Program Overview

The “Short Term Scholar”, “Research Scholar” and “Professor” J-1 visa categories are for foreign nationals who - in their home country - are professors, researchers, scholars, postdocs, or other persons with similar education and accomplishments (normally a minimum of a bachelor’s degree or higher in their field of specialty) and who wish to come to the U.S. to participate in cultural and research exchanges. The primary purpose of this visit at UNLV should be teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting. They may visit UNLV as a paid employee (such as a visiting professor, a temporary researcher, or a postdoc) or they may be self-funded from other sources, such as by a grant from the government of their home country or personal funds. (note that any unpaid positions must comply with relevant UNLV Human Resources policies for visiting researchers, volunteers etc.) Note, however, that the J-1 visa CANNOT be used for tenure-track/permanent positions.

Short-Term Scholar

This category has a maximum duration of 6 months. This duration cannot be extended, so this category should only be used for exchange visitors and hosting/hiring departments who are certain that a given program will not exceed 6 months total.

Professor/Research Scholar 

The Professor/Research Scholar category can be extended for a maximum duration of up to 5 years (minimum duration is 3 weeks). The Professor category is for individuals whose primary activities will be teaching duties (note: NOT for tenure-track/permanent faculty position), whereas the Research Scholar category is for those will primarily engage in research.

  • Focuses on initial participation as a professor or research scholar
  • A prospective professor or research scholar is not eligible to begin a new J-1 program if they were physically present in ANY J status for any time in the 12 months prior to the new program start date
  • Exceptions include:
    • The time in J status was in the short-term scholar category
    • The program was less than 6 months;
    • The EV is currently a professor/research scholar in J-1 status and is transferring to UNLV

  • Focuses on repeat participation as a professor or research scholar
  • The 24-month bar applies in two circumstances:
    1. If the professor or research scholar complete five consecutive years of program participation with one or more scholars
    2. If the professor or research scholar completes their program before the five year limit without having requested an extension.

J-1 Application Process

All requests J-1 scholars should be submitted online by the hosting department through the OISS portal. The following is a list of documents which are typically required for J-1 requests. The completed request should be submitted to International Student and Scholar Services at least eight weeks prior to the program start date. However, submitting these documents several months in advance of a planned J-1 visit is strongly recommended:

  • Copy of unexpired passport identification page of the scholar
  • Copy of the invitation letter on the department’s letterhead to the scholar specifying program objectives and, if applicable, duration of appointment and UNLV salary
  • UNLV contract or appointment letter, if applicable
  • Proof of funding (converted to USD$) for each source of funding listed for the scholar (e.g. copy of UNLV offer letter, proof of funding from scholar’s home institution, personal/family bank statements, etc.)
  • Scholar’s resume or curriculum vitae (CV)
  • Copies of all DS-2019s if the scholar was in the U.S. in any J status (J-1/J-2) in the last two years
  • If the scholar is in the U.S. on another visa status, copies of all of their I-94s, latest visa, immigration documents (DS-2019s, I-20s, F-1 OPT EAD card, USCIS Approval Notices, J-2 EAD card, etc.)
  • Copies of any passports and immigration documents for any accompanying dependents (if applicable)
  • Complete Deemed Export Form, emailed to Chelsea Holmes at chelsea.holmes@unlv.edu
  • Important Note: If the scholar will be transferring as a J-1 from another program within the U.S. OR if the scholar is already in the U.S. in a different status, the scholar and department should contact the scholar advisor prior to submitting a J-1 request to discuss the transfer process and eligibility.

Note: Incomplete/inaccurate J-1 requests will not be processed. The complete documentation, information, and signatures requested are necessary to determine eligibility for J-1 sponsorship. Incomplete/inaccurate information of the request will delay processing. If you have questions regarding the J-1 request process, please contact International Student and Scholar Services.

Approximately six weeks prior to the end of your program, ISSS will reach out to request that you fill out the Exit/Departure Form request in the OISS portal. Please confirm your end program date and your planned departure date. We also appreciate any feedback you may share with us. If you are a J-1 student intern, you will also have to upload your timesheets and final evaluation with the Exit/Departure Form.
If you are planning to extend your program, we ask that in lieu of filling out the Exit/Departure Form, you reach out to scholar@unlv.edu as soon as possible so that we may begin collecting the documents to begin the extension process. You must begin the extension process at least four weeks before the program end date listed on your DS-2019.

End of J-1 Program

As you reach the end of your program dates, ISSS will contact you regarding the International/Exit Departure Form. You must fill out this request as soon as possible. If you are a J-1 student intern, you will also have to upload your final evaluation and any timesheets from your program.

Health Insurance

All J-1 and J-2 exchange program participants are required by federal regulation to carry adequate health insurance for the duration of their stay in the United States. The minimum requirements for the insurance are set in place by the Department of State. You will have to upload evidence of your health insurance coverage to the OISS portal via the “Medical Insurance Confirmation” request. ISSS will not be able to validate your J-1 record with the Departments of State and Homeland Security until these documents (and all of the other mandatory check-in documents) have been received.

Please note that willful failure on your part to maintain the required insurance throughout your stay in the United States may result in the termination of your exchange program.

Minimum Insurance Coverage determine by the Department of State:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per person per accident or illness
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
  • Expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000
  • A deductible of no more than $500 per illness

As a J-1/J-2 exchange visitor eligible for UNLV health insurance, you must enroll in either the HMO or the Low Deductible PPO; these are the ONLY two plans that meet the Department of State Requirements.

Additionally, you must also purchase a separate insurance plan that covers just repatriation and medical evacuation. You can purchase this insurance from either ISO or Seven Corners.

UNLV has delayed the rollout of the mandatory AHP health insurance plan until July 1, 2025, to allow additional time to ensure everyone is fully informed of the requirement and associated costs. Through June 30, 2025, ISSS will be able to accept the J-1 compliant plans from either ISO or Seven Corners (Choice version only). We will not be able to accept any other plans, including international plans.

Please upload documentation that shows your/your J-2 dependents enrollment in one of these two plans within the Medical Confirmation request in the OISS Portal. This documentation is required before ISSS can validate your arrival to the US with the Department of State.

These plans start at approximately $39/month per person. Please note that these J-1 specific plans may not include coverage for all medical needs and expenses. It is your responsibility to review the plan information and determine which plan meets your/your family's needs. Please reach out to the insurance provider directly if you have any questions about the plan coverage and cost.

If you extend your J-1 exchange visitor program past June 30, 2025, you will be required to purchase health insurance through the UNLV AHP plan for both yourself and any J-2 dependents for the extension period. Additional information about the UNLV AHP plan, including estimated costs, will be available in the coming months.

As a reminder, all J-1/J-2 exchange visitors are required to maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of their program in the U.S. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have health insurance coverage that meets these Department of State requirements. This health insurance must meet certain federal regulatory minimums, including the following:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per person per accident or illness;
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
  • Expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000.
  • Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness