International Scholars

A J-1 Exchange Visitor is eligible for the Exchange Visitor Program under the following circumstances:

• Not subject to the 12- or 24-month Bar.
• Not have applied for U.S. Permanent Resident status (green card).
• If the position at the University of Idaho is not tenure track.

Step 1: Find a sponsoring Department at the University of Idaho

Contact potential mentors, departments or research units to sponsor your visit to the University of Idaho.

• Office of Postdoctoral Affairs (OPA)
• Office of Research and Economic Development
• Careers at the University of Idaho
• A-Z Index of University of Idaho College, Departments and Offices

Step 2: Be offered an appointment that qualifies for sponsorship per institutional policy:

• Non-tenure track position
• Must pursue academic program objectives and engage in program-related activities only.
• Must comply with the U.S. Department of State and Department of Homeland Security regulations.

Step 3: Complete paperwork with your department and the International Programs Office

Your department and the International Programs Office will work with you to coordinate the submission of the necessary paperwork. Once the department initiates the process with our office, we will send you a link to complete your part of the application. Our office will process the appropriate paperwork that will enable you to apply for a visa stamp and enter the U.S. in the appropriate non-immigrant/immigrant status.

Standard processing time is up to 10 business days from receiving the request for the DS-2019.

Initial requests: departments should allow at least 45 days (excluding holidays) between submission of the DS-2019 request to IPO and the anticipated start date of the Exchange Visitor's program.

This allows for reviewing the forms, creating the DS-2019, SEVIS fee payment, visa application, visa processing — including any required background checks — and travel arrangements.

The U.S. Department of State requires that Exchange Visitors must “possess sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in his or her program.

We require proof of English Language Proficiency. Please provide one of the following:

• Test score results
  • IELTS score of 6.0 or higher
  • TOEFL score of 70 (internet-based)
  • TOEFL score of 61 (IBT)
  • TOEFL score of 525 (print-based)
  • English 3: Level 2.5 or higher
• Institutional or English language school certification
  • This certification must be in English, on letterhead, with the school's official signature and issued within the past six months to verify that the Exchange Visitor possesses English proficiency high enough to function daily with the University of Idaho position and local community.
• Diploma with Scholar's name
  • For graduates of U.S. schools; or
  • International schools that teach in the English language
    • Schools in the UK, Australia and New Zealand
    • Schools in Canada - A Canadian diploma can be used as proof of English proficiency. However, if the school is in Quebec, we will require supplemental documentation showing the primary language is English or other proof of English Proficiency.
• Verification statement from your University of Idaho department
  • To select this option, your University of Idaho department will interview you in English and submit a statement to us certifying your English language proficiency. Your department will provide us with this documentation.

A waiver is automatically granted for citizenship from the following English-speaking countries. Get a language requirements waiver.

All scholars must meet minimum monthly funding requirements for immigration documents to be issued to comply with federal regulations.

Ada County:

• Exchange Visitor Only: $2050/Month
• Dependents: $500 per month per dependent for the duration of the DS-2019

Latah County and all other Counties:

• Exchange Visitor Only: $1947/Month
• Dependents: $500 per month per dependent for the duration of the DS-2019

Required funding totals are estimates based on the average cost of living and health insurance costs in Latah County and Ada County, Idaho. Estimates do not include optional cost of living decisions (childcare, personal/leisure travel, extra-curricular classes, etc.). Minimum monthly funding rates will be evaluated yearly and will be adjusted based on cost-of-living estimates.

If the University of Idaho is providing you with a salary, you will need to upload your official invitation letter to the J-1 checklist application (Funding Information).

If the University of Idaho is not providing you with funding, you must upload documentation proving the funding to the J-1 checklist application (Funding Information).

Verify if the funding documentation matches the Funding Type that you entered in the Funding Section:

U.S. Government Organization Funds

Letter from the U.S. government indicating funding for purposes of international exchange.

International Organization Funds

Letter from an International Organization indicating funding will be provided to you.

Government Funds

Letter from your Home Country Government indicating funding will be provided to you.

Other Organization Funds

• Letter from a company/academic institution/employer/government agency, not a person, indicating funding will be provided to you, such as:
  • A foreign employer is paying you while you are on leave from your job, such as a sabbatical.
  • You received a scholarship that is distributing funds directly to you.
  • You have a fellowship from your home country’s government or the U.S. government.
• Funding organization/scholarship letter indicating the amount of funds and disbursement period.
• Employer letter stating the salary and that they will continue to be paid for the date range of the program at the University of Idaho. The letter should state the funding amount and frequency and that they will continue to pay this amount while you are at the University of Idaho, in the U.S., on sabbatical, etc.
• Please note: a pay statement or tax document cannot be used as proof of funding.

