International J-1 Scholars & Students

The Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs, in concert with academic departments and the Intercultural Center, facilitates visiting scholars' and students' engagement in the RWU community.

International Student Admissions Information

International Student and Scholar Services

Roger Williams University sponsors J-1 Exchange Visitors in the following categories:

  • Students
  • Professors
  • Research Scholars
  • Short Term Scholars
  • Specialists

U.S. Department of State J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

The primary purpose of the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is to foster the exchange of ideas between Americans and foreign nationals and to stimulate international collaborative teaching and research efforts. The J-1 visa is the easiest and quickest visa to get, but it has certain limitations which must be considered when bringing foreign faculty members and researchers to the University. Additional information on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is available on the U.S. Department of State web site.

International Professors, Researchers, Short Term Scholars and Specialists

The Spiegel Center assists RWU departments in hosting J1 visiting Professors, Researchers, Short Term Scholars, and Specialists.  The Spiegel Center works with RWU departments to:

  • Determine Visa Eligibility
  • Prepare and Issue Visa Documents
  • Offer Advice on Immigration Procedures
  • Offer Counseling on Academic and Cultural Adjustment Issues

The Spiegel Center prepares and issues all immigration documents needed for non-immigrant professors, researchers, short term scholars, specialists and their dependents to obtain visas to come to Roger Williams University to study, teach and/or conduct research.  

Roger Williams University sponsors J-1 Visiting Scholars in the following categories: Professors, Research Scholars and Short-Term Scholars.

New Regulations for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement

Employment 
Prior to the start of your appointment and in consultation with your appointing department you must contact the Human Resources office at Roger Williams University to complete all necessary employment documentation.

Incidental Employment - Occasional lectures or consultations 
As a J-1 Scholar (professor, researcher or short-term scholar) your employment in the United States is limited to the position described on your DS-2019 form. Any additional employment, salary, lecturing and/or any consulting must be related to your current work and is restricted.
Employment or participation outside of your position noted on your DS-2019 requires written permission from ISS at the Spiegel Center.

Applying for a Social Security Card
To obtain a Social Security card present the completed Social Security card application along with the following 3 documents to a Social Security representative:
Valid Passport, I-94, and SEVIS DS-2019

Health Insurance Requirement
Visiting Scholars are required by regulation to maintain medical insurance that covers them (and spouse and/or children if they are in the U.S. in J-2 status) for illnesses and accidents during the entire period of time they are in the U.S. in J-1 or J-2 immigration status. Minimum coverage must meet DOS requirements. Failure to maintain insurance throughout their stay in the U.S. in J status could jeopardize their lawful immigration status.

J-1 Exchange Visitors Legal Rights & Protections

International Students

F & J Immigration Support

The Intercultural Center assists international students with their arrival and adjustment to Roger Williams University, including:

  • Determining Visa Eligibility
  • Prepare and Issue Visa Documents
  • Offer Advice on Immigration Procedures
  • Offer Counseling on Academic and Cultural Adjustment Issues
  • Offer Programs to Enhance the American Educational Experience

The Intercultural Center determines visa eligibility and prepares and issues all immigration documents needed for non-immigrant students and their dependents to obtain visas to come to Roger Williams University to study. IC staff can assist international students, scholars and their dependents with immigration benefits and procedures; advise them about their rights and responsibilities as non-immigrants living, studying and working in the United States; as well as offer advice about financial, academic and personal issues which may impact their legal status in this country and at this university.

International students are eligible for the J Visa category if they are supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds (for example: government or university funding) or they are participants in an exchange program between their home university and Roger Williams University).

They must also be studying in the U.S., pursuing a full course of study leading to a U.S. degree or engaged in a prescribed course of study (non-degree) that can be up to 24 months duration.

Health Insurance Requirement

J-1 Students are required by regulation to maintain medical insurance that covers them (and spouse and/or children if they are in the U.S. in J-2 status) for illnesses and accidents during the entire period of time they are in the U.S. in J-1 or J-2 immigration status. Failure to maintain insurance throughout their stay in the U.S. in J status could jeopardize their lawful immigration status.

Program participants and their dependents are required to have medical insurance coverage with the following minimum benefits:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
  • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
  • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

Student Employment

J-1 Students may, with prior written approval by the sponsor, engage in part-time employment that meets the following criteria: 1) it is related to the terms of the scholarship 2) it occurs on the RWU campus.
If it occurs off-campus students must show urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances occurred since acquiring J-1 student status.
International Scholar Services will make the determination as to whether such activity satisfies the criteria listed above

All necessary employment documentation must be completed prior to any employment - including a social security card application and other required tax documentation:
Employment and Tax Information
Information and tax forms on the IRS web site

You might also be required to file a Rhode Island tax return, which is separate from the federal return.
See their website for more information.

Applying for a Social Security Card
Social Security card applications are available online.

To obtain a Social Security card, present the following documents, along with a completed Social Security card application, to a Social Security representative:
1) J-1 Student's* Valid Passport 2) I-94 and 3) SEVIS DS-2019

J Exchange Visitors Legal Rights & Protections

General J-1 Support

Navigating requirements for J1 Visa exchanges can be challenging, but there are many useful resources that can help.

Contact

If you have any questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us at international@ecom888.com.