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June 28, 2002
U.S. Department of State Amendments to Participation in the Exchange
Visitor Program as Professor and Research Scholar
The U.S. Department of State published notice in the Federal Register
on July 27, 2002, regarding a proposed rule to amend its existing regulations
governing participation in the Exchange Visitor (J visa) Program as a Professor
and Research Scholar. The proposed amendments will extend the duration of
program participation from three (3) years to five (5) years. The program
has had a three year duration for participation since 1949. The new five
(5) year period includes time spent outside of the United States during
the period of authorized program participation.
Notably, the proposed amendment will also eliminate program extensions
beyond the five year period.
Limitations governing the eligibility for program participation of professor
and research scholar participants include:
- Anyone who has participated in a five year program as a professor
or research scholar will be ineligible for repeat participation in the
professor or research scholar category for a period of two years from
the end date of his/her prior program.
- A change between the categories of professor and research
scholar will not extend an exchange visitor’s permitted period of participation
beyond five years.
- The twelve month bar from continued program participation
upon individuals who have been physically present in the United States
for all or part of the twelve months immediately preceding their commencement
of program participation as a professor or research scholar will remain.
There are exceptions to the application of the twelve month bar, including
one for prospective participants who have previously participated in the
Exchange Visitor Program as short-term scholars.
The U.S. Department of State invites comments for a 30 day period following
the July 27 publication.
Federal Register: Participation in the Exchange Visitor
Program as Professor and Research Scholar (PDF/81 kb, 4 pages)
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