J Visa Category - Exchange
Visitor
J-1 - Exchange Visitor for Teaching or Research • The quickest and most common way to bring an
international scholar to UNLV for temporary appointments is through
our Exchange Visitor Program. However, J-1 international students & scholars
from certain countries are subject to a two-year home country physical
presence requirement (this requirement can be found in Section 212(e)
of the Immigration & Nationality Act). • All international students & scholars who
are subject to the two-year home country, physical presence requirement,
cannot apply for H-1B (temporary worker) status or permanent resident
(“green card” holder) status. They must first return to
their country of nationality or last place of legal permanent residence
for two years, or obtain a waiver of this requirement. Waiver information
can be obtained from http://www.travel.state.gov/jvw.html.
OISS can assist the international scholar in determining if they are
subject to this requirement. • To obtain the J-1 exchange visitor status, an
international scholar must be in possession of the Form DS-2019, which
is issued by the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS).
A university department or college can request a DS-2019 by following
the steps listed below. Steps to Filing a J-1 Application
1. Complete the “Request
for J-1 Visa Document (DS-2019 Form).”
This form requests information regarding the visitor, purpose of the program
and funding, which is required to complete the Form DS-2019. 2. Send the completed form with
Dean or Department Chair approval to OISS (mail stop 1035 or fax 0169).
If the source of funding is other than UNLV, please provide proof of financial
certification and type of funding source while in the U.S. Proof of financial
certification can be in the form of a certified bank letter or financial statement
from the scholar’s financial sponsor (i.e., home government, foreign
university, or scholar’s personal funds). 3. Please allow at least 4 weeks
for the Form DS-2019 to be completed.
You will be notified by OISS when the Form DS-2019 has been completed and is
ready to be picked-up and forwarded to the international scholar. If the international
scholar is outside of the U.S., forward the blue folder with the Form DS-2019
to the international scholar. The international scholar will then take the
Form DS-2019 to the U.S. Consulate in his/her home country to apply for the
J-1 visa stamp (used for entry into the U.S.). 4. The DS-2019 has an expiration
date.
If your department wishes to extend an international scholar’s J-1 stay,
you must call the OISS three months prior to the expiration date listed on the
Form DS-2019, to request an application for extension. If the extension is
approved, OISS will then notify the U.S. Department of State that the international
scholar has extended their stay. 5. Upon arrival in the U.S.,
the international scholar must report directly to OISS.
The international scholar must check-in to OISS with his/her passport, visa,
I-94 card, and Form DS-2019. 6. Keep OISS informed of any
changes relating to the international scholar’s employment.
This includes any changes in job duties, salary, work location, termination,
etc. Please note that J-1 International Scholars working at
UNLV for teaching or research purposes may only be employed with the
employer(s) indicated on form DS-2019. "Occasional
Lectures or Short-Term Consultations" must be approved by
the Office of International Students & Scholars. J-1 Forms
•J-1 Form
UNLV department initiates the J-1 request (fillable .doc form) through J-1 Request Form. (This form can be filled out using Microsoft Word as a fillable form.)
New 5 Year Rule
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