Employment for J-1 Visa Scholars
RISD sponsors J-1 visas for faculty and staff who are visiting professors, research scholars, and short-term scholars. Here you can find information about your visa type and what requirements you have under your J-1 visa.
J-1 visas for faculty and staff
The J-1 professor, research scholar and short-term scholar categories are reserved for international faculty/staff hired by RISD. If you are a foreign national hired by RISD to teach a course or conduct research, the J-1 visa may be appropriate to you. Human Resources or Academic Affairs will connect you with our office accordingly.
J-1 professors
J-1 professors come to RISD primarily to teach one or more courses, but may also be engaged in research for the institution. The maximum duration for the J-1 professor category is five years. Once you complete a J-1 professor position, you must wait at least 24 months before applying again for the J-1 professor program, regardless of whether the initial position duration is less than five years.
J-1 research scholars
J-1 research scholars come to RISD primarily to conduct research for the institution, but may also teach. The maximum duration for the J-1 research scholar category is five years. The same conditions as those of the J-1 professor position apply here: you must wait a minimum of 24 months after your first position is complete before applying again for the J-1 research scholar program.
J-1 short-term scholars
The J-1 short term scholar program is similar in purpose to the professors and research scholars programs, but the maximum duration is six months. Short-term scholars are not subject to a 12-month or 24-month bar on repeat participation in the same category, but can not extend their term beyond six months.
Occasional lectures or short-term consultations
A J-1 professor or research scholar may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations, when authorized in advance and in writing by the program’s responsible officer, under specific conditions.
Such lectures and consultations must be incidental to the exchange visitor’s primary program activities. If the exchange visitor receives wages or other remuneration for such activities, they must act as an independent contractor.
Engaging in work outside of your primary employment with RISD without prior authorization from ISSA may constitute a violation of J-1 status.
If you are participating in occasional lectures or short-term consultations, please let us know by completing the J-1 Professor/Research Scholar/Short-term Scholar Occasional Lectures or Consultations form.
Out-of-country activity
If a J-1 visa holder in the professor or research categories is to perform duties related to their work at RISD outside the US, they need to complete the J-1 Professor/Research Scholar Out of Country Activity form so that we may keep their J-1 status active.
Professor and research scholar exchange visitors can participate in work outside the US if they are in pursuit of current and relevant program activities with RISD.
In order to complete the required out-of-country activity form, you must obtain a letter from your hiring department, printed on RISD letterhead.
Please note, an absence of more than 30 days from the US, without submitting documentation to ISSA stating that you are performing duties connected to your work at RISD, may be considered a break in program activity, which might result in the end of your J-1 status.
212(e) clause
212(e) refers to a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that requires certain individuals to return home for a minimum of two years following the completion of their J-1 program (the “two-year home-country physical presence requirement”).
When you receive a J-1 visa, the US Consulate will make a preliminary determination about whether you are subject to 212(e). Please note that this is not a final ruling.
If subject to 212(e), you become ineligible for an H, L, or Lawful Permanent Resident (LPR) status until you have satisfied the two-year home-country physical presence requirement.
12-and 14-month bars
The 12-month and 24-month bars refer to the specific amount of wait times after completing a J-1 program before you can apply for a new J-1 professor/research scholar visa.
If you have previously completed a J-1 professor/research scholar program, you must wait 24 months before you can apply for a J-1 professor/research scholar visa.
If you have previously completed any other J-1 visa category, you must wait 12 months before you can apply for a J-1 professor/research scholar visa.
J-1 forms
DS-2019 form
The DS-2019 form for J-1 professors, research scholars, and short-term scholars is available upon request by emailing our office.
Travel signature and validation
J-1 visa holders can email issa@risd.edu or bring their DS-2019 to advising hours to receive a travel signature. Travel signatures are valid for one year or until the end of your program (whichever happens first).
SEVIS transfer request
J-1 visa holders requesting to transfer their SEVIS record to another J-1 sponsor can complete the SEVIS transfer request form.
Program extension request
Faculty J-1 visa holders who have had their contract extended, or student J-1 visa holders who need more time to complete their coursework, can submit a program extension request. You must do so no later than two weeks before your current DS-2019 end date.
Please note we cannot extend the DS-2019 past the listed end date. We also cannot extend your DS-2019 beyond the maximum duration allowed by your J-1 category.