J-1 Exchange Students

Professor – an individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited educational institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institutions. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the host department.

Research scholar – an individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. The research scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the host department.

Short-term scholars – a professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions.

Student (Exchange Program) - Students who are pursuing a degree at a partner university can attend classes at NJIT as an exchange student.

Student (Prescribed Study) - Non-degree seeking students, who are pursuing a degree in their home country and wish to come to NJIT for a short period of time to undertake research. The research conducted at NJIT will be supervised under a specific professor/department and related to their degree back home.

Student (Degree-Seeking) - Students interested in pursuing a degree with NJIT should proceed to the Admissions for more information to apply. 

Professors or Research Scholars: Five years

Short-term Scholars: Six months

Prescribed Study Student (Non-Degree): Two years

Exchange and Degree Seeking students: Length of stay is determined by the program. 

1. The total period of J-1 authorization may not exceed the end date of your DS-2019.
2. J-1 EVs may not accept any employment, on or off campus, which is not listed on the form DS-2019 without first obtaining written authorization from a Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) at OGI.
3. J-1 EVs must maintain health insurance coverage that meets the university level of requirements, valid for the duration of the J-1’s program.
4. J-1 EVs should contact OGI prior to the end of their time with New Jersey Institute of Technology by email if the departure date is more than 2 weeks prior to the end date seen on the DS-2019.
5. Before traveling outside the U.S. with the intention of re-entering under the J-1 status, foreign nationals must have their form DS-2019 endorsed by an RO/ARO at OGI. You must inform your our office of any travel prior to your departure. This can be done via email stating the departure and return dates.
6. J-1 Exchange Visitors may not be out of the US for more than 30 days, while in active status unless previously authorized by OGI.
7. J-1 EVs must notify OGI of changes of address within 10 days of moving.
8. The foreign national's passport must be valid at all times, for at least 6 months into the future.

The J-1 Visa requires departments inviting J-1 Exchange Visitors to NJIT to follow specific rules and Regulations. Please find the information here.

J-1 visitors in the professor, research scholar or short-term scholar category must document funding of no less than USD 30,000 per year. Up to 49% may be from personal funds. Funding for J-2 dependents is also required. The minimum amount of funding documentation required for dependents is as follows: $650 per month for spouse; $300 per month for each child. The dependent amounts are required per visit, not per year, and may come from personal sources.

While the specific type of documentation will vary depending on the funding source, examples of evidence of funding might be: (1) a letter from your home university stating you (the visitor) will be on sabbatical; the dates of your visit to NJIT; the amount, in foreign currency, of salary you will receive during the period that you will be at NJIT; and that your home university supports the visit to NJIT for educational exchange purposes; (2) a letter from a government agency or other bona fide sponsoring agency outlining the funding amount, the terms under which the funding for your educational exchange program is being granted, and the specific dates during which the funding will be provided; 3) a bank statement in English or translated into English showing funds available.

If salary from home institution is used, it must specify that the J-1 visitor will continue to receive that amount during their time at NJIT.

J-1 visitors in the “student” category who will come to NJIT for research only (will not enroll in coursework at NJIT) must document funding of no less than the appropriate amount listed below, which is different for graduate students than for undergraduate students. Up to 49% may be from personal funds, the remaining must come from funding explained above.

Living expenses are estimated to be at least $2,000/month, with an additional $650/month if accompanied by a spouse and for each accompanying child. Funding for dependents can be self-funded. While the specific type of documentation will vary depending on the funding source, examples of evidence of funding might be: (1) a letter from your home university specifying the amount, terms, and dates during which the home university will provide you with funding; (2) a letter from an agency of your government stating the amount, terms, and dates of government funding; (3) for students using personal funds or participating in a formal exchange program, a copy of a current bank statement or letter from a bank showing that at least the amount of funding required for your J-1 visit to NJIT is available. The statement or letter should be in English or officially translated into English; if the bank account is not in your name, the owner of the account must certify in writing that he or she intends to provide you with the amount required.

If you have any questions about how to document funding for your visit, please discuss the matter with your host department at NJIT.

Upon completion of your exchange program, you have a grace period of 30 days to depart the United States.

You may use this time to shop, sightsee, pack, sell your car, etc.

Absolutely NO employment, NO research, and NO teaching or project work is permitted during the 30-day grace period. 

Do not cross the U.S. border during the grace period – you will not be able to reenter the U.S.

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement.  These exchange visitors must reside and be physically present in their country of nationality or last legal permanent residence for an aggregate of at least two years following completion of the exchange program and departure from the United States.  These exchange visitors are ineligible to apply for or receive an H, K, or L nonimmigrant visa, nor are they eligible for an immigrant visa or permanent residence until they have either complied with the foreign residence requirement or received a waiver.

You will be subject to the 212(e) if: 

(a)  You are participating in an exchange program financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by an agency of the U.S. Government, your home government, or an international organization which received funding from the U.S. Government or your home government

(b)  Your exchange program involves an area of study or field of specialized knowledge (Skills List) that has been designated as necessary for further development within your home country. The skills list can be found here. 

(c)  You entered the United States to receive graduate medical education or training.

(Professor or Research Scholar Category Only)

When your program ends, you and your dependents are barred from starting a new program in the J-1 Professor or Research Scholar Category for 24 months.

You can re-enter the U.S. in another J-1 category (except Professor or Research Scholar), or you may change to another non-immigrant status as long as you are not subject to the 2-year home residency requirement.

Once your program ends, you cannot utilize unused program time for extensions, transfers or to start a new program (even if your program ended prior to the 5-year maximum). 

Some Exchange Visitors may be eligible for the “Short-Term Scholar” category (up to 6 months)

(Student Non-Degree Only)

If you were present in the U.S. in any J-1 or J-2 status (other than J-1 “short term scholar”) for 6 months or more within a 12 month period, you are subject to a 12-month bar from participating in the categories of “Professor or Research Scholar.” This primarily applies to Prescribed Study Students (non-degree).