Hosting International Scholars
High Point University > Global Education > Immigration Matters > Hosting International Scholars

Become Part of HPU's Exchange Visitor Program!

HPU has been designated by the U.S. Department of State to host international students and scholars under our Exchange Visitor Program, sponsoring their J-1 immigration visa. The Office of Global Education invites HPU's colleges, schools, and academic departments to propose the sponsorship of an international scholar to engage in research, teaching, lecturing, observation, consultation, and similar scholarly work in the U.S. Let us know how we can help!
Cottrell Hall 142
(336) 841-9051
[email protected]
Weekdays, 8:00am — 5:00pm

Chris Ferguson
Christopher Ferguson
Assistant Director of Global Education & Responsible Officer for HPU's Exchange Visitor Program
Let's meet to discuss your proposal
The Purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program
The purpose of the EVP is to promote cultural and educational exchange between citizens of the U.S. and those of other countries. It provides foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in programs in the U.S. and then return home to share their experiences.
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Hosting J-1 Scholars is a Partnership
Providing clear explanations of the rights, responsibilities, requirements, and available options to our international students and scholars requires a strong partnership between the Office of Global Education and the hosting departments (HR Representatives, Faculty Sponsors and Department Heads). It is therefore critical that hosting departments familiarize themselves with the departmental responsibilities for hosting an exchange visitor before initiating the process of requesting a Form DS-2019 for an exchange visitor and ensure that the following eligibility requirements for the prospective exchange visitor are met.
Understanding the Exchange Visitor Program
Departmental Responsibilities
Before proposing HPU sponsors a J-1 scholar, understand the responsibilities for the hosting department and supervisor.
Departmental Responsibilities
Sponsorship Requests
Ready to propose an Exchange Visitor Program and the sponsorship of a J-1 scholar? Start here!
Hosting Scholars Through the Exchange Visitor Program
Scholar Qualifications
Prospective exchange visitors must hold a bachelor’s degree or international equivalent, or higher depending on duties and position, and possess sufficient proficiency in the English Language to be successful in their EVP and while in the U.S.
212(e) Two-Year Home Residence Requirement
Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires some EVs to return to their home country at the end of their J-1 program, reinforcing the exchange nature of the J-1 program and allowing for the sharing of knowledge gained in the U.S.
12- & 24-Month “Bars” on Repeat Participation
Time spent in the U.S. as a J-1 or J-2 dependent may trigger a “bar” or waiting period on a future J-1 program in the “Research Scholar” or “Professor” category. These periods of ineligibility are referred to as the 12-month and 24-month repeat participation bars.
Mandatory Health Insurance
Exchange Visitors and dependents must maintain sufficient health insurance for the duration of their EVP.

HPU has been designated to host both students and scholars through our Exchange Visitor Program (EVP).

When requesting the sponsorship of a J-1 visa for a prospective Exchange Visitor (EV), you’ll need to identify which J-1 category best fits their exchange program. Exchange Visitors are approved to enter the United States for a specific purpose and for a limited period of time. Therefore, DOS will not allow an Exchange Visitor to change category and limits the length of time in the U.S. to minimum and maximum time periods.

If the EV will be participating in as a student, documentation will be provided for the College and University Student category; however, if the EV will be participating as a scholar, you’ll be able to choose from three scholar categories: Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, and Professor.

When selecting an exchange visitor category, be sure that the planned activities of the program are grounded firmly in the regulatory scope of the specific exchange visitor category.

Exchange Visitor Scholar Categories
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Research Scholar
A scholar whose primary purpose is conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project. They also may teach or lecture where authorized by the sponsor, but may not be tenure track and any employment is considered temporary.
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Short-Term Scholar
A professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments who enters the United States for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills.
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Professor
A scholar whose primary purpose is teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting. They also may conduct research where authorized by the sponsor. A J-1 professor cannot be tenure track, and any employment is considered to be temporary.