ISSS

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Central Washington University accepts Exchange Visitors in three non-student categories: Professor, Research Scholar, and Short-Term Scholar. Each category is distinct based on the activities to take place at CWU, as well as requirements and limitations.

• Professor and Research Scholar Category

  To qualify for Professor, the primary purpose of the visitor’s stay must be teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting; research may also be a component of the proposed program.

  To qualify for Research Scholar, the primary purpose of the visitor’s stay must be conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project; teaching or lecturing may also be a component of the proposed program.

  Visitors under the Professor or Research Scholar categories are expected to have the appropriate credentials for their proposed program. At minimum, visitors must have completed a bachelor’s degree. The proposed program must be at least three weeks and no more than five years in duration and the visitor may not be a candidate for a tenure-track position.

  Depending on prior participation as an exchange visitor, visitors proposing participation under the Professor or Research Scholar categories may be subject to one or both of two separate bars on repeat participation.

  • If the visitor was present in the US in any J status, including J-2 (dependent) status, for all or part the 12-month period immediately preceding the new program’s proposed start date, the visitor is ineligible to participate, unless he or she meets one or more of three exceptions:
    1. The visitor will begin a new program by transferring from a previous program sponsor to CWU.
    2. Prior J status was less than 6 months in duration (presence in the US). (NB: If any part of that J status took place during the twelve-month period, the full duration of that status is counted.)
    3. Prior J status was in the Short-Term Scholar category; such status does not trigger the bar.
  • Previous participation in the Professor or Research Scholar categories or as the J-2 dependent of a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar subjects the Exchange Visitor to a 24-month bar on repeat participation in either of the following circumstances:
    1. The Professor or Research Scholar completes a full 5 years of program participation with one or more sponsors. (NB: The five-year window opens on the program start date listed on the DS-2019 and runs continuously until closed, whether or not the scholar uses it. It is not an aggregate of physical presence.)
    2. The Professor or Research Scholar formally completes program at any time during the 5-year window, meaning the SEVIS record is rendered “Inactive” or “Terminated”. (NB: In this scenario, the Professor or Research Scholar loses any unused portion of the 5-year window, and the bar commences the day after the SEVIS record’s status is changed to “Inactive” or “Terminated”.)
• Short-Term Scholar Category

  The purpose of the Short-Term Scholar is to facilitate “short-term collaboration and interchange” and can be somewhat more specialized than the Professor or Research Scholar categories.

  To qualify for Short-Term Scholar, the purpose for the visitor must be “lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills”, and the visitor must have the qualifications appropriate to the proposed activity. While there is no minimum duration of stay, Short-Term Scholars are subject to a maximum stay of six (6) months and may not extend their stay.

• Attending Classes

  Attending classes at CWU may be one small component of a scholar’s proposed academic program, but it may not be the scholar’s sole or primary purpose. In such a case, the individual should apply to CWU as a Non-Matriculated (Guest) Student and obtain an F-1 visa.

  Scholars who wish to incorporate attending classes, whether for credit or not, into a larger academic program, must also apply and be admitted as a Non-Matriculated (Guest) Student. In accordance with the CWU's Auditing Policy, even those who do not wish to receive credit must formally register for the desired class and pay the applicable tuition.

  Attending a class to observe the instructor’s pedagogical techniques would not constitute attendance in the above sense, but would require the instructor’s permission.

• Application Process

  J-1 visiting scholars must have a CWU academic department and corresponding CWU faculty member, willing to serve as a host. If a prospective scholar does not have a contact at CWU, OISP can forward their application, CV, and research proposal to the appropriate Department Chair to assist with inquiry.

  To apply to be a visiting scholar you must submit the following documents and information to OIS:

  • Application for International Exchange Visitors
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Detailed Research Proposal

  US Department of State regulations mandate J-visa sponsors verify and document that “exchange visitor possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis”.

