International Student & Scholar Services

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Contact Information
International Student & Scholar Services
Henry Barnard Hall
406
(860) 832-2054
ISSS@ccsu.edu

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Walk In Hours

Wednesday
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM

J-1 Scholars

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program allows international scholars and professors to come to the United States for temporary periods for the purpose of educational exchange. A visiting professor is defined as an individual who is primarily engaged in teaching or lecturing, while a research scholar's primary focus is research. 

J-1 Scholars are responsible for maintaining lawful status and complying with applicable U.S. immigration requirements. The J-1 visa cannot be used for tenure-track or tenured appointments.

Log in to Terra Dotta to submit J-1 immigration requests, manage your immigration records, and receive updates from ISSS.

Faculty and academic departments: See Hosting J-1 Scholars for J-1 sponsorship information.

Exchange Visitor Categories

Central sponsors these categories under the J-1 Scholar Exchange Visitor Program:

CategoryDescriptionMaximum Duration
ProfessorFor international professors who teach, lecture, and collaborate with colleagues at U.S. colleges and universities.5 Years
Research ScholarFor international scholars conducting research, collaborating with colleagues, and participating in academic exchange at U.S. institutions.6 Months
Short Term ScholarFor international scholars visiting the United States for a short-term lecture, research project, training, seminar, workshop, or other academic collaboration.5 Years

Interested in Becoming a J-1 Scholar?

J-1 Scholar sponsorship begins with an invitation from a Central Connecticut State University academic department. If you have been invited or are exploring opportunities at Central, contact ISSS to learn about the J-1 sponsorship process and eligibility requirements

To maintain your J-1 status, you must:

  • Comply with Exchange Visitor Program regulations and U.S. immigration laws. 
  • Engage only in activities authorized under your J-1 program. 
  • Report changes to your U.S. address, phone number, or email to ISSS. 
  • Request a program extension before your Form DS-2019 expires, if eligible. 
  • Depart the United States within the 30 day grace period following your program end date. 

Log in to Terra Dotta to submit J-1 immigration requests, manage your immigration records, and receive updates from ISSS.

For accompanying dependents, Central does not provide any assistance with dependent Form I-539 applications except enclose the completed application with the employee’s Form I-129 packet to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Please seek Legal Counsel. 

Before traveling outside the United States, obtain a travel signature from ISSS on your Form DS-2019. Travel signatures are valid for six months. You should also travel with a valid passport, a valid J-1 visa (unless exempt), your current Form DS-2019, and your most recent I-94 Arrival/Departure Record. 

See: Travel Guidance

All J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents must maintain health insurance that meets U.S. Department of State minimum coverage requirements throughout their program. Before your program begins, you must either enroll in Central's approved health insurance plan or provide proof of comparable coverage.

J-1 program authorization is issued on an annual basis to verify continued compliance with the health insurance requirement.

See: Mandatory Health Insurance 

You may be subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement (212(e)) if your exchange program is funded by the U.S. or a foreign government, or if your field of expertise appears on the U.S. Department of State's Exchange Visitor Skills List. If you are subject to this requirement, you must return to your country legal permanent residence for two years before becoming eligible for certain U.S. immigration benefits, unless you receive an approved waiver. For additional information, visit the U.S. Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program website.

After completing your J-1 Research Scholar or Professor program, you are subject to the Two-Year Repeat Participation Bar, regardless of program length. You cannot return to the U.S. under the J-1 Research Scholar or Professor category for two years.

This bar is separate from the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement (212(e)) and applies only to future participation in the Research Scholar or Professor category. You may still be eligible for another J-1 category or U.S. immigration status, if eligible.

You may be subject to the 12 Month Bar if you were present in the United States in any J status (including J-2 but excluding Short-Term Scholar) for six months or more during the year before the start of your J-1 Research Scholar or Professor program.

If you are subject to the Two-Year Repeat Participation Bar, the 12 Month Bar does not apply.

Report serious incidents to ISSS within 24 hours by submitting the Incident Reporting Form through Terra Dotta or email.  

Reportable incidents include:

  • Serious illness or injury
  • Death or a missing exchange visitor
  • Arrests or law enforcement involvement
  • Lost or stolen immigration documents
  • Sexual misconduct, harassment, or abuse
  • Natural disasters or other situations affecting your safety
  • Other significant incidents that may affect your J-1 program