Opportunities, Challenges and Experiences
U.S. Department of State Certified
J-1 Visa DS-2019,DS-7002 자체 발행, 관리, 스폰서
The goal of the program is knowledge exchange, and as with most temporary visas, participants are required to return to their home country upon completion of the program.
Exchange visitors may face various constraints imposed by predefined educational objectives, such as conducting research in a specific field.
Additionally, changing J-1 status (e.g., from J-1 Research Scholar to J-1 Student) is not permitted.
The MIRI Research Foundation is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor exchange visitors coming to schools as students, professors, or researchers.
MIRI Research Foundation serves as the official administrator of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program at Midwest University and is responsible for adhering to program regulations. Schools or departments hosting foreign visitors have a specific obligation to ensure compliance with these requirements.
Most international professors/researchers in the U.S. are sponsored through the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
Applicants must provide documentation proving that they possess sufficient English proficiency to successfully complete the program.
If an individual has been in the U.S. on a J visa in the past 12 months, they are ineligible to receive a DS-2019 as a "Professor" (extensions or transfers excluded).
Visa sponsorship is officially managed by Midwest University. By legal requirement, J-1 professors/researchers must engage in roles equivalent to regular faculty or research positions. Faculty appointments are approved by the MIRI Board, while appointments for research scientists or similar positions are authorized in collaboration with the Midwest University International Office and the client partner. Please submit a copy of the proposal to MIRI.
Professors/researchers can maintain their visa status for up to 5 years.
Requests for an extension of stay must be submitted to MIRI 1 to 3 months before the expiration of the DS-2019
In accordance with procedures, professors/researchers will be issued a DS-2019, a government-controlled document that includes the commitments MIRI must adhere to. J-1 visa applicants must complete Form B (Form A is not required from the applicant). Form B, along with relevant documentation, should be submitted to Midwest University. To avoid delays, ensure that all documents are accurate before submission. The issuance and processing of the DS-2019 can take at least 10 to 15 days. Once the DS-2019 is issued, Midwest University will mail the original to the professor/researcher, who will then present it at the U.S. Embassy for visa processing.
Professors must adhere to procedural requirements and meet all documentation standards. For J-1 visa professors, it is essential to complete the official DS-2019 transfer process before receiving compensation. Employment for paid J-1 exchange professors is only permitted for the activities specified in the DS-2019 form (e.g., teaching and research at specific departments within Midwest University). Employment not listed on the DS-2019 is not allowed. In limited circumstances, J-1 professors may have opportunities to lecture or provide consulting services and receive compensation, but they must obtain prior written approval from the issuer of the DS-2019 form.
A separate DS-2019 form must be issued for each family member. J-2 visas, based on the DS-2019, are issued to spouses and children (under 21 years old) and may take up to three months to process.
The J-1 visa comes with a "Two-Year Home Residency Requirement,"which mandates that exchange visitors must reside in their home country for two years after their J-1 visa expires before they are eligible to apply for permanent residency or other non-immigrant visas, such as H, K, or L visas. This requirement applies to individuals financially supported by the U.S. government (e.g., funds allocated for educational exchange programs such as Fulbright grants) or supported by their home government (including travel grants). Additionally, the two-year home residency requirement applies to individuals possessing skills listed on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, as well as foreign medical graduates entering the U.S. for internships or educational programs. Under certain circumstances, it is possible to apply for a waiver of the two-year home residency requirement.
For J-1 professors and researchers, even if their program participation period is less than 5 years, a 24-month (2-year) restriction on re-participation applies to those who have completed a J-1 professor or researcher program. This 24-month restriction is separate from the "Two-Year Home Residency Requirement" and affects individuals wishing to return to the U.S. in the same field as a J-1 researcher or professor.
This restriction also applies to J-2 dependents of professors or researchers. Short-term professors are exempt from the 24-month restriction.
All exchange visitors and their families must maintain health insurance coverage for the entire duration of their stay on a J visa, covering both illness and accidents.
Failure to maintain health insurance may result in the termination of their visa status.
Detailed requirements are outlined in the attached Form B Prospective J-1 Scholar Data Sheet.
Upon arrival, you must visit MIRI with your passport, I-94, DS-2019, and other relevant documents. Health insurance certificates for J-1 and J-2 visa holders must be submitted at check-in. Failure to complete the MIRI check-in process can have serious legal implications for your status in the U.S. To comply with new federal reporting requirements, you must promptly notify MIRI of any changes related to your arrival, extension, transfer requests, program completion, or departure.
* All documents must match your passport exactly in terms of name, date of birth, nationality, and personal signature. Please scan all documents and send them to the following email address: (miri@midwest.edu)
Hosting foreign nationals as J-1 exchange visitors for temporary teaching, attending lectures, consulting, or conducting research is sponsored by Midwest University. Each department must submit all required documents listed below to MIRI. MIRI must receive all documents before determining visa sponsorship through Midwest University.
Processing of documents by MIRI, including SEVIS record creation and DS-2019 issuance, may take 10 to 15 business days after receiving all necessary paperwork.
This form must be completed by Midwest University and submitted to MIRI along with the applicant’s Form B and all related documents.
For unpaid researchers, include a copy of the official invitation letter.
It must be confirmed that the applicant has sufficient English language skills to successfully complete the program.
New federal regulations require documentation of English proficiency through one of the following options:
A documented interview conducted directly by the sponsor via video call or phone (if video call is not possible).
Alternatively, official English test scores - Midwest University standards: TOEFL (minimum score of 80) or IELTS (minimum overall score of 6.0, with individual scores of 5.0 or higher).
Scholar Data (Completed by the prospective visitor) & Immigration Documents. Form B must be submitted along with all relevant documents.
Note: Applicants currently in the U.S. on a J-1 visa or those who have held J-1 status within the past 3 years must include the following additional documents with Form B:
- A photo from the current or previous DS-2019 - A copy of the I-94 (for both J-1 professors/researchers and their dependents)If full funding is provided through Midwest University, multiple copies of relevant documents will be sufficient. However, prospective exchange visitors not receiving full funding through Midwest University must provide proof of financial support with Form B. Financial details will influence the decision of U.S. embassy or consulate officials regarding visa issuance. Therefore, all information must be accurate.
Documents must be originals, written in English, and displayed in U.S. dollars. They should also be dated within the last three months. Exchange visitors may not receive a salary from other institutions in the U.S. while at Midwest University, though exceptions may apply depending on specific circumstances.
Before the DS-2019 is issued, professors/researchers must sign the approval section of Form B to comply with J-1 exchange visitor health insurance requirements. Insurance coverage must be arranged for the entire duration specified on the DS-2019, either before arrival or immediately upon arrival, for both the J-1 professor/researcher and J-2 dependents. For detailed information on insurance policies and providers that meet federal requirements, refer to the Form B Prospective J-1 Scholar Data Sheet or contact MIRI.
- Note: Failure to maintain the described coverage or inaccurately specifying insurance limits may disqualify the professor/researcher from participating in the program or employment. - Any changes to the professor/researcher’s status or program must be reported to MIRI and receive prior approval.