  Exchange visitors may satisfy this requirement in one of the following ways:

  • Option 1

    • Proof of citizenship of an Anglophone country, in the form of a scanned, electronic copy of the biographical/photo page of a passport from any of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, [Anglophone] Canada, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, South Africa, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United Kingdom.

  • Option 2

    • Proof of having obtained a degree at an English-medium post-secondary institution or, in the case of Student Interns, proof of study in an English-medium degree program.

      • US institutions and institutions in other Anglophone countries: Official transcripts or a copy of the awarded diploma are sufficient.

      • Other institutions: Official English-language transcript and official letter from the institution verifying English as the language of instruction.

  • Option 3

    • Official letter from a language school or qualified individuals at an institution of higher education verifying the candidate’s English proficiency.

  • Option 4
    • Proof of sufficient score on an established English proficiency test (see chart). Scores must be less than two years old to be valid. The official report should be sent directly to OISP.
  • Option 5

    • Videoconference interview. The prospective scholar may contact CWU’s University English as a Second Language (UESL) program and request a virtual interview (via a videoconferencing program or, if necessary, via telephone) by qualified UESL staff. UESL staff will provide their determination regarding the scholar’s language proficiency, in a signed assessment submitted to the appropriate OISP staff.

  J-1 Category	TOEFL iBT	IELTS
  Student (undergraduate)	71	6.0
  Student (graduate)	79	6.5
  Student Intern	71	6.0
  Short-Term Scholar	80	6.5
  Research Scholar	80	6.5
  Professor	80	6.5

   

• DS-2019 / Immigration-Related Required Documents

  • Request for DS-2019 Form
  • Legible electronic copy of passport information page (no digital photos)
  • Documentation verifying sufficient funding
  • Electronic copies of any previous J-1 and/or J-2 DS-2019s
  • Legible electronic copy of the passport information pages for any accompanying dependents (no digital photos)

• Funding

  Sufficient funding for the length of the stay is required by the U.S. Department of State. Minimum funding to cover living expenses and health insurance at CWU are listed on the Request for DS-2019 form.

  To produce the DS-2019, our office must receive proof of financial support through one, or a combination of, the following:

  • Personal bank statement, which must show the following information:
    • Bank name
    • Date of issue
    • Name on the account
    • Amount of money in account(s)
  • Letter from the employer showing:
    • Continuation of salary
    • Amount of funding
    • Dates of funding
  • Scholarship, award, etc. letter (in English) showing the following information:
    • Name of sponsor
    • Your name
    • Amount of funding
    • Dates of funding
  • Parents or relatives supporting you:
    • Signed letter stating financial support during your stay
    • Copy of bank statement showing necessary amount of money

Insurance

• Health Insurance

  J-1 Visiting Scholars and their accompanying J-2 dependents are required to hold primary insurance and medical evacuation and repatriation insurance for the duration of their program.

  Minimum levels of health insurance coverage must provide:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per illness or accident
  • Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
  • Expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
  • Coverage of pre-existing conditions after a reasonable waiting period
  • Co-payments that do not exceed 25%

  The corporation underwriting the insurance policy must have one of the following ratings:

  • an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above; or
  • an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-i” or above; or
  • a Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A-” or above; or
  • a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above

  Failure to maintain insurance requirements for the J-1 scholar or J-2 dependents for the program duration will result in program termination. If program is terminated, scholar and dependents must return to their home country immediately. J-1 scholars (including J-2 dependents) cannot apply for reinstatement if their program has been terminated.

• Insurance Options

  While insurance can be purchased from any provider, a few we suggest are:

  • SO International Student Insurance: https://www.isoa.org/Plans
  • International SOS: https://buymembership.internationalsos.com/
  • LewerMark: https://lewerglobal.com/international-visitors/

Pre-Arrival, Travel, and Departing

• Obtain J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

  If you are outside the US, apply for a J-1 visa stamp at your nearest US Consular office/Embassy.