Personal Funds

• Bank statement showing your or a sponsor's funds.
  • Funding documentation from a sponsor (spouse, friend, family, etc.) must also include an affidavit of support, indicating the sponsor will support you and the amount of funding that will be provided for the date range of the program. The affidavit does not need to be notarized (a simple letter signed and dated).
• Evidence must show currently existing liquid funds. Not acceptable: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, pay statements, tax documents.

Visitors in J-1 and J-2 statuses are required to maintain health insurance coverage that meets U.S. Department of State requirements for their program duration as a condition of their participation in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The minimum requirements are listed on page two of the DS-2019; the minimum is intended to provide catastrophic health insurance coverage while on the J-1 program.

Minimum Requirements

Medical Benefits: $100,000 per person, per year or accident

Medical Evacuation: $50,000 to their home country

Repatriation of Remains: $25,000

Deductible: Cannot exceed $500 per accident or illness

Preexisting Conditions: Cannot exclude altogether coverage for preexisting conditions although it may require a waiting period for them.

Additionally, the insurance corporation underwriting the policy must have one of the following ratings: An insurance policy secured to meet the benefits requirements must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-I" or above, a Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above.

Please note that anyone in J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitor Status may also be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

Insurance coverage must be in effect from the start of the J-1 program through the end of the J-1 program with no lapses in coverage.

The medical insurance plans offered by the University of Idaho to employees do not meet the minimum requirements of the U.S. Department of State.

The University of Idaho offers Medical Evacuation and Repatriation (MER) coverage to all J-1 and their J-2 dependents.

Some supplemental Medical Evacuation/ Repatriation of Remains options:

• BETINS International Student Health Insurance
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance
• ** The Harbour Group **
• Atlas MedEvac Insurance

** The International Programs Office is providing companies used by our scholars but is not endorsing the services of any of these companies.

For scholars transferring their J-1 from another institution to the University of Idaho, Departments will need to submit a J-1 initial application. Additionally, the IPO will need the name and contact information of the scholars' current International Office Advisor to coordinate the transfer.

• J-1 scholars Transferring to the University of Idaho, IPO cannot issue the DS-2019 until the SEVIS release/start date.
• The start date here at the University of Idaho must be the day immediately following the last day at your prior institution. Gaps between program sponsorship (e.g., for a "vacation") are not allowed.
• International travel is not recommended when transferring between positions.

The International Programs Office will issue Form DS-2019 within ten days of a complete submission request. We will send your DS-2019 electronically.

When you receive your DS-2019 form, review the U.S. Embassy or Consulate websitewhere you will apply for your visa for location-specific information. U.S. consulates and embassies will generally require that you:

1. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. Print the SEVIS receipt and bring a copy to your visa interview. The SEVIS fee must be paid in addition to visa fees. *The fee does not need to be paid for J-2 dependents.
2. Submit the Nonimmigrant Visa Application.
3. Pay the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee, also known as the MRV fee.
4. Pay the Reciprocity Fee (only if applicable). Only a limited number of countries are required to pay a reciprocity fee. If you are not sure if you must pay this fee, contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy that you will be applying for your visa for confirmation.
5. Make an appointment to interview for the J-visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. The consulate will not schedule an appointment for you. Review these visa interview tips on the Department of State website.
6. Bring appropriate documents to your interview, such as your DS-2019 form, U of Idaho Appointment Letter, Financial Certification, Visa Application Confirmation Page, Visa Application Fee Payment Receipt and Passport (valid at least 6 months beyond your program start date).
7. View an overview of the J-1 visa application process on the U.S. Department of State website.

Canadian Citizens do not need to apply for a visa. However, Canadians must still present a SEVIS fee receipt and a valid passport, financial certification, University of Idaho appointment letter and DS-2019 form to CBP.

At the port of entry, your passport and DS-2019 will be date-stamped and returned to you. After U.S. arrival, go online to retrieve your Electronic I-94 Form.

Please note that J-1 scholars (and their J-2 dependents) can arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before the DS-2019 start date. This is strictly for settling in and preparing for your program; you may not begin work until the start date listed on your DS-2019 form.

We are required by the U.S. Department of State to provide the J-1 Exchange Visitor with an orientation program. Here at the University of Idaho, they are required to attend the IPO Immigration check-in and the J-1 Immigration Orientation.

