Overview

To be eligible for J-1 scholar status, you:

• Must hold a completed undergraduate degree
• Must have enough money for all living expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family members either from UW–Madison or any other sources.
• Must maintain health insurance for sicknesses or accidents when you are in J-1 status. Failure to maintain health insurance coverage will jeopardize your J-1 status. You must have University health insurance, purchase Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP) insurance or have insurance that has been pre-approved by the University.
• Must be invited or hosted by a UW–Madison faculty or staff member
• Must collaborate with a UW faculty or staff member
• Work must benefit the UW
• Work must be performed on campus
• Must be in a terminal teaching or research position (not tenure track or annually renewable)

The J-1 is not appropriate for:

• Tenure track positions or permanent annually renewable appointments
• Anyone who intends to provide clinical care or work
• Independent work
• Performing work for a faculty member’s start up company other similar entity
• Individuals who have already filed a permanent residency petition with USCIS. Evidence of the pending or approved I-140 or I-130 required for the University to file an H-1B.

UW–Madison cannot sponsor employees of affiliated entities. An exception is made when the individual is an employee of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) working in a UW–Madison faculty HHMI Investigator’s laboratory.

J-1s may enter the U.S. up to 30-days before the start date of their J-1 program and may remain in the U.S. for up to 30-days after their J-1 program, if the I-94, arrival departure record given to them by Customs and Border Protection when they enter the US is marked  D/S for duration of status.

J-1s cannot work or “volunteer” to work during the grace period.

New J-1

Initiate the J-1 request at least three (3) months before the scholar’s anticipated start date. The timeline includes the department and IFSS processing time as well as the visa stamping process at a U.S. consulate and any potential delays.

Extension

Initiate the J-1 extension request at least one (1) month before the scholar’s current DS-2019 expiration date.

Shorten

Initiate the J-1 shorten request at least two (2) weeks before the scholar’s resignation date or revised appointment end date.

Transfer a J-1 Program to UW–Madison

Initiate the J-1 transfer in request at least one (1) month before the scholar’s start date at UW–Madison. The start date at UW–Madison must be on or before the scholar’s current DS-2019 end date.

Transfer the UW–Madison Program to another J-1 Sponsor

Initiate the J-1 transfer out request at least one (1) month before the scholar’s end date at UW–Madison.

Please check the following chart if the prospective J-1 has been in a previous J-1 category and wishes to become a Research Scholar or Professor. The chart lists the bars that the J-1 would be subject to if they were in one of the categories and for the durations listed.

As a designated J1 program sponsor UW Madison is required to notify the U.S. Department of State of any incidents that could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor (J1) or otherwise could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor’s exchange visitor program
into notoriety or disrepute. If you are aware that a J1 scholar in your department if facing serious health issues, legal problems, harassments at work or home, or involvement with the Police please inform us as soon as you can.