  Application for J-1 Visa requires:

  • Valid unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay)
  • Form DS-2019
  • SEVIS fee receipt
  • Evidence of financial support
  • Visa fee
  • Passport-size photograph
  • Additional forms and/or documents as required by the consulate at which you will apply

  If your family members (spouse and children under 21) will be applying for J-2 visa stamps, bring copies of the marriage certificate for your spouse and birth certificates for children.

• Pay SEVIS Fee

  The I-901 SEVIS fee, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is required before making an appointment at the U.S. consulate, applying for a change of status, or entering the US.

  Additional information on the SEVIS I-901 Fee can be found online.

• Report to OISP upon arrival to CWU

  You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before and no more than 20 days after the start date listed on your DS-2019. You must report in person to OISP after you arrive.

  Notify OISP immediately if there will be a delay in beginning your J-1 program more than 20 days after the start date listed in your DS-2019. Failure to update your SEVIS record will result in denial of the visa stamp or entry into the U.S.

  To complete the reporting requirement, you must attend New Scholar Orientation. During orientation, OISP staff will review your immigration documents, collect your U.S. address and health insurance information, and provide a general orientation to CWU and the U.S. OISP will reach out to each new scholar to schedule orientation.

• Obtain Health Insurance

  The U.S. government requires all J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents to have health insurance that meets certain minimum requirements.

  For detailed information regarding insurance, please see the Required Health Insurance section of our website.

• Secure Housing

  Scholars must live within 40 miles of the CWU campus at which their faculty supervisor is based.

  Ellensburg

  • While some scholars prefer to live off-campus in private accommodations, many find it more convenient to reside in university housing. However, it's important to note that CWU does not have housing specifically designated for scholars. University housing options include various apartments that scholars can request to live in. These apartments are also open to CWU students, so we cannot guarantee availability. Scholars are advised to allocate sufficient time for housing placement. For more information and the application for university apartments, please visit: https://www.cwu.edu/housing/apartment-list.
  • OISP is unable to assist with off-campus housing.

  Centers

  • CWU does not maintain university housing at any of its centers, so private accommodation is the only option. OISP is unable to assist with off-campus housing.
• Items to Carry with you for Arrival

  Immigration and travel documents

  • Passport, valid at least six months into the future
  • Valid J-1 visa — this visa is obtained through the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to you
  • Immigration Document — Form DS-2019

  Money

  • It is advisable to bring sufficient funds to cover your expenses for at least one month, including any additional payments you may need to make for purchases such as a car or a cellular phone.

  Important numbers and addresses

  • Home country address and phone numbers
  • U.S. address and/or phone number of contact, if available
  • Host department phone number and address
• Travel and Arrival to CWU Ellensburg

  • Use your original DS-2019 when applying for the U.S. visa stamp and at the U.S. port of entry.
  • Your passport, DS-2019, and financial support documents should be ready to show at the U.S. port of entry.
  • It is suggested to fly into the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SeaTac).
  • Make travel arrangements from SeaTac International Airport to CWU Ellensburg.
    • By airport shuttle (daily schedule, make a reservation) There are daily shuttles to Ellensburg, departing roughly every 2 1/2 hours.
    • Driving by car (directions to CWU, map of campus)

• Departure

  J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents must obtain a travel signature on their DS-2019 prior to travel outside the U.S. in order to reenter.

  Your J-1 program at CWU will end when:

  • You reach the end date of your DS-2019
  • You leave earlier than the current end date on your DS-2019
  • You transfer to another university

  You have a 30-day grace period following completion of your program to:

  • Depart the U.S.
  • Apply for a change of status, if eligible

  If your program ends earlier than the end date listed on your DS-2019, then the 30-day grace period begins on the completion date of your program, not the end date on your DS-2019. If you wish to return to the U.S. in the future, please keep copies of ALL DS-2019s.

• Close Personal Accounts

  We advise you close out the following before departing the U.S.:

  • Bank accounts
  • Contracts with companies, such as phone, internet, water, electricity, gas
  • Insurance, but please maintain coverage during your grace period in the U.S.