Short-Term Scholar

What is a Short-Term Scholar? 

A foreign national who is a professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments who enters the United States for a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at Eastern Michigan University.

Eligibility

  • The prospective J-1 Short-Term Scholar must have previous education, experience, and background with the subject that they will be researching
  • Meet the minimum English language requirement, all exchange visitors must complete an oral interview with the ESL Department ([email protected]) or submit an English test score that at least meets the graduate school minimum 
  • Show enough financial funding to cover their time while completing the program. See Proof of Financial Resources page for additional information
    • Minimum $2,100 per month 
    • If the department will provide funding, they will need to provide the details and amount of the funding on a letter, signed by the department head, and written on official letterhead
    • If the scholar will be accompanied by any dependents they will need to show additional funding in the form of $2,100 for spouses, and $2,100 for each child per month
  • The scholar has approval from the faculty sponsor, Department Head, Dean, Associate Vice President for Graduate Studies and Research, and the Provost to engage in the program
  • Short-term scholar enrolls in proper health insurance coverage

Documents Required to Apply

  • Invitation Letter from host department written on department letterhead - must include details of the research being conducted
  • Resume/CV of the scholar
  • Completed and signed Academic Campus Visitor Form
  • Passport Picture Page (plus dependents if applicable)
  • Proof of Funding (see Proof of Financial Resources Page *link*)
  • ESL Oral Interview Report or English Language Test Results 
  • Fill out and submit the J-1 Scholar/Student Intern Request Form

Participation Lengths and Extensions 

A short-term scholar can participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for a minimum of 1 day, but no more than 6 months per the Exchange Visitor Program regulations. Both the department and the exchange visitor should carefully monitor the amount of time needed to complete the program. 

Extensions may be granted provided the department and exchange visitor properly report the need for an extension to our office at least 3 weeks prior to the end date on the DS-2019. Extensions beyond 6 months for short-term scholars are not possible, and will not be granted. If an extension will be required, the short-term scholar will need to submit a Scholar Update request. 

Transfer of the DS-2019 to Another School

Short-term scholar transfers are rare and may not be practical due to the 6 month maximum amount of participation allowed in the category. However if they are under the 6 month maximum a short-term scholar can transfer to another program sponsor as long as they plan to complete the objective for which they were admitted into the exchange visitor status, and remain in the same short-term scholar category with the new sponsor. The hosting department at EMU will also need to agree to the transfer before OISS will consider the request. 

The short-term scholar will need to submit the J-1 Transfer Out Form and provide additional documentation:

  • Official offer letter from new sponsor that specifically addresses the job duties and goals at the new program, as well as the intended transfer date
  • Most Recent I-94
  • Copy of passport
  • EMU Department Transfer Release Form

Reporting Out of Country Travel

Due to the short length of participation for short-term scholars, traveling outside the U.S. for more than 30 days may not be practical. A short-term scholar should meet with an OISS advisor before any planned travel that exceeds 30 days. 

End of the Program 

After the DS-2019 end date, the short-term scholar will have a 30-day grace period during which they can prepare to leave the U.S. If the exchange visitor leaves before the 30 days, the grace period will automatically end, and they will not be able to re-enter the country with the EMU DS-2019. 

If the short-term scholar has completed their program earlier than intended, the short-term scholar should submit a Scholar Update request, so that the DS-2019 and SEVIS record is properly updated and accurate. 

Note on “Remote” Participation

Per the U.S. State Department, exchange visitors can work no more than 40% of the time remotely or in a hybrid capacity. EMU departments should ensure that they are able to meet this requirement and offer the J-1 Exchange Visitor a primarily in-person work environment.