Exchange Visitor (J-1) Nonimmigrant Visa Categories
What's the difference between scholars and students?
There are a variety of academic and professional experiences for exchange visitors.
| Category | Definition | J-visa type |
|---|---|---|
| J-1 short-term scholar | Short-term scholars are limited to stay a maximum of six months. There are no extensions possible. Short-term scholars come to the United States for a short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train and demonstrate special skills. | Scholar |
| J-1 professor | A J-1 professor cannot be tenure track, and is considered to be a temporary employee. The primary purpose of J-1 professors is to teach, leacture, observe, consult and conduct research if permitted by the program sponsor. | Scholar |
| J-1 research scholar | Research scholars primarily conduct research, observe, consult and may also teach or lecture if permitted by the program sponsor. Like J-1 professors, J-1 research scholars have to stay in the United States for a minimum of three weeks, but can stay up to five years. | Scholar |
| J-1 student intern | A J-1 student intern is limited to a maximum stay of 12 months. UMKC will only host international students who are currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a postsecondary academic institution outside the United States. J-1 student interns may not fill a permanent or long-term position of employment in the United States. | Scholar |
| J-1 student | UMKC is designated to host international students at the bachelor, master and doctoral levels. The 12-month bar applies to J-1 students who wish to return in the J-1 professor/research scholar category. | Student |
UMKC J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Categories
- Exchange student
- Learn more at our J-1 Student Visa page.
- Research scholar and professor
- Minimum academic credentials - A bachelor’s degree or international equivalent
- Program activities - Research, teaching and lecturing
- Ineligible for tenure-track positions
- Length of stay - At least three weeks but no more than five years
- If previously in the United States in this J-category, please contact us to see if you are eligible to return. If you are subject to the 212e, 12- and 24-month bar, you may not be eligible.
- Short-term scholar
- Minimum academic credentials - A bachelor’s degree or international equivalent
- Program activities - Lecturing, observing, consulting, training or demonstrating special skills
- Length of stay - Maximum of six months with no option to extend
- Cannot change status to another category while in the United States
- Student intern
- Minimum academic credentials - Enrolled in a degree program outside the United States
- Program activities - Internship must fulfill an educational objective at home institution
- Must plan to return to home institution to complete degree
- Only available once per degree
- Length of stay - Minimum of three weeks but no longer than 12 months, with no option to extend
- Cannot change status to another category while in the United States