompany or follow to join me at a later date. Signature of Exchange Visitor and Date

5 SECTION III Dependents Dependents accompanying or following to join an Exchange Visitor (EV) require their own DS-2019s to apply for a visa and to be admitted to the U.S. in J-2 status. Dependents, for the purpose of visa sponsorship, consist of a spouse and minor children. Dependents in J-2 status will be required to have, and present evidence of health insurance coverage for the duration of the EV s program participation. This is true even if the J-2 will be making short, occasional visits to the U.S. in J-2 status. Dependents who come for short visits only may want to consider a tourist visa (B-2) to visit the U.S. Dependent 1 Last Name (as it appears on Dependent 2 Last Name (as it appears on Dependent 3 Last Name (as it appears on