MTSU International Education | Middle Tennessee State University

Visiting Scholars & J-1 Exchange Visitors

Procedures for Visiting Scholars

I. Invitation

The prospect visiting scholar and a MTSU faculty members should establish communication about potential collaborations before proposing a visiting project. The faculty member contacted will serve as the host faculty.
The host faculty requests approval from the department Chair and college Dean using the Request for Hosting International Visiting Scholars Form . Upon receiving approval from the Dean, the host faculty requests the visiting scholar to sign the Agreement for Visiting Scholars . The signed Request for Hosting International Visiting Scholars form should be sent to the VPIA or Provost to request an invitation letter.
The host faculty collects required documents for the issuance of DS-2019 from the visiting scholar. To request DS-2019 for visa application, the following documents must be submitted to: Ms. Angie Melton, International Admissions Office.
a. Request for DS-2019 Form signed by department Chair.
b. Financial Statement
c. Proof of medical health insurance or pledge of purchasing one upon arrival at MTSU
d. The letter of invitation from the VPIA or Provost
e. Signed agreement for Visiting Scholars
The invitation package will be sent to the visiting scholar by Ms. Melton or the host faculty as indicated in the "Request for DS-2019 Form". Included in the package are:
a. DS-2019 form
b. Invitation Letter
c. Required medical forms
d. Housing Information
e. Orientation Information
Any change of arrival/start/end date should be reported to Angie Melton as soon as possible.

II. Arrival

Host faculty arranges airport pick up, helps with off-campus apartment. If on-campus housing is requested by the visiting scholar, the host faculty/host academic unit can assist the visiting scholar in contacting the Housing and Residential Life office.
Visiting scholars register with Angie Melton to furnish required immigration documents.
Visiting scholars register with the host faculty/host academic unit and obtains appropriate paper work for a MTSU ID and registration on Pipeline.
Upon receiving registration information from the host faculty/host academic unit, the Provost office will create a "general person record" for the visiting scholar and code as "WVISWP-Visiting Professor without pay" on SIAINST. This coding will trigger access to Pipeline, but will restrict access to Raidernet and Banner student data.

III. End of Visit

Faculty Host collects ID, keys, and clears visiting scholar's library records. Faculty host notifies the VPIA and Provost's offices of the leaving of the visiting scholar. Faculty host sends ID to Provost or VPIA office.
Provost Office inactivates access via Banner SIAINST and notifies ITD via email to Jeff McMahan who will deactivate email account.
Host faculty submits a report about the scholar's visit to VPIA and Provost.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

The J Exchange Visitor category was developed to implement the Mutual Education and Cultural Exchange Act.

Its purpose is to increase mutual understanding between people of the United States and people of other countries through education and cultural exchanges.

MTSU's Exchange Visitor Program provides opportunities for study, research, and teaching.

Download: MTSU Visiting Scholar J-1 Packet.

Links:

• Time Limitations

Degree Programs

Students in degree programs are permitted an overall limit of 18 months, which includes all academic training, whether before or after completion of studies. The total training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the full course of study.

Postdoctoral Training

Postdoctoral training after completion of a U.S. degree the overall limit is 36 months. A new DS-2019 will be issued for the second 18 months.

Non-degree Program

Students in a prescribed course of study in a non-degree program, the total stay is limited to a maximum of 24 months, inclusive of all study time and any authorized academic training.

• Health Insurance Requirements

You must maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and your J-2 dependents during the entire time you participate in an Exchange Visitor Program. Insurance coverage must meet the requirements of the U.S. Department of State or backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the Exchange Visitor's home country shall be deemed to meet the requirement.

Required coverage for students and dependents includes:

• Medical benefits of at least 50,000 per accident or illness;

• Repatriation in the amount of $7,500.00;

• Medical Evacuation to the country of permanent residence in the amount of $10,000.00.

It is your responsibility to renew the insurance coverage for your dependent(s) during their stay. If you fail to maintain insurance coverage or misrepresent to the J-1 Program Sponsor will be considered in violation of the University Rules and will be subject to termination as an Exchange Visitor participant.

View the Health Insurance Statement

• The Two-year Home Country Requirement

There are three grounds on which your status as an exchange visitor can become subject to the Immigration and Nationality Act Section 212(e):

• If your participation in an exchange program was financed, directly or indirectly by the United States government or a foreign government.

• If the skills that you are develop or exercise while in the U.S. are in a field that the exchange visitor's "home" government considers to be in short supply, and thus has been included onthe State Department skills list.

• If you came to the United States to receive "graduate medical education or training."

If you fall into one of these groups, you are subject to the two-year home country requirement (212)(e), even if your source of funding or field of study changes. If the principal J-1 is subject to the two-year residence requirement, all dependents who enter the U.S. in J-2 status are subject to it as well.

• Waiver of the Home Residence Requirement

If you are an exchange visitor, you may apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement for the following five statutory bases:

• A claim of Exceptional Hardship to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident spouse or childof an exchange visitor if the exchange visitor is required to return to the country ofresidence;

• A claim that the participant will be persecuted due to race, religion, or political opinions ifhe/she returns to the country of residence;

• A request from an interested US Government Agency on the participant's behalf;

• A No Objection Statement from your government; and

• A request by a designated State Health Department or its equivalent.

Please see the following for more information:

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html

• Academic Training

A J-1 student may participate in an academic training program during his or her studies, without wages or other remuneration, with the approval of the Academic Dean or Advisor and the Responsible Officer. A student may be authorized to participate in academic training programs for wages or other remuneration during his or her studies or commencing not laterthan thirty (30) days after completion of studies.

• Responsible Officer

J-1 Academic Training is authorized by your J-1 program sponsor. To apply for Academic Training,you must know who represents your J-1 sponsor and issued your DS-2019 form. If Middle Tennessee State University is your sponsor, the advisers at IA will evaluate your application and authorize yourAcademic Training.

• Part-Time Academic Training

All academic training is counted as full time, even if employment is on a part-time basis.

• Employment of J-2 Dependents

• Obtaining a J-1 Visa Extension

• Duration of Status

• Consultations or Lectures

• Leaving the United States

• U.S. Government Links

• U.S. Department of State

• U.S. Embassies and Consulates Worldwide

• Current Visa Wait Times by Consulate

• Obtaining a U.S. Visa