Apply for J-1 Status

Exchange Visitor Categories
Get Invitation from Texas A&M
Apply for DS-2019
Apply for Visa or Change of Status

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created by the U.S. Department of State to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. While there are many different J-1 categories, Texas A&M serves as a program sponsor for 5 of these categories.

This page is for exchange visitors who want to come to the U.S. as a J-1 Scholar, Professor, or Student Intern.

For additional Pre-Arrival Information after you get your DS-2019, click here.

Learn about the Scholar, Professor, and Student Intern Categories

The J-1 Professor Category

The J-1 Professor category is for foreign nationals whose primary purpose is teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at Texas A&M University. The professor may also engage in research and participate in occasional lectures if authorized by ISSS.  

The academic and research activities must be temporary. A J-1 exchange visitor must not be a candidate for a tenure-track position. 
Visiting Professors may participate in the program for a minimum of 3 weeks and up to a total of 5 years, which includes transfers between exchange visitor programs.

The J-1 Research Scholar Category

The J-1 Research Scholar category is for foreign nationals whose primary purpose is conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at Texas A&M University or Texas A&M University System. The scholar may also teach or lecture if authorized by ISSS. 

The academic and research activities must be temporary. A J-1 exchange visitor must not be a candidate for a tenure-track position. 
Common titles for J-1 research scholar at Texas A&M University include post-doc scholars, visiting lecturers/professors/faculty, visiting researchers, short-term scholars, visiting graduate students.   
Visiting Research Scholars may participate in the program for a minimum of 3 weeks and up to a total of 5 years, which includes transfers between exchange visitor programs. They may not change their objective in the U.S.

The J-1 Short-Term Scholar Category

The J-1 Short-Term Scholar category is for foreign nationals who are a professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the U.S. on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at Texas A&M University or Texas A&M University System.  

Short-term scholars will come to the U.S. for a short visit anywhere from 1 day to 6 months.  
Short-term scholars cannot continue beyond the 6-month limit.

The J-1 Student Intern Category 

The J-1 Student Intern category is for foreign college and university students who are pursuing a degree (Bachelor’s or Master’s) to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience.  

They will engage in a full-time research internship to learn new techniques, methodologies, and skills. The internship will "fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution." 
Student interns may participate in an internship program for a minimum of 3 weeks and up to 12 months for each foreign degree/major. 
Student Interns must be currently enrolled at an academic institution in their home country 
ISSS will not sponsor PhD students for this category

Exchange visitors who want to come as a J-1 Student (degree or non-degree) should click here.

If you have previously been a J-1 Exchange Visitor, you may be subject to special conditions for eligibility. Click here to learn more.

How to become a TAMU-Sponsored J-1 Exchange Visitor?

Step 1 – Get your Official Invitation from Texas A&M System Agency

You begin the process by contacting the Texas A&M University department or Texas A&M University System member of interest. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will only accept J-1 requests directly from the sponsoring departments/members.

If your invitation request is approved, the host will generate an invitation letter for you. Then the department will collect the needed documents and information from you and forward your invitation packet to our office.

The host should verify with their HR and Export Controls that it’s okay to invite the visitor!

Step 2 - ISSS Processes your DS-2019 Request

ISSS will then review your request and issue a DS-2019 after receiving all documents. The form DS-2019 or “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status” is the basic document used in the administration of the exchange visitor program.

The invitation packet from your host should include:

Fee Payment

$350 Operational Fee
There may be additional fees based on the host
The host must pay the fee: Flywire
- If the J-1 exchange visitor is outside the U.S., the host must pay the fee within 30 days after the visitor arrives in the United States.
- If the J-1 exchange visitor is transferring from another U.S. institution, the host must pay the fee within 30 days after their start date at Texas A&M University.

