J-1 Exchange Visitor
Hosting an International J-1 Visiting Scholar
Policy and Procedures for Visiting Scholars
The J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) visa category was created for the purpose of cultural and educational exchange. This visa category is used for exchange visitors engaged in research and/or teaching and any visiting lecturers coming to Loyola for more than nine days. This category is not appropriate for tenure track faculty.
J-1 Exchange Visitors may be funded by Loyola, a government, private organizations, their current employer, or personal funds. ISSS will provide the form DS-2019 for the visitor to obtain a J-1 visa, a change of status or an extension. There is no cost to Loyola University Chicago for this visa. Processing time for the paperwork is 2 weeks.
J-1 Categories & Periods of Stay:
- Research Scholar/Professor—Minimum of three weeks, Maximum of five years
- Short-term Scholar—Maximum of six months
Unpaid J-1 Exchange Visitors
Loyola's Faculty Administration Office has set guidelines for hosting unpaid visiting scholars at the Lakeside Campuses whether they are American or international. Please contact Faculty Administration for further information. You will find information on this process at the Academic Affairs Visiting Scholar Information Page.
For unpaid visiting scholars at the Health Sciences Campus, all signature requests need to go through vprsignaturerequests@luc.edu. Please obtain approval from the Office of the Vice Dean of Research (see Research Services) prior to submitting the ISSS Visa Request Form to ISSS.
Process for obtaining the DS-2019 for the Exchange Visitor (EV):
- Once a scholar requiring J-1 visa sponsorship is identified, reach out to ISSS for a brief consult to discuss the details of the program and the J-1 visa application process.
- ISSS sends J-1 forms to the Sponsoring Unit.
- Visitor fills out the Exchange Visitor DS-2019 Request Form and returns it with supporting documentation to Sponsoring Unit.
- Sponsoring Unit fills out the J-1 Sponsoring Unit Request Form and obtains required signatures.
- Sponsoring Unit returns J-1 forms with supporting documentation to ISSS (including the J-1 English Proficiency Assessment Form and EV DS-2019 Request Form).
- ISSS prepares the DS-2019 and sends it to the EV.
- Upon arrival in the U.S., the EV must check-in with ISSS and provide proof of health insurance coverage that meets Department of State requirements (J-1 Check-In and Health Insurance Confirmation Form).
If there are any changes in your J-1 EV’s program, the EV should submit the DS-2019 Update Request Form. If there are changes to their status that will end their J-1 term at Loyola University Chicago (such as obtaining permanent residency), change to another status, employment with another institution, resignation, or termination, please contact ISSS so that appropriate action can be taken on the visitor's record.
To request the forms, or for further information, please contact isss@LUC.edu or 773.508.3899.
Hosting an International J-1 Visiting Scholar
Policy and Procedures for Visiting Scholars
The J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) visa category was created for the purpose of cultural and educational exchange. This visa category is used for exchange visitors engaged in research and/or teaching and any visiting lecturers coming to Loyola for more than nine days. This category is not appropriate for tenure track faculty.
J-1 Exchange Visitors may be funded by Loyola, a government, private organizations, their current employer, or personal funds. ISSS will provide the form DS-2019 for the visitor to obtain a J-1 visa, a change of status or an extension. There is no cost to Loyola University Chicago for this visa. Processing time for the paperwork is 2 weeks.
J-1 Categories & Periods of Stay:
- Research Scholar/Professor—Minimum of three weeks, Maximum of five years
- Short-term Scholar—Maximum of six months
Unpaid J-1 Exchange Visitors
Loyola's Faculty Administration Office has set guidelines for hosting unpaid visiting scholars at the Lakeside Campuses whether they are American or international. Please contact Faculty Administration for further information. You will find information on this process at the Academic Affairs Visiting Scholar Information Page.
For unpaid visiting scholars at the Health Sciences Campus, all signature requests need to go through vprsignaturerequests@luc.edu. Please obtain approval from the Office of the Vice Dean of Research (see Research Services) prior to submitting the ISSS Visa Request Form to ISSS.
Process for obtaining the DS-2019 for the Exchange Visitor (EV):
- Once a scholar requiring J-1 visa sponsorship is identified, reach out to ISSS for a brief consult to discuss the details of the program and the J-1 visa application process.
- ISSS sends J-1 forms to the Sponsoring Unit.
- Visitor fills out the Exchange Visitor DS-2019 Request Form and returns it with supporting documentation to Sponsoring Unit.
- Sponsoring Unit fills out the J-1 Sponsoring Unit Request Form and obtains required signatures.
- Sponsoring Unit returns J-1 forms with supporting documentation to ISSS (including the J-1 English Proficiency Assessment Form and EV DS-2019 Request Form).
- ISSS prepares the DS-2019 and sends it to the EV.
- Upon arrival in the U.S., the EV must check-in with ISSS and provide proof of health insurance coverage that meets Department of State requirements (J-1 Check-In and Health Insurance Confirmation Form).
If there are any changes in your J-1 EV’s program, the EV should submit the DS-2019 Update Request Form. If there are changes to their status that will end their J-1 term at Loyola University Chicago (such as obtaining permanent residency), change to another status, employment with another institution, resignation, or termination, please contact ISSS so that appropriate action can be taken on the visitor's record.
To request the forms, or for further information, please contact isss@LUC.edu or 773.508.3899.