The J-1 Exchange Visitor status is the most frequently used visa status for international
visitors at UCSB and is comprised of three categories:
- J-1 Short-Term Visitor
- J-1 Researcher
- J-1 Professor
At UCSB, the host department initiates the procedure to bring the prospective visitor
to UCSB in the J-1 visa status by sending an email invitation to the visitor using
the online request system. The visitor completes
the online application form and submits it for the UCSB department to review and
then forward to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
- It takes approximately 4 days to process the on-line request for the DS-2019 form
that is sent to the visitor to use to apply for the J-1 visa at the U.S. consulate
abroad.
- The period of stay depends on the category:
- Short-Term Visitor from 1 day to maximum of 6 months. No extension possible.
- Researchers and Professorsfrom 3 weeks to maximum of 5 years.
- J-1 employment is restricted to academic employment only and must be paid from academic
funding sources. In other words, the J-1 cannot hold an administrative staff position.
- The J-1 visa holder can be put onto academic payroll, no special authorization is
required.
- The J-1 may only be employed with Immigration approved employer(s) indicated on
form DS-2019, or for "short-term consultations or lectures" away from UCSB - but
related to their UCSB academic purpose. Click here for instructions for applying
for this special authorization.
- The J-1 visa holder may have a possible obligation to return to home country.
- Current J-1 Visitors who wish to extend their J-1 program must submit a request
to their UCSB Department. The Department will then provide an "authorization memo",
attach it to the J-1 Extension Request form
and submit it to OISS by campus mail or fax.
J-1 Dependents
The J-1 visa holder’s dependents are eligible for the J-2 visa status.
- A J-2 dependent may enroll as a student although it is to their advantage to change
their immigration status to a student status in their own right.
- A J-2 dependent may request employment permission from Immigration after they have
entered the U.S. The application should be submitted with OISS assistance.Immigration’s
decision is based upon the demonstrated need of the J-2 dependent.