Categories of Exchange Visitors
The following provides a brief description of the categories of Exchange Visitors:
Professor
An individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited educational institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institutions. A professor may also conduct research, unless disallowed by the sponsor. The participant shall not be a candidate for tenure track position. The maximum stay for a professor is 42 months.
Research Scholar
An individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate, research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. The research scholar also may teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the sponsor. The participant shall not be a candidate for tenure track position. The maximum stay for a Research Scholar is 42 months.
Short-Term Scholar
A professor, research scholar, specialist, or a person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. Examples include educators, scientists, research fellows, writers and museum administrators. The short-term scholar may also engage in collaborative research. The maximum duration of stay as 6 months, extensions beyond 6 months is not permitted.
J-1 Specialist
An individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill coming to the United States for observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills. An individual is eligible to be classified as a specialist if he or she:
- is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill;
- seeks to travel to the United States for the purpose of observing, consulting, or demonstrating his or her special knowledge or skills; and
- does not fill a permanent or long-term position of employment while in the U.S.