J-1 Eligibility and Requirements

A J-1 scholar must be engaged in a full-time capacity, meaning they must work 40 hours per week.

Prospective exchange visitors must have earned at least a bachelor’s degree to participate in the Professor, Research Scholar, or Short-Term Scholar categories. A higher degree may be required for specific positions.

J-1 regulations require all exchange visitors to have the ability to speak and understand verbal English, as well as the ability to read, write and comprehend written English, to conduct their J-1 program successfully, and function on a day-to-day basis.

The host department will be responsible for assessing the individual’s proficiency in the English language as part of our application for a form DS-2019, through completion of the J-1 English Assessment Form (PDF) and providing appropriate supporting documentation.

The host department will be responsible for the cost of English language training for J-1 Scholars who arrive with inadequate skills. Please keep in mind that a consular official may deny a foreign national a J-1 visa if they deem their English language skills to be inadequate.

Each department that brings in a J-1 scholar must designate at least one person within the department to serve as a host to the J-1 scholar. The host can be anyone of foreign or U.S. nationality, who is willing to help the J-1 scholar for the duration of the J program.

When welcoming an exchange visitor, the hiring department assigns a departmental host (usually a department member with excellent English skills) to serve as a guide to the University and the Rochester area.

The departmental host will need to assist the exchange visitor and any accompanying family members with practical matters such as:

• Housing
• Furniture and house goods rental or purchases
• Enrolling children in school
• Finding a childcare provider
• Locating the nearest bank, grocery store or clothing store
• How to obtain emergency medical care
• How to choose a doctor
• How to purchase health insurance 
• How to contact the fire and police departments
• Cars and transportation advice, including how to buy a used car, obtain a driver’s license, and obtain car insurance
• Life and customs in the United States
• The cost of living in the Rochester area

This is in addition to the department providing English language assessment and support.

The funding amount must meet the minimum established for University of Rochester positions like postdoctoral appointments. Personal funds, like a bank account, cannot be used to fund an entire J-1 program. If no established funding amount exists, then the ISO minimum for the principal J-1 of $3,100 per month (equal to $37,200 per year) is required, plus an additional $500 per month for each dependent who may accompany the J-1. Neither of these amounts includes the cost of a health insurance policy for the exchange visitor and if applicable, any accompanying family members.

The funding amount must meet the minimum established for University of Rochester postdoctoral appointments. The current minimum funding amount is $55,341/year. Refer to the School of Medicine and Dentistry (SMD) or the Arts, Sciences and Engineering (AS&E) postdoctoral appointment policy for more information.

Verification of financial support for the total length of the visitor’s program is required. Funding may come from the department, the visitor’s government or employer, or a combination of these sources. Personal funds, like bank accounts, cannot be used to fund an entire J-1 program.

Individuals who won’t be paid by the University of Rochester must provide proof of funding that is:

• Written in English
• On letterhead from the funding source
• Signed by someone with the authority to dispense the funds from the funding organization
• Include the specific dates of funding coverage
• Include amount of funding in U.S. dollars