At the immigration check-in, we will validate your arrival in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. The J-1 Exchange Visitor should complete the J-1 Immigration Check-In eforms in iVandal before attending immigration check-in.

The J-1 Orientation sessions are held at 10 a.m. on the second Monday of the month (excluding holidays). To schedule the orientation, J-1 Exchange Visitors can register at International Employee Orientation. At the J-1 Orientation, we will cover the following topics:

• Immigration Regulation
• Medical and evacuation/repatriation insurance and University Benefits
• Employment
• U.S. tax information
• Idaho Driver's License
• Intercultural and family programs
• Services provided by IPO

Orientation is required for all new J-1 Scholars at the University of Idaho.

Visitors in J-1 and J-2 statuses are required to maintain health insurance coverage that meets U.S. Department of State requirements for their program duration as a condition of their participation in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

Any exchange visitor who willfully refuses to comply with this requirement shall be in violation of his/her exchange visitor status. The program sponsor is obligated to inform the U.S. Department of State of exchange visitor non-compliance. Violation of this requirement shall result in the termination of the visitor’s SEVIS record and a loss of legal status in the U.S

Minimum Requirements

Medical Benefits: $100,000 per person, per year or accident

Medical Evacuation: $50,000 to their home country

Repatriation of Remains: $25,000

Deductible: Cannot exceed $500 per accident or illness

Preexisting Conditions: Cannot exclude altogether coverage for preexisting conditions although it may require a waiting period for them.

The medical insurance plans offered by the University of Idaho to employees do not meet the minimum requirements of the U.S. Department of State.

The University of Idaho offers Medical Evacuation and Repatriation (MER) coverage to all J-1 and their J-2 dependents.

Some supplemental Medical Evacuation/ Repatriation of Remains options:

• BETINS International Student Health Insurance
• Emergency Evacuation Insurance
• ** The Harbour Group **
• Atlas MedEvac Insurance

** The International Programs Office is providing companies used by our scholars but is not endorsing the services of any of these companies.

Your DS-2019 must be extended before your current DS-2019 expires. Your extension must be coordinated with your sponsoring department and submitted in iVandal.

Traveling Inside the U.S.?

The International Programs Office recommends that you take with you all related immigration documents for travel inside the U.S.

Traveling Abroad?

When making travel plans to travel outside of the U.S., we advise you to review your visa documents for reentry to the U.S. Moreover, if traveling to a country that is not your own, you need to check if you will need to apply for an entry visa for that country. To learn more about visa requirements, contact the country’s closest U.S. Embassy.

For information on travel to Canada and Mexico, please visit:

• Canada: Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• Mexico: Instituto Nacional de Migracion (visitor visas)

If your J-1 visa stamp is expired, you must plan for enough time to obtain a new J-1 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate while you are outside of the U.S. Visa stamps are needed when crossing the border, not for maintenance of status while you are in the U.S.

If you are traveling to Canada, Mexico or an adjacent island, you do not have to have a valid J-1 Visa to reenter the United States. Read the details about Automatic Revalidation on the U.S. Department of State's website.

Request your travel signature.

Required Documents for Re-Entry:

J-1 Exchange Visitors traveling to the U.S. are required to have a passport that is valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the U.S.

1. Valid passport (valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay in the U.S.
2. Valid, unexpired J-1 visa stamp in your passport.
3. Valid Form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature from the International Programs Office
4. Documentation listed above for any J-2 dependents traveling with you.
5. University of Idaho Invitation letter (optional)
6. Proof of current medical insurance (optional)
7. Proof of financial support (if funded by the U of I, this may be on your invitation letter) (optional)

Note: A leave of absence is required if your travel is for business and over 30 days or if your travel is personal and over 60 days.

If you decide to return to the U.S. without all your valid documents, you may be subject to secondary inspection. It will be at the sole discretion of the port-of-entry officer to grant you re-entry to the U.S. If you are allowed entry, you may be issued a Form I-515A. This allows a scholar to enter the U.S. for up to 30 days, within which time the scholar will report to the Responsible Officer at their institution for required documentation. The 30 days will be reflected on a date-specific I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (not stamped "D/S"). If you are issued a Form I-515A, please report to the International Programs Office for further assistance.

J-1 Research Scholars may travel abroad throughout their stay here. However, if the J-1 Research Scholars will be out of the country for more than 30 days for business/research or more than 60 days for personal travel, they should:

• Notify the International Programs Office by submitting a J-1 Leave of Absence Request Form.
• The extended leave of absence must be per their academic appointment agreement.
• Contact their department and HR for more information on leave of absence. If they are a paid employee of the University of Idaho, they also need to be aware that there may be policies restricting employment while outside the U.S.
• For extended absences of three months or more, J-2 dependents should accompany the J-1 principal.

