The U.S. Department of State has authorized UNL to sponsor J-1 exchange visitors in the following categories:
Short-Term Scholar
A Short-Term Scholar is a special visitor category in that any qualified exchange visitor (that is, Professor, Research Scholar, Specialist, or person with similar education or accomplishments) may come to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills.
The Short-Term category:
- is appropriate for appointments less than 6 months in length
- cannot be extended beyond 6 months
- is NOT subject to the 24-month bar on return visits as a J-1 research scholar
Research Scholar
An individual concerned primarily with conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project; is also allowed to teach.
The Research Scholar category:
- is used for appointments of 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-1 research scholar at the end of the stay
Specialist
Specialists are experts in a field of specialized knowledge or skill, who come to the U.S. to observe, consult, or demonstrate special skills (professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, and physicians excluded).
Some examples of fields represented include mass media communication, environmental science, youth leadership, international educational exchange, museum exhibitions, labor law, public administration, and library science.
The Specialist category is to facilitate exchange among experts at scientific institutions, government agencies, museums, corporations, libraries, and similar types of institutions.
The maximum stay duration of this category is one year.
Professor
An individual concerned primarily with teaching, but is also allowed to conduct research, observe, or consult in connection with a research project.
The Professor category:
- is used for appointments of 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-1 research scholar at the end of the stay