# J-1 Scholar Visa

**Source**: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa
**Parent**: https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life

The [Exchange Visitor Program](https://j1visa.state.gov/), administered by the United States Department of State (DOS), allows Stanford University to use the J-1 scholar categories to host international researchers and instructors for prearranged periods of time.

- The J-1 Short-Term Scholar category allows an exchange visitor to enter the U.S. for as short a duration as a day, with a maximum duration of six months.
- The J-1 Research Scholar category allows an exchange visitor to enter the U.S. for a duration of up to five years.

Both categories allow the scholar to engage in research, collaboration, and teaching. Please watch [this video](https://youtu.be/lMOxtBQWiKE?si=zQ166UOiXmxtR3YC) for more information on the difference between these two categories.

Departments are responsible for requesting a J-1 visa document (DS-2019) from Bechtel International Center. A $200 one-time processing fee is charged to the department for each request, whether it is the initial request or a transfer request. This fee is non-refundable. Bechtel will process requests in 5 business days (with exception of transfer request, which are processed on the day of transfer).

Once Bechtel processes the DS-2019, the Stanford department and the scholar receive the DS-2019 by email (from Adobe Sign) and the scholar needs to print out both sides of the DS-2019.  Incoming J scholars use the DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate in the country of citizenship or permanent residence. Note that **Canadian citizens** do not need to apply for a visa but must pay the [SEVIS fee](https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901).

## Additional Information

See below for comprehensive information on J Scholars:

- [Visa Document Process for Scholars Coming to Stanford](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa/visa-document-process-scholars-coming-stanford)
- [J-1 Funding Requirements](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/departments/j-1-scholars/funding-requirements-j-1-scholars)
- [Applying for a Visa](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/applying-and-renewing-stanford "Applying for and Renewing a Stanford-Sponsored F or J Student Visa")
- [Repeat Participation Bar](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa/repeat-participation-bar)
- [Two-Year Home Residency Requirement](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa/two-year-home-country-physical-presence "Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement")
- [Maintaining J-1 Status for Scholars](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa/maintaining-status-j-1-scholars "Maintaining Status for J-1 Scholars")
- [Health Insurance](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/arrive-campus/new-scholars-arriving-campus/health-insurance-scholars)
- [Mandatory Confirmation of  Arrival at Stanford](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/arrive-campus/new-scholars-arriving-campus/mandatory-confirmation-arrival-stanford "Mandatory Confirmation of Arrival at Stanford")
- [J-1 Scholar Orientation](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/arrive-campus/new-scholars-arriving-campus/j-1-scholar-orientation)
- [Address Update](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/address-updates "Address Updates")
- [Travel](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/travel)
- [J-1 Scholar Extension](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa/j-1-scholar-extension)
- [J-2 Dependents](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa/j-2-dependents)
- [J-1 Scholar Off-Site Authorization](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/employment/j-1-scholar-site-activity-authorization "J-1 Scholar Off-Site Activity Authorization")
- [Transferring to or from Stanford](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/f-1-and-j-1-student-visas/transferring-f-and-j-sponsorship "Transferring F and J Sponsorship")
- [J-1 Scholar Departure](https://bechtel.stanford.edu/navigate-international-life/visas/j-1-scholar-visa/j-1-scholar-departure)

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