Visiting Scholars

On-Campus Procedure for Hosting a Visiting Scholar

All Visiting Scholars at CCSU must be hosted by an academic department. Scholars interested in visiting CCSU are encouraged to make contact with the Department Chair of the appropriate academic department.

Under the J-1 Exchange Visitor status, research scholars and professors may come to the United States for temporary periods for the purpose of educational exchange. A professor is defined as an individual who is primarily engaged in teaching or lecturing, while a research scholar's primary focus is research.

A professor or research scholar has a maximum period of three (3) years to engage in research and/or teaching. The authorization is issued on a per-year basis, to ensure that the health insurance requirement is maintained. This category requires the minimum of a bachelor's degree and extensive experience in the field of study. J-1 Exchange Visitors/Scholars may not hold or be candidates for tenure. Furthermore, visiting scholars may be subject to the "two-year home residency requirement" if funding is from government sources or if the visiting scholar's field of study is on the "Exchange Visitor's Skills List" in the home country. If the visiting scholar is subject to this requirement, s/he must return to the country of legal residence for two years immediately following completion of the J-1 program.

If a visitor has been in the U.S. for 6 months or more in any J status during the immediately preceding 12 months, s/he may not eligible to become a research scholar or professor unless the scholar was categorized as a short-term scholar.

A background check initiated through the Office of Human Resources is required.  Because this process may take longer for individuals coming to CCSU from abroad, exchange visitor programs must be initiated well in advance -- at least six months prior to the intended start date of the residency.

Verification of financial support is required. Funding may be from the university, the exchange visitor's government, personal funds or a combination of all of the above.

The visitor is also required to show proof of health insurance that meets the required levels of health, medical evacuation and repatriation for himself/herself and dependents. Failure to obtain or sustain health insurance coverage will result in loss of legal non-immigrant status. Appropriate health insurance can be purchased through CCSU upon arrival to the U.S.

Visiting Scholars are allowed entry to the U.S. up to 30 days before Program Start Date on DS-2019.

Please contact Toyin Ayeni at ayeni_olu@ccsu.edu in the Center for International Education if a Visiting Scholars is due to arrive more than 15 days after Program Start Date.

Responsibilities of the J-1 Scholar

The Visiting Scholar must:

• Abide and comply by the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, U.S. laws, and your sponsor’s program-specific rules.

• Register and provide copies of  DS-2019, I-94, Passport and Health Insurance Card to the International Student and Scholar Coordinator.  

• Report e-mail address, phone number and address changes to the International Student and Scholar Coordinator.

• Purchase at CCSU or show proof of adequate health insurance as specified by department of Homeland Security for themselves and dependent during their stay in the U.S.  See:   www.exchanges.state.gov/ education/jexchanges

• Obtain travel signature prior to traveling outside of the United States including Canada and New Mexico (the travel signature is valid for  six (6) months).

• Depart the United States within 30 days grace of Program End Date.

Dependent Information:

• Immigration defines eligible dependents as spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21. 

• To request a DS-2019 for a dependent,  please submit a bank statement and photocopy of your dependent’s passport and dates for the dependent’s duration of stay in the U.S.

U.S. State Department Exchange Visitor Welcome Brochure 2008