Exchange Visitors & Scholars

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

The general purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is to promote international educational and cultural exchange to develop mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and other countries. At UM-Flint, there are three types of J-1 exchange visitors:

• Students
• Visiting scholars
• Visiting professors

An exchange visitor must not be a candidate for a tenure-track position.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Requirements

• J-1 students must be admitted to a degree program for a full course of study, or be engaged full time in a non-degree course of study.
• J-1 visiting research scholars primarily conduct research, observe, or consult in connection with a research project. The visiting scholar may also teach or lecture.
• J-1 visiting professors primarily teach, lecture, observe, or consult. The visiting professor may also conduct research.
• J-1 visiting short-term scholars can be professors, research scholars, specialists, or persons with similar education or accomplishments who come to the U.S. on a short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills.
• J-1 specialists are individuals who are experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skill who come to the U.S. to observe, consult, or demonstrate those special skills.

Program Administration

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. Our J-1 program is overseen by the Academic and Government Division.