J-1 Visiting and Research Scholar Program
About The Exchange Visitor and Research Scholar
The State University of New York at New Paltz welcomes Visiting Scholars from other universities or colleges for stays of varying duration in order to conduct research, and/or consult with faculty members at the university. The Visiting Scholar Program was established to accommodate scholars with who are invited to pursue their research and professional interests on SUNY New Paltz campus.
SUNY New Paltz includes the College of Liberal Arts & Science, School of Business, School of Education, School of Fine & Performing Arts and School of Science & Engineering. A Visiting Scholar must be appointed by the Provost at the recommendation of the appropriate academic Dean. Visiting Scholars need to abide by the rules, regulations and expectations of professional conduct that govern the New Paltz campus. Visiting Scholars are not employees of SUNY New Paltz and therefore are not entitled to compensation or other financial support from the College and will be expected to pay any expenses incurred while on campus.
Visiting Scholar Eligibility Requirements
SUNY New Paltz is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program. The program participants must comply with the regulations operated by the U.S. Department of State. Appointment as a Visiting Scholar shall be for a maximum period of two years or until the specified project is completed. The appointment may be renewed upon approval of subsequent research project(s). A visiting scholar may be invited in one of the following J-1 non-immigrant visa categories:
Categories |
Eligibility |
Maximum Program Duration |
|
Short-term scholar |
A foreign national who is a professor, research scholar, or person with similar education/accomplishments who enters the United States for a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or similar types of institutions. |
6 months |
|
Professor |
A foreign national whose primary purpose is teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at post-secondary accredited academic institutions, museums, libraries, or similar types of institutions. A professor also may conduct research where authorized by the sponsor. |
5 years |
|
Research scholar |
A foreign national whose primary purpose is conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited academic institutions, or similar types of institutions. A research scholar also may teach or lecture where authorized by the sponsor. |
5 years |
J-1 Visiting Scholars also need to abide by the following regulations:
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An exchange visitor cannot be a candidate for a tenure track position;
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Exchange Visitors in professor and research scholar categories are not eligible for repeat participation in the same category for a period of 2 years (24 months) after the end of the program, but the rule does not apply to short-term scholars.
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Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents must maintain health insurance as required by both the US State Department and the State University of New York (see below).
DS-2019 Request Requirements
The Visiting Scholars are required to submit a DS-2019 form sponsored by SUNY New Paltz for their J-1 visa application. The Form DS-2019, "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status" is the basic document used in the administration of the exchange visitor program and controlled by the Department of State that can only be produced through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This form permits a prospective Exchange Visitor to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain a J-1 visa to enter the United States. To request a DS-2019 form, you have to submit the following documents to SUNY New Paltz.Appointment or Acceptance Letter from Provost
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Passport for J-1 and each J-2 dependent (Valid for 6 months or longer)
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Financial Statements - The statements have to be in U.S. dollars and must reflect current balances issued within the past 3 months. Print out financial conversion, if funding is not in U.S. dollars.
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Letter of Fund Sponsorship - If your fund is sponsored by an institution or scholarship organization, the sponsor must provide fund sponsorship letter in English with the scholar's name, a sponsor signature, amount, and dates.
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Document of English Proficiency
Visiting Scholar Privileges
The Visiting Scholar designation may carry with the following privileges at SUNY New Paltz:
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can informally audit classes with permission of the instructor and registrar
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participate in seminars by invitation
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access facilities that the sponsoring unit may be able to offer
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use of certain campus facilities, including computer resources, the library, e-mail service and parking
Visiting Scholar Arrival Procedure
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Scholars must review the Orientation Guide online before their departure to the U.S.
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Upon arrival on campus, scholars and J-2 dependents must purchase health insurance for the entire program duration.
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Scholars must check in at the office of International Students Programs the day after their arrival to validate the scholar’s record in SEVIS, or the record will automatically terminate.
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Note: The International cannot complete this task without the scholar having reviewed the orientation guide and submitting all legal documents to verify legal status.
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Scholars must apply for their Social Security Number at the Social Security Administration (SSA) Office before they can engage in employment.
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Scholars will be assisted to apply for a campus ID and computer account.
Medical Insurance Requirement
Exchange Visitors including J-1 Scholars as well as their J-2 dependents are required to have health insurance in effect that covers accident and illness for the duration of their programs. Medical Insurance is required by the Department of State and the terms of this requirements are quite specific. All J-1 scholars and dependents in J-2 status must purchase the SUNY International Health insurance plan. The SUNY medical insurance coverage meets all points of the requirement. The medical costs are very expensive in the US; therefore, it is important to insure that all members of the family have adequate insurance for the total time that they are in the United States in J-1 status.
Visiting Scholar Responsibilities
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Financial responsibility - Exchange scholars must maintain the capability to meet their financial obligations at all times .
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Activities engagement - The activities in which Exchange Visitors are engaged must be consistent with the categories and activities listed on their DS-2019.
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Reporting requirement - Exchange Scholars must report to ISSO within ten calendar days of any changes in their telephone numbers, email addresses, actual and current U.S. address and site of activity.
