Sponsoring J Scholars & Professors

Hiring International Exchange Visitors

The Office of International Programs is a resource for bringing all J-1 International scholars and professors to The University of Texas at El Paso. We assist departments to learn how to sponsor an international research scholar or invite an international professor in J-1 status. We assist J-1 visa holders with understanding the immigration rules necessary for maintaining legal non-immigrant status, entering and leaving the US, identifying campus resources, and adjusting to life in El Paso and in the US.

Please contact the Office of International Programs and Human Resource Services for advice before extending an offer. Any non‑immigrant candidates (for Post‑Doctoral Research, Research Scholar, and Professor) will not be authorized to receive a stipend or be placed on the payroll until appropriate documents have been submitted to and approved by DHS and/or the American Consulate or Embassy. If the exchange visitor is already employed in the U.S. on a J‑1 visa, special restrictions may apply. It is important to involve the Office of International Programs at each step of the selection and hiring process to avoid legal complications for the individual and for the university.

Immigration regulations mandate that U.S. universities and colleges that sponsor J-1 Exchange Visitors must report information via SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS is a U.S. Government web-based database that makes information available to immigration and other governmental agencies including U.S. consulates and embassies. The Office of International Programs (OIP) is required to report personal and program information regarding the J-1 Exchange Visitors at The University of Texas at El Paso via SEVIS. This is a very short reporting window and OIP must report to SEVIS the exchange visitor’s arrival at UTEP within 30 days of the program start date listed on the DS-2019 form and report the exchange visitor’s U.S. address.

Below you will find the J-1 Exchange Visitor Application, please read the directions carefully as part of the application needs to be completed by the UTEP host department and the other part by the exchange visitor.
If you are a department interested in learning more about other immigration options, such as an H-1B or lawful permanent residency, we will direct you to the appropriate department or representative on campus. Our office is exclusively limited to processing J-1 visas for visiting students, scholars, and professors.

Categories of J-1 Visa at UTEP

Research Scholar

J-1 research scholars primarily conduct research, observe, or consult in connection with a research project. The scholar may also teach or lecture.

  • Length of stay: 3 weeks to 5 years in duration.
  • Extensions are granted up to the 5 year maximum.
  • Subject to a 24-month bar on return visits as a J research scholar at the end of the program.
  • may be able to return to the U.S. in a different J category (such as Short-Term Scholar) or in other types of nonimmigrant status such as F-1 student, B-1/B-2 visitor, during the 24-month bar period.

Short-Term Scholar

J-1 short term scholars can be professors, research scholars, specialists, or persons 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.

  • Length of stay: less than 6 months in length
  • cannot be extended beyond 6 months
  • NOT subject to the 24-month bar on return visits as a J-1 research scholar

Professor

J-1 professors primarily teach, lecture, observe, or consult. The professor may also conduct research. If the Exchange Visitor will be here primarily to conduct research the Research Scholar category above is more appropriate, even if the individual is a professor in his or her home country.

  • Length of stay: 3 weeks to 5 years in duration
  • allows for extensions up to the 5 year maximum.
  • is subject to a 24-month bar on return visits as a J research scholar and professor at the end of the program.
  • may return to the U.S. in J-1 Short-Term Scholar or in any other visa category such as F-1 student, B-1/B-2 visitor, during the 24-month bar period.

 

Each department sponsoring the exchange visitor is responsible for the following:

  • Provide a MINIMUM of three months lead time in preparing paperwork for new visiting J-1 exchange visitors. Departments should be aware that delays in visa processing and security checks can mean that some visitors may need up to 6 months to secure a J-1 visa and arrive at UTEP. Once the completed J-1 Exchange Visitor application and all of the supporting documents have been submitted to OIP, we can issue the DS-2019 in 5 business days.Please note that in some cases the DS-2019 issuance may be longer due to Export Control.Please also make sure that the application is complete before submitting it to OIP as this can cause delays in processing time.
  • Inform OIP immediately if the exchange visitor changes plans, decides to arrive earlier or later than stated on the DS-2019 form, or cancels their proposed appointment at UTEP.
  • Upon arrival to UTEP, ensure that the exchange visitor makes an appointment with the OIP Scholar Advisor for a check-in/orientation (within the first couple of days of arrival). The host department can also schedule this appointment beforehand for the exchange visitor.
  • Provide support to the exchange visitor during their research/teaching at UTEP.
  • Communicate immediately with OIP regarding information about the exchange visitor’s appointment at UTEP which includes the following SEVIS reportable events: the arrival, departure and/or termination, changes in the exchange visitor’s U.S. address and any program change in the UTEP appointment.
  • Inform OIP at least one month before the expiration date on a current exchange visitors DS-2019 form about any extension requests.
  • Inform OIP immediately prior to early termination of the exchange visitor program in any department (if leaving more than 2 weeks prior to end date).
  • Inform OIP about any prospective paid and/or non-UTEP paid engagements that the exchange visitor wishes to participate in (so that OIP can authorize such employment in advance if they meet the immigration requirements).

 

J-1 Exchange Visitor Application (PDF)
J-1 Exchange Visitor Application (Word)


Office of International Programs
203 Union East Bldg * (915) 747-5664 * oip@utep.edu * Hours: Monday-Tuesday 8-6 Wednesday-Friday 8-5