Below please find a list of the eligibility requirements for program participation:
The prospective EV has acquired a graduate level (Master’s, PhD) education/degree or has a minimum of a bachelor’s degree with several years of experience in their field or
area of research.
The prospective EV must demonstrate "sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, to successfully participate in an exchange visitor program and to function on a day-to-day basis." A prospective EV can establish sufficient proficiency in the English language by either:
Submitting a TOEFL/IELTS score, less than 2 years old from the date of submission that meets minimum score requirements as detailed on the ISSS J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) English Language Proficiency Policy Webpage
Satisfactory completion of the Scholar Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA), administered by the Stevens' English Language Communications (ELC) department. To request the SOPA, please complete and submit the SOPA Request Form to the ELC department by emailing Samaneh Jafari at [email protected].
The prospective EV must possess sufficient funds for the entire duration of the program. The minimum level of funding required per month is $2,400 with an additional $500 per month needed for a spouse and $400 per child in J-2 dependent status. The program may be funded through the following sources:
Fully funded by Stevens as stipulated in the offer/invitation letter
Partially funded by Stevens as stipulated in the offer/invitation letter and partially funded from other resources
Funded fully by other resources (including personal funds)
*Financial support may consist of a sponsorship letter from the prospective EV's home institution, original or notarized copies of bank statements, U.S. foreign government
sponsorship letters, home country employer, international organization, etc. All financial documents must be in the English language.
The prospective EV must have sufficient health and accident insurance for the entire duration of the program for self and any J-2 dependents that may accompany the EV to the U.S. For additional information on the health insurance coverage requirements, please review the information available on the ISSS Insurance Requirements and Agreement Form.
The appropriate J-1 category for the prospective EV should be selected based on the purpose and length of the contract or program. Please note that ISSS will confirm eligibility for the selected category once additional information is received from the prospective EV. If it is determined that the prospective EV is not eligible for the requested category, or if additional information to make a final decision about the selected category is needed, ISSS will contact the department.
PROFESSOR: Primary objective is to teach courses at Stevens, however, some research is permissible with authorization from ISSS. There is a 5-year limit on the total stay.
RESEARCH SCHOLAR: Primary objective is to conduct research, however, some teaching is permissible with authorization from ISSS. There is a 5-year limit on the total stay.
SHORT-TERM SCHOLAR: Teach courses or conduct research. There is a 6-month limit on the total stay.
An EV may be required to comply with the 2-Year Home Residence Requirement if the funding received for their program is from the U.S. government, home government, or an international organization, or if they worked or studied in a field that appears on the U.S. Department of State Skill List. The skills list is a list of fields of specialized knowledge and skills that are needed in an EV's country of last permanent residence.
An EV may also become subject to the 2-Year Repeat Participation Bar under the research scholar or professor categories. For additional information, please visit the ISSS Bars to J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Participation Webpage.
To be completed and submitted by the sponsoring department:
J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Scholar/Professor Department Request
Prospective EV’s English language CV
Offer/invitation letter prepared by the Stevens Division of Human Resources
To be completed and submitted by the sponsoring department and the prospective EV:
SOPA Request Form if this is the preferred method to meet the English language requirement. Please refer to the information provided above for further details.
To be completed and submitted by the prospective EV:
Passport identification page
If the prospective EV is currently in the U.S., copies of current Forms DS-2019 or I-20 and visa page for self and any dependents that have accompanied the EV (if any)
Copies of previously issued Forms DS-2019 or I-20 and visa page for self and any dependents that have accompanied the prospective EV (if any)
Financial documentation with sufficient funds for the entire duration of the program. The minimum level of funding required per month is $2,400 with an additional $500 per month needed for a spouse and $400 per child in J-2 dependent status. The program may be funded through the following sources:
Fully funded by Stevens as stipulated in the offer/invitation letter
Partially funded by Stevens as stipulated in the offer/invitation letter and partially funded from other resources
Funded fully by other resources (including personal funds)
*Financial support may consist of a sponsorship letter from the prospective EV's home institution, original or notarized copies of bank statements, U.S. foreign government
sponsorship letters, home country employer, international organization, etc. All financial documents must be in the English language.
For any family members that may accompany the prospective EV as J-2 dependents, ISSS will require the following documents:
The completed J-2 Dependent Request Form
Passport identification page for each dependent
Proof of relationship, translated into English (marriage or birth certificate)
Proof of funding for each dependent. Please refer to the information provided above for further details.