J-1 Scholars

JMU hosts international research scholars and professors who enter the U.S. on J-1, exchange visitor visas. In order to qualify as a JMU professor or research scholar on a J-1 visa, you must:

• Have an agreement with JMU which details your duties and responsibilities and those of JMU;
• Have the monetary funds available to you for the duration of your stay. You may be able to satisfy this requirement with JMU salary, your home institution's sponsorship, family funds or other sponsor;
• Have the intention of returning to your home country after the completion of your program. The J-1 visa is a temporary visa, and when you visit the U.S. Consulate or Embassy to apply you will be asked about your intentions to return to your home country. Be aware that many J-1 visa holders are subject to a 2-year foreign residency requirement. This means that following your stay in the U.S., you may be unable to obtain certain other visas or immigration benefits until you have returned home for at least two years. See (link to web document) for additional information on the 2-year foreign residency requirement;
• Abide by all immigration regulations once you have entered the U.S., as further explained in Maintaining J-1 Status.