J-1 Short-Term Scholars are not eligible for a J-1 Leave of Absence. If you are in one of these categories and will be outside the U.S. for a longer duration of time, you can contact ipo@uidaho.edu with any questions.

How to keep an active record while on Leave of Absence?

To maintain an active J-1 program during the leave of absence:

• The J-1 Leave of Absence Request Form must be submitted prior to the leave.
• The J-1 scholar must engage in on-going collaboration with the University of Idaho during the leave.
• The leave of absence must not exceed six months.
• The J-1 scholar must maintain the required level of health insurance coverage.
• If the date of return falls after the expiration of the current J-1 program, a DS-2019 Extension Application will need to be submitted via iVandal in addition to the Leave of Absence Request.

J-1 Exchange Visitors and Departments are obligated to notify the International Programs Office by email to ipo@uidaho.edu when a J-1 Exchange Visitor completes their program.

30-day Grace Period

• J-1 status allows for a 30-day grace period effective immediately after the end date on the DS-2019 or from the end date of your J-1 program activity, whichever comes first.
• J-1 Exchange Visitors may not work or be paid during this period, nor may depart and reenter the U.S.

Transfer to a Different Institution

J-1 Scholars should notify the IPO and their department if they would like to transfer to another institution. The immigration advisor at the new institution should contact IPO to request the transfer of the J-1 record.

We will need the following information from the prospective J-1 program institution:

• International Scholar Advisor contact name:
• International Scholar Advisor email:
• J-1 SEVIS program number (P-X-XXXXX)

We will need your current department to confirm:

• Confirmation the scholar is in good standing with the department.
• Confirmation the scholar has maintained their J-1 status.
• Last date of employment at the University of Idaho.

24-Month Bar against repeat participation

24-Month Bar

All J-1 Exchange Visitors in the professor or research scholar category (Box 4 of the Form DS-2019) are subject to a "24-Month Bar" on "repeat participation" in those categories. This 24-Month Bar will be in effect regardless of the duration of the program: whenever an Exchange Program in either of these two categories ends and the SEVIS record becomes "inactive," the five-year window is "closed" and the scholar must wait 24 months before beginning a new program as a J Professor or Research Scholar. Unused time from the five-year window may not be saved for use later.

This bar may have serious consequences for professors and researchers who plan to return to the U.S. in J-1 status for subsequent teaching or research appointments, whether at the University of Idaho or any other institution.

12-Month Bar

If an individual is present in the U.S. in a J status (e.g., J-2 dependent, J-1 student intern) for more than six months, then they will be subject to a 12-month bar prohibiting them from beginning a new program in the Research Scholar or Professor categories. After 12 months have passed with them not being in a J status, they will be eligible for a new program in either category.

Exceptions to this rule exist for Exchange Visitors who are transferring programs or who have been present in J status in the Short-Term Scholar category.

212(e): Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to spend a cumulative two years in their home residence country after their J program. If you are subject to this requirement, you cannot apply for H, L or permanent residence status unless you either spend a cumulative total of two years in your home residence country (time in other countries does not count) or obtain a waiver of the requirement.

Section 212(e) is a lifetime requirement in that it applies to you until the requirement is either fulfilled or waived.

Who is Subject to the 212(e)

You are generally subject to this requirement if any one or more of the following apply:

• Your J-1 program was financed directly or indirectly by US government and/or home government funding
• Your J-1 subject area has been designated as a desirable skill on Skill List by Country and Exchange Visitor Skills List.

If you are unsure if you are subject to Section 212(e), check your J-1 visa stamp and/or copies of your Form DS-2019. You should review all of your J-1 visas and DS-2019 since forms may they reflect different information at different stages of your J-1 program. If you were subject at any time, the requirement applies to you even if later visas and DS-2019 forms indicate that you are not subject.

If you are still not sure whether the two-year home-country physical presence requirement applies to you, after having reviewed the Eligibility Information webpage, you can request that the Department of State, Waiver Review Division conduct an Advisory Opinion. An Advisory Opinion is a review of your exchange visitor program documents to determine if you are subject to this requirement.

Fulfilling Section 212(e)

If you are subject to Section 212(e) and choose to fulfill it, you must be physically present in your country of nationality or last legal permanent residence for an aggregate of at least two years after departing the US at the end of your J-1 program. Because the two years of physical presence is in the aggregate, you do not have to reside in your country of nationality or legal permanent residence in a single, continuous two-year period.

