Scholars

The J Exchange Visitor visa process is quite extensive as the purpose of the program is “to foster the exchange of ideas between Americans and foreign nationals and to stimulate international collaborative teaching, lecturing and research efforts. The exchange of professors and research scholars promotes the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment, and linkages between research and educational institutions in the United States and foreign countries. It does so by providing foreign professors and research scholars the opportunity to engage in research, teaching and lecturing with their American colleagues, to participate actively in cross-cultural activities with Americans, and ultimately to share with their countrymen their experiences and increased knowledge of the United States and their substantive fields.” 22 CFR 62.20(b). The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) for the express purpose of promoting international educational exchange of expertise and stimulating collaborative teaching and research efforts.

To become a visiting professor at UW-Platteville in the J-1 visa category, a UW-Platteville department must first issue a letter of invitation to the candidate. When a UW-Platteville department invites a visiting professor from abroad for the purposes of teaching, observing, lecturing, consulting, and/or research, a J-1 visa is the appropriate visa for the visitor. The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office will need to issue a Form DS-2019 for the visiting professor so that s/he may apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate.   

To be issued a DS-2019, the UW-Platteville host department must first request to invite the visiting professor, and then the host department and the visiting professor must work together to complete the online application. Please contact Nina Elskamp, Exchange Coordinator, in the International Programs Office for further details and instructions on how to apply.