J-1 scholars can come to Emory in one of several categories:

• Research Scholar or Professor (must have earned at least a bachelor's degree in a related field)
• Short-term Scholar (must have earned at least a bachelor's degree in a related field)
• Specialist (must have earned at least a bachelor's degree in a related field)
• Student Intern (must be currently enrolled at a post-secondary institution abroad)

ISSS will work with your department to determine the right category for you.

The maximum length of stay for J-1 exchange visitors can range from 6 months to 5 years, depending on the category. More info >>

Back-to-back, repeat J-1 stays are not allowed per the aforementioned purpose of the J-1 program. Please review the J-1 option carefully from the beginning, paying particular attention to the purpose and the maximum stay permitted for each J-1 student/scholar category. Use of the J-1 Short-Term Scholar category to prolong one's stay will not be allowed. Between J-1 stays, please allow at least one academic year. At that point, the scholar may return for a different J-1 program objective. 

Some J-1 exchange visitors are required to return to their home country for 2 years at the end of their program, unless they request a waiver. 

Learn more >>

All J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents are legally required to carry health insurance while they're in the US. J-1 scholars also need to report their insurance coverage to ISSS.

As a J-1 scholar, you have 4 main options for meeting this requirement:

1. One of Emory's plans (Aetna POS plan or Kiser Permanente plan). If you are an Emory employee, you can sign up for subsidized health insurance as part of your benefits package. Learn more about your medical benefits >>
2. ISO (International Student Insurance). ISO offers plans designed specifically for J-1 scholars. Visit ISO's website for more info and to sign up.  
3. ISP (International Student Protection). ISP offers plans designed specifically for J-1 scholars. Visit ISP's website for more info and to sign up.
4. Insurance from an outside sponsor. If you're sponsored by an organization other than Emory—such as Fulbright—they might provide health insurance to you. If not, or if your outside sponsor doesn't provide insurance that meets the requirements above, you'll need to sign up for a different plan such as those offered by ISO or ISP.

Learn more about the health insurance requirement >>

You can bring your spouse or unmarried children under the age of 21 with you to the United States as J-2 dependents. 

J-2 dependents can apply for employment authorization after they arrive in the US. They can also study in the US. More info >>

Once your J-1 program starts, your department will submit an annual program evaluation form about the progress you're making in your program.

You have a number of immigration responsibilities as well, including participating in cultural activities, getting health insurance for you and your family, reporting any changes in your contact information, and more. What you need to do >>

There are 2 State Department restrictions on participation in the Research Scholar and Professor categories:

1. 12-month bar: To be eligible for the Research Scholar or Professor category, you can't have been in the US in any J status (including J-2) in the 12 months leading up to the proposed start date. There are 3 exceptions to this rule:
   1. Your J stay was less than 6 months.
   2. Your J stay was in the Short-Term Scholar category.
   3. If you are transferring between institutions, as long as there will be no gap between programs and you maintain your same program objective.
2. 24-month bar: After you complete your Research Scholar or Professor stay, you cannot return to the US in either of those 2 categories for the next 24 months.  Per the 2007 DOS memo, the 24-month bar also applies to J-2 dependents of J-1 Professors or Research Scholars. 

Per US federal law, J-1 scholars at universities cannot hold clinical positions or engage in any other kind of work that involves patient care or contact, including any work that would require a J-1 scholar to provide therapy, medication, or other clinical or medical care. 

The government prohibition includes but is not limited to internal medicine, specialty practice, sports or physical therapy, psychological counseling, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, social work, speech therapy, or early childhood education. 

Foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who wish to participate in clinical programs or training cannot be sponsored by the Emory’s J-1 program. The only institution authorized to sponsor FMGs as J-1 Alien Physicians for internships, residencies, specialized clinical training, and in other positions involving more than incidental patient contact, is the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). Contact Emory’s Graduate Medical Education office for more information.

If your J-1 scholar will not perform any clinical duties or patient contact/care, please indicate so in the J-1 scholar request e-form as you later complete it.

If your J-1 scholar will have incidental patient contact/care for their research, it must fully meet the following conditions set by the US Department of State. You will also need to prepare a letter signed by you and the School of Medicine Dean (or Dean’s designee). Please note that the US government requires a signature by the medical school dean or dean’s designee.

1. The program in which the J-1 scholar will participate is predominately involved with observation, teaching, or research.
2. Any incidental patient contact involving the J-1 scholar will be under the direct supervision of a physician who is a U.S. citizen or resident alien and who is licensed to practice medicine in Georgia.
3. The J-1 scholar will not be given final responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of patients.
4. Any activities of the J-1 scholar will conform fully with licensing requirements and regulations for medical and health care professionals in Georgia.
5. Any experience gained in this program will not be creditable toward the J-1 scholar’s clinical requirements for medical specialty board certification.

Here is a template letter for your convenience. Please print the letter on Emory SOM letterhead before signing. Please provide a signed letter to your department administrator to upload as they complete the remaining J-1 scholar request.

If you are unable to meet all of these requirements, please contact your ISSS advisor to see if another immigration status could be used instead as the J-1 category is not appropriate.