Prospective Scholars

In order to participate in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, prospective international scholars must be sponsored by an SDSU department. Once a department has agreed to sponsor the scholar, they will need to work with the department's college immigration representative to gather the appropriate documentation in order to obtain authorization from the Office of Faculty Advancement to participate in SDSU's J-1 Program. The following J-1 visa categories are available for prospective scholars: Research Scholar, Professor, Short-Term Scholar, and Student Intern. For more information, please contact the designated immigration representative in the department's Dean's Office.

If the scholar is currently in the US as a J-1 scholar at a different institution, the scholar may be allowed to transfer to SDSU. The scholar will first need to initiate the process as described above. Once a department has agreed to invite the scholar to SDSU, they will need to complete the J-1 Transfer-In Request Form.

Note that prospective scholars must meet the minimum requirements in order to participate in a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program at SDSU:

English Language Proficiency Requirements
Minimum Financial Support Requirements
Minimum Health Insurance Requirements