A J-1 scholar is any researcher, professor, or scholar who will come to A-State on a temporary basis. The scholar cannot be hired in a tenured position and may only work in positions related to their educational background.
There are several factors a department should consider before bringing a J-1 scholar to A-State.
- The department will be responsible to ensure the researcher/short-term scholar does what is stated he/she will would do while on campus and assist with the non-immigration needs of the individual.
- The department will need to determine the needs of the individual, and whether or not those needs can be met. This may include:
- Access to classroom facilities associated with the research, time with faculty, access to materials, etc…
- Office space, office supplies, etc…
- On-campus/off-campus housing,
- Access to library, gym, and other offices on campus
- Transportation to and from the airport and transportation within Jonesboro
3. The scholar will need to be made aware by the department that they are required by law to have insurance that meets the requirements on their DS2019 according to the Department of State regulations when they arrive. The proof of insurance will need to be shown to the Kimberly Winters in the International Student Services Office. The proof of insurance will need to be in English.
While the department is not responsible to provide everything, it would need to be made known to the researcher/ short-term scholar what A-State can and cannot provide and the researcher/ short-term scholar must accept this before arriving to avoid any issues that can affect the University.
Once the department determines the need of the researcher/short-term scholar and what A-State can or cannot provide, the department will need to follow these steps:
- Create an official offer letter that meets the following requirements:
- Must be an original hard-copy and signed by the Department Chair
- Must include the specific dates the researcher or short-term scholar will be on campus
- Should state the purpose of the visit
- Must include a statement that the offer is contingent upon successful completion of immigration and university documents. This way the letter can be submitted to the researcher, even if all immigration and university documents have not been completed.
- Show proof of funding to cover the researcher/shot-term scholar’s time here, whether that be from the department or the researcher/short-term scholar’s personal funds
- Show proof of English proficiency. (Check with the International Student Services office on what qualifies as English proficiency)
- Fill out the Preliminary data sheets
- Department completes Preliminary Data Sheet 1
- Researcher/short-term scholar completes Preliminary Data Sheet 2
- Send the offer letter and preliminary data sheets to Leah in the Immigration Unit of International Student Services at llewerttaylor@astate.edu
- Coordinate with Leah about how the researcher or short-term scholar will receive their immigration documents
- When the researcher/short-term scholar arrives to the campus, they must check in with their department and with the International Student Services Office, so that we can let the government know that the researcher/short-term scholar has arrived. The researcher/short-term scholar must bring with them their stamped DS 2019 (immigration form) and the proof of insurance. It is also to be noted that researchers/short-term scholars are subject to the mandatory health screening