Important: Always contact the International Programs Office before submitting a waiver application. Applying for the waiver prematurely will affect the scholar's current J-1 status. Once the waiver is recommended by the U.S. Department of State (DOS), they can no longer receive any additional benefits of the J-1 status, such as an extension of stay. Applying for a new J-1 visa stamp in their passport may resubject you to 212e.

The IPO is unable to provide further assistance with applications for waivers. In complex cases, scholars should consult with an immigration attorney.

212(e) Waiver

We recommend that J-1 scholars schedule an appointment with an IPO advisor before applying for the 212e waiver. DS-2019s cannot be extended and international travel is not recommended once a waiver recommendation is granted by the U.S. Department of State.

Once you have received a DOS recommendation of the waiver, it is also not possible to apply for a new J-1 visa stamp at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy. If you do, you will almost certainly be subject once again to the requirement.

Apply for a waiver of the exchange visitor two-year home-country physical presence requirement before applying for your waiver application.

You may request to add J-2 dependents before the beginning of your J-1 program (at the time of submitting your J-1 Initial eForms) or once you are already at the University of Idaho as a J-1 Exchange Visitor.

If you are in the process of coming to the University of Idaho as a J-1 Exchange Visitor, provide your family’s information (e.g. copies of passport biographical page, marriage license, etc.). If you are already at the University of Idaho in J-1 status and now want your family members to join you, or you recently got married or had a child born outside the U.S., submit a Dependent DS-2019 Request to our office along with a copy of your dependent's passport biographical page. IPO will review your request and issue the DS-2019s for your dependents within 3-5 business days of submission.

J-2 Dependents may apply for their visa stamp at the same time as the J-1 principal or separately after the J-1 has already obtained their visa. For complete details regarding the visa application process and to schedule your dependent’s visa interview, see the U.S. Department of State website. Review the website of your specific local U.S. Embassy/Consulate because directions and/or documentation requirements are often country and site-specific. Access the directory of local consulate websites.

The J-2 spouse/dependents should sign the J-2 form under the Signature of the Applicant unless the J-2 dependent is under the age of 14, in which case the J-1 exchange visitor, as the parent or legal guardian, must sign.

If the J-1 primary is subject to the two-year home residency requirement, all J-2 dependents are similarly subject.

J-2 Travel

The J-1 and spouse or dependent(s) do not need to travel to the U.S. together. However, J-2 dependents will need to have valid documents respective to their immigration status listed below:

1. Valid passport (minimum of 6 months into the future)
2. Valid, unexpired J-2 visa stamp in your passport.
3. Valid Form DS-2019 with valid travel signature from the International Programs Office

J-2 dependent family members may apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to accept employment. A job offer is not required, and a Social Security Number (SSN) can be requested with this form.

If approved, the J-2 will receive an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with no work restrictions. Employment must not be used to support the J-1 principal or the J-2 dependent(s), as regulations require the J-1 to have enough funds to support themselves and any dependents without requiring family members to work.

This page is a resource for spouses, partners and family members of international students, scholars and employees. To receive a list of our events, sign up for the Global Vandal Newsletter

J-2 dependents are eligible for the following benefits:

Primary and Secondary Education for J-2 Dependent Children

If you have a child (under the age of 21) who you wish to bring to the United States in J-2 status, they are eligible to enroll in elementary or secondary school. Find more information about school districts in Idaho.

Higher Education for J-2 Dependent

Your dependent (spouse/child) is eligible to go to school (college/university) part-time or full-time in J-2 status.

Work Authorization for J-2 Dependents

J-2 Dependents are eligible to work full or part-time during their stay in the United States.

Approval length is up to the discretion of the USCIS officer but is generally a year or the current end date of the primary’s J-1 program.

J-2 Dependents (Children)

If your child turns 21 while you are here, they will lose their J-2 status and need to change to another legal immigration status. Please go to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website for questions about changing status. You may also make an appointment to discuss change of status options with an IPO advisor.

The timelines listed below are from the date we receive a complete request. Standard processing time is up to 15 business days from receipt of a complete DS-2019 request and all required documentation, including the scholar fee.

IPO requires all initial J-1 requests to be submitted at least 45 days before the requested start date of the J-1 program.

All changes in site of activity, funding amounts or sources and/or significant changes in job duties, must be reported to the International Programs Office by email to ipo@uidaho.edu.

Scholars/Departments are obligated to notify IPO when a J-1 Exchange Visitor completes their program by emailing ipo@uidaho.edu.