Required Documents from the J-1 Exchange Visitor

Copy of passport
Non-Immigrant Questionnaire
Dependent Request
Proof of Finances
- J-1 scholar or student intern: $2000 per month
- J-2 spouse: $550 per month
- J-2 child: $300 per month for each child
- Requirements for Financial Documentation
Curriculum Vitae/Resume
- Scholars and Professors: This should include a full history of their academic credentials
A statement explaining the scope of activities the visitor intends to engage in with the host faculty at Texas A&M
Proof of English proficiency (see English Proficiency Requirements section below)
If the J-1 is already in the U.S.: Transfer-In Form
- Active J-1s should work with their current institution to get their SEVIS record transferred to Texas A&M
- If the J-1 is in a different category, they will need to do a change of category request. More information here.
- The institution will need TAMU’s Program Number: P-1-00260
- ISSS will not be able to process the DS-2019 until we receive the SEVIS record
DS-2019 Request for Dependents (if applicable) - This also requires the following documents:
- Copy of each dependent’s passport
- Evidence of sufficient funds for each dependent
Additional documents for J-1 Student Interns only:
- Proof of Good Academic Standing at home institution
- Letter from home institution to acknowledge the student will receive a salary/financial support and that the home institution is okay with it

Required Documents from the Host Department or System Member

Invitation or Job Offer Letter
Agreement to Report Incidents
Department Questionnaire for J-1
- Scholars/Professors
- Student Interns
Form for Research Compliance and/or Export Controls offices (required if exchange visitor will be in the U.S. for 10 days or more)
- For Texas A&M & Health Science Center J-1 employees - Export Control Review & Certification
- For Texas A&M & Health Science Center J-1 non-employees - Form 5VS
- For Engineering - Form 5VS
- For AgriLife: AG-713
Additional documents for J-1 Student Interns only:
- Form DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan
  - For help with filling out the DS-7002, click here
  - If internship is in the field of agriculture, certification that internship meets all requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act. Acknowledgement is on the DS-7002.

English Proficiency Requirements

If the visitor is a native English speaker or lives in an English-speaking country, then this is not required.
- Refer to the list of countries under Proof of English Proficiency on Admissions site.
- Exchange visitors from India are exempt from proficiency requirement.

If the above does not apply, then they must submit one of the following documents (must be issued within the last 2 years):
- TOEFL Essentials score of at least 8.5
- TOEFL iBT score of at least 80
- IELTS score of at least 6.0
- GRE Verbal Reasoning score of at least 146
- GMAT Verbal score of at least 22
- English interview via English3
  - Before you can participate in the interview, please create an account create an account and pay the free. The promo code for your discount is TAMUJ125 which is 25% off your total price.
  - English3 will forward us your score once it is available. If your score meets our requirement (3.0 minimum), we will inform the department to move forward with your J-1 application. If it is below 3.0, please talk to your hosting department and delay the visiting date until you meet the English proficiency requirement.
- Official certification from an English academic institution, school, or language training center that the visitor successfully completed classes within the past two years
- If they’ve had J-1 status at another institution, that institution can provide a letter that verifies the visitor met the English requirement

Step 3 – Apply for Visa, or Change Status to J-1

For Visitors Outside the U.S.

The DS-2019 from ISSS will allow you to apply for your J-1 visa and set up a visa interview at a U.S. embassy/consulate abroad. The exact documents needed for the application will vary based on country and individual circumstances.

Basic required documents for your J visa application will include:

A passport valid for at least 6 months in the future
DS-2019 from ISSS
- And DS-7002 if you’re applying for J-1 Student Intern
I-901 fee payment receipt
DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application
A photo that meets Dept of State requirements
J-2 Dependent documents if applicable

Other documentation may also be required. You should review the instructions on the website of the embassy or consulate where you’ll apply. You can find more information about the visa application process and check appointment wait times at travel.state.gov. Note that the issuance of the J visa is up to the discretion of the embassy and consular officers.

For potential visa issues and information about administrative processing, click here.

For Visitors Inside the U.S.

If you’re currently in the U.S. on a different nonimmigrant status (not J-1), there are two ways to change your nonimmigrant status:

Travel and apply for a visa (see For Visitors Outside the U.S.) OR
Apply for a change of status within the U.S.
1. This requires an I-539 application to USCIS
2. There is also a filing fee for the application
3. You should maintain your current status until the J-1 status is approved

Depending on your specific situation, both options may be available to you or you may only be eligible for one of them. Some factors that can affect your options are:

Your current status and its expiration date
Your desired J-1 program start date
Travel restrictions
Issues in your home country
And more...

Processing times are also an important factor when deciding how to change status:

You can come talk to ISSS if you’re not sure which option to choose.

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