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International Services Office

 

Incoming J-1 Scholars

This page is designed to help you navigate essential immigration requirements and logistics for a smooth transition to GW as an incoming J-1 Scholar. Below, you'll find detailed information on key topics for J-1 Scholars. We encourage you to review these sections carefully to ensure compliance with U.S. immigration regulations and prepare for your time at GW.

Eligibility

English Proficiency

English proficiency is required for all J-1 visa categories. English ability must be sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis at GW and off-campus. English language proficiency can be verified by a documented sponsor-conducted interview, with a recognized English language test, or signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school.

Formal Offer from GW

All Short-term Scholars and Research Scholars must have a formal offer from a GW department before they are eligible to apply for J-1 sponsorship. Please note that tenure-track faculty appointments are not eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship.

Short-term Scholar

  • Duration: 6 months maximum
  • Must be a Professor, Research Scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments
  • Must have an official offer or invitation from a department at GW
  • Repeat Participation Regulatory Bars: None

Research Scholar and Professor

  • Duration: 5 years maximum
  • Must be engaged as a Research Scholar or professor abroad and whose primary purpose is:
    • Research Scholar: conducting research, observing or consulting in connection with a research project
    • Professor: teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting
  • Repeat Participation Regulatory Bars: There is a 24-month bar on repeat participation in the same category for all Research Scholar and Professor participants. Additionally, applicants who have been in the United States for all or part of the preceding 12 months in any J-category are not eligible unless they are transferring, were engaged as a Short-term Scholar, or they were present in the U.S. for less than 6 months in duration.

Note: The 24-month regulatory repeat participation bar is not equivalent to the 212(e) two-year home residency requirement. 

Arrival Information

Prior to arriving to Washington, DC and GW, J-1 Scholars will need to submit an "Arrival Information" eform in the ISOGateWay portal. Please use the below instructions to log into ISOGateWay and complete the form:

  1. Visit the ISOGateWay website.
  2. Click the link at the bottom of the page that says "Limited Services Login."
  3. You will be taken to another page titled "Login to ISOGateWay - Limited Services." The page will ask you for a University ID number, your date of birth, and a PIN.
  4. *Please note that your University ID on this page may not be your GWID. Please check your previous emails from the ISO to confirm if your ISOGateWay University ID is a GWID or a TEMP ID. If you cannot find your ISOGateWay University ID and PIN, please email the ISO at [email protected] to inquire.
  5. Once you are logged in, please scroll down and click the "New J-1 Scholar/Professor" link under the "Requests" section near the bottom of the page.
  6. On the next page, please click "Arrival Information" under the E-Forms section and provide the required information.
Scholar Online Check-In

After the ISO approves your arrival information, you will receive an email to complete the ISO Scholar online check-in. Please follow the steps below as soon as possible after you arrive in the U.S. to complete your Scholar online check-in:

  1. Click the link at the bottom of the page that says "Limited Services Login."
  2. You will be taken to another page titled "Login to ISOGateWay - Limited Services." The page will ask you for a University ID number, your date of birth, and a PIN.
  3. *Please note that your University ID on this page may not be your GWID. Please check your previous emails from the ISO to confirm if your ISOGateWay University ID is a GWID or a TEMP ID. If you cannot find your ISOGateWay University ID and PIN, please email the ISO at [email protected] to inquire.
  4. Click on the “J-1 Scholar Online Check-In” form and provide the required information. Note: you may use a foreign phone number in this form.

Important: Failure to complete your Online Check-In in a timely manner may prevent your eligibility for validation in SEVIS (U.S. Government immigration database), which may result in the loss of your J-1 immigration status and your ability to legally remain in the United States to pursue your program at GW. Until you have been successfully validated in SEVIS, you are not in "Active" J-1 status. 

If you have any questions regarding the ISO online check-in and/or in-person check-in, please email [email protected] or visit us during our office hours.

We strongly encourage that you complete the ISO Online Check-in prior to your orientation.

Mandatory Orientation

As a new J-1 Scholar, you are required to validate your status by attending an orientation session with the International Services Office. J-1 Scholar orientations are held virtually every other Friday at 2pm. Once your DS-2019 is issued, you will receive instructions for next steps including how to register for orientation. We strongly encourage that you complete the ISO arrival information eform and ISO online check-in prior to your orientation. You should attend the orientation session closest to your program start date. Scholars are expected to work with inviting departments to ensure the ISO orientation does not interfere with any other scheduled meetings.

If your travel plans change or you are delayed for any reason in arriving to Washington, DC or GW, please contact the ISO and your inviting department immediately.

Health Insurance

All J visa holders (including you your J-2 Dependents) are required to have health insurance coverage as determined by the U.S. Department of State for the duration of your program (start date to end date). There are many companies providing insurance coverage meeting the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program regulatory minimums.  Failure to comply with these requirements will result in termination of your program and your J-1 status. The ISO recommends additional insurance covering any grace periods you will use.

J-2 Dependents

The J-2 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to spouses and dependents (unmarried children under the age of 21) of J-1 Exchange Visitors who accompany or later join the J-1 holder in the United States. You will also be required to show sufficient liquid funds available for any J-2 Dependents (see below.) For information on how to add a dependent or benefits that a J-2 may qualify for, please contact the ISO at [email protected].

Proof of Funds

You are required to certify that you have sufficient liquid funds available for your expenses throughout the duration of your program. You will also be required to show sufficient liquid funds available for any J-2 dependents.

Please see the following requirements:

  • Scholars are required to show at least $2,000/month.
  • If you plan to bring your spouse or child(ren) you must show an additional: $1,000/month for spouse and $500/month per child.