Maintaining Status: J-1 Scholars
To maintain status, a professor or research scholar must:
- Primarily teach, lecture, observe, consult or conduct research
- Not be a candidate for a tenure track position
- Enroll in health insurance coverage, including repatriation of remains and medical evacuation after entering the United States (J-2 spouse and children included)
- Maximum stay of five years
- Have a maximum stay of five years
- Show adequate funding for the length of time requested
- Not have been physically present in the United States in J-1 status for two years immediately preceding the beginning date of the program as indicated on the DS-2019 unless the participant is transferring to the University of Kentucky from another US institution or the participant's presence in the United States was pursuant to a Short-Term Scholar exchange activity
To maintain status, a short-term scholar must:
- Primarily teach, lecture, observe, consult or conduct research
- Have a maximum stay of 6 months
- Enroll in health insurance coverage, including repatriation of remains and medical evacuation after entering the United States (J-2 spouse and children included)
- Show adequate funding for the length of time requested
NOTE: While in the United States, all J-1 Exchange Visitors are prohibited from changing categories within the J status. For example, a J-1 Research Scholar may not change to J-1 Short-term Scholar or vice versa inside the United States.
Responsibilities of the J-1 Scholar
- Keep your passport valid at all times.
- Report any local address changes to the J-1 Advisor within 10 days of the change.
- Maintain enrollment in a health insurance policy that meets the University’s requirements
- Apply for a Social Security Number (if you are on the university's payroll). Click here for social security information.
- Apply for an extension of the DS-2019 (if needed) by submit the following prior to expiration date:
- A letter from the Department Chair specifying date of extension and amount and source of financial support
- Proof of continuing health and medical evacuation insurance coverage (including dependents, if applicable).
- Complete the Departure Notification Form and submit it to the J-1 Advisor prior to leaving the University of Kentucky.