The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is used by international visitors to come to United
States temporarily for research, teaching and other academic-related visits. The
duration of the J-1 visa is concurrent with the length of the academic program.
The J-1 visa category is reserved for international exchange visitors to partake
temporarily as researchers, professors, and any other academic-related visits. The
duration of the J-1 visa should be concurrent to the length of the academic program.
The University of California, Santa Barbara uses three categories of the J-1 visa
for visiting scholars:
- Short-Term Scholar
- Research Scholar
- Professor
Each category has specific requirements and validity periods that prospective visitors
should be carefully review before applying for the DS-2019 document from UCSB that
is used to apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate.
Dependents (defined as spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21) are permitted
to enter the U.S. under the exchange visitor’s visa status. They are recognized
in the J-2 status. Other family members such as parents, siblings and non-immediate
family are not eligible for J-2 status but may be eligible for B-2 classification
to visit the United States as a tourist.