May 17, 2016

Requirements for J-1 Visa for Professors

To qualify for a J-1 visa as a professor in the U.S., the applicant must be accepted to participate in a certified professor exchange program in the U.S.

To participate in a professor exchange program, the applicant must be a professor in a foreign country, have proficient English language skills and have obtained a PhD or the highest degree possible in their area of expertise. Applicants may also be required to meet the sponsoring organization’s specific program requirements.

Furthermore, the applicant must not be a candidate for a tenure track position or have completed a professor exchange program in the 24 months preceding the start of the new program. Applicants who have held a J-1 visa during the 12 month period preceding the start of the professor exchange program may not be eligible. However there are some exceptions to this requirement.

J-1 visa applicants may also be required to meet certain health and character requirements.