Generally, prospective exchange visitors must meet the minimum requirements outlined below, either for application or for maintenance of their J-1 exchange visitor visa status. In addition to these requirements, additional qualifications may be required based on the category of their Exchange Visitor Program (e.g., professor/research scholar or short-term scholar).
Degree Requirement
To qualify for a professor, research scholar, or short-term scholar program, the prospective exchange visitor must hold a bachelor’s degree which aligns with their research or teaching objectives at the time of application, although some exchange programs may have a higher degree requirement, such as a scholar participating as a professor or post-doc researcher. If there is a question as to whether the exchange visitor’s degree is the equivalent of a bachelor’s degree, a third party credentials evaluation may be necessary.
Funding
The scholar must provide proof of sufficient funding to support themselves and any J-2 dependents for the duration of their program or stay in the U.S. The current minimum monthly funding requirement to cover living expenses and health insurance is as follows:
- $3,000/month for the principle J-1 exchange visitor;
- $1,250/month for the first J-2 dependent (spouse or child)
- $1,250/month for each additional J-2 dependent (spouse or child)
Funding may come from HPU as part of the terms of the appointment, an outside source such as the visitor’s home institution or government, or personal funds. Non-HPU funding sources must be accompanied by recent (within the past 6 months) documentation on the organization’s letterhead, clearly indicating the amount of funding the scholar will receive for their program activities at HPU. Personal funds, such as bank statements, must also be recent, include the scholar’s name, and represent liquid (readily available) funds. If a family member will fund the exchange visitor, they will need to complete and submit a Sponsor Affidavit of Support form. All funding documents must be in English or accompanied by an accurate translation into English.
English Proficiency
Prior to issuing a DS-2019 form, the sponsor (OGE on behalf of HPU) must verify the visitor’s English language proficiency. The level of proficiency must be sufficient for the visitor to interact with English speakers, successfully participate in their exchange visitor program, conduct research at an American university, and to function on a day-to-day basis in an English-speaking environment. Aligning with our requirements for admission to an undergraduate degree program, scholars should be able to show a proficiency that meets or exceeds one of the following qualifications:
| Qualification | Minimum Proficiency Level |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | 80 The school code for TOEFL is 5293. |
| Duolingo | 105 |
| IELTS | 6.5 |
| TOEIC | 700 |
| Cambridge English Qualifications | C1 Advanced |
| MELAB | 77 |
| iTEP | 3.8 |
| SAT English | 500 |
| ACT English | 20 |
OGE requires scholars to upload documentation of English language proficiency prior to issuing a DS-2019 form.
Health Insurance
The Scholar must have and maintain U.S. health insurance for themselves and all accompanying family members for the entire duration of their DS-2019. Read more about the Health Insurance for Exchange Visitors requirement.
It is important to note that U.S. health insurance is required even during periods when the principal J-1 or any J-2 dependents are temporarily abroad during the program period. Scholars and dependents are required to provide proof of adequate insurance when they check in with OGE. Failure to maintain adequate health insurance for the principal J-1 and all active J-2 dependents is considered a violation of the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, which will result in termination of the J status for both the J-1 and J-2 participants.
Supervision & Program Details
The Scholar must have an HPU Faculty supervisor for the entire duration of their stay. Additionally, a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program must be a full-time opportunity (defined as a minimum 30 hours per week for J-1 Scholar categories), must be temporary in nature, must be non-tenure track, and must clearly outline duties that meet the specific Exchange Visitor Program’s objectives.
