Sponsoring and Extending a J-1 Research or Teaching Appointment

On this page:

Before You Sponsor
How to Sponsor
Before You Extend
How to Extend

Before You Sponsor

The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is used most frequently for research appointments (including post-doctoral research positions) and instructional appointments that are not tenure-track.

Submit application 3 months before the start date. This allows time for the scholar to obtain or renew a passport if needed and apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate.

How to Sponsor

Gather the documents

1.: Cover Sheet
2.: Acceptable evidence to prove English language proficiency
3.: Appointment letter on department letterhead. Must include appointment start date, Columbia title of appointment, and salary.
4.: CV
5.: J-1 passport biographical data page
6.: J-2 passport biographical data page(s) for accompanying family member(s)
7.: Copy of any previous Form(s) DS-2019 from previous J-1 programs, if applicable
8.: Funding documentation. If Columbia University will not be financially supporting your scholar, the scholar must document the ability to cover living expenses, as follows: J-1 Scholar - $2,800 per month; J-2 Spouse - $1,000 per month; Each J-2 child - $500 per month. (Refer to the Funding Documents Checklist for acceptable documents)

1. Appointment letter on department letterhead. Must include appointment start date, Columbia title of appointment, and salary.
2. CV
3. J-1 passport biographical data page
4. J-2 passport biographical data page(s) for accompanying family member(s)
5. Funding documentation: If Columbia University will not be financially supporting your scholar, the scholar must document the ability to cover living expenses. J-1 Scholar - $2,800 per month; J-2 Spouse - $1,000 per month; Each J-2 child - $500 per month. (Refer to the Funding Documents Checklist for acceptable documents)
6. Copy of any previous Form(s) DS-2019 from previous J-1 programs, if applicable

Submit your application

Log in to the Scholar Sponsorship Portal (SSP) with your UNI and password to submit all three parts of your application

This application consists of 3 parts. All 3 parts must be completed before we receive your application. Contact us if you are a department administrator requesting access to the SSP.

Part 1: Completed by the department (contact us if your UNI and password isn't working)
Part 2: Completed by the scholar (per the scholar’s email address entered in Part 1)
Part 3: Completed by the department (the department user will get an email when the scholar completes Part 2)

Need more help?

For a description of the process, visit our SSP Overview page. Visit our SSP Department Guide for technical assistance.

This application consists of three (3) parts. All 3 parts must be completed in order to submit your application.

If you do not already have access to Compass, please complete the Departmental Access Request Form here. Otherwise, proceed to the CUIMC Department Compass User Guide for detailed instructions.

Part 1: Three (3) forms are completed by the scholar: Exchange Visitor Information, Health Insurance Attestation, Dependent Spouse & Children
Part 2: Three (3) forms are completed by the department: Exchange Visitor Program Details, Site of Activity, English Language Proficiency Verification
Part 3: Two (2) forms for review and certification by the Faculty Sponsor and the Departmental Administrator/HR Director. These forms must be initiated by the department.

We will contact you

Allow up to 10 business days for us to review and process your application. We will notify you by email when the Form DS-2019 is ready.

Extending a J-1 Research or Teaching Appointment

Appointment: J-1 Research Scholar Appointment
Maximum Extension Duration: 5 consecutive years

Appointment: J-1 Short-Term Appointment
Maximum Extension Duration: 6 months

How to Extend

Gather the documents

1.: Cover Sheet
2.: Reappointment letter on letterhead stating dates, title, and salary
3.: Funding documentation: If Columbia University will not be financially supporting your scholar, the scholar must document the ability to cover living expenses. J-1 Scholar - $2,800 per month; J-2 Spouse - $1,000 per month; Each J-2 child - $500 per month. (Refer to the Funding Documents Checklist for acceptable documents)

1.: Reappointment letter on letterhead stating dates, title, and salary
2.: Funding documentation: If Columbia University will not be financially supporting your scholar, the scholar must document the ability to cover living expenses. J-1 Scholar - $2,800 per month; J-2 Spouse - $1,000 per month; Each J-2 child - $500 per month. (Refer to the Funding Documents Checklist for acceptable documents)

Submit your extension application

Log in to the Scholar Sponsorship Portal (SSP) with your UNI and password to submit all three parts of your application.

This application consists of 3 parts. All 3 parts must be completed before we receive your application. Contact us if you are a department administrator requesting access to the SSP.

Part 1: Completed by the department (contact us if your UNI and password isn't working)
Part 2: Completed by the scholar (per the scholar’s email address entered in Part 1)
Part 3: Completed by the department (the department user will get an email when the scholar completes Part 2)

Need more help?

For a description of the process, visit our SSP Overview page. Visit our SSP Department Guide for technical assistance.

Log in to Compass (Hyperlink)

If you do not already have access to Compass, please complete the Departmental Access Request Form here. Otherwise, proceed to the CUIMC Department Compass User Guide for detailed instructions.

We will contact you

Allow up to 10 business days for us to review and process your application. We will notify you by email when the extended Form DS-2019 is ready.

Sponsoring and Extending a J-1 Research or Teaching Appointment

Positions that Qualify for a J-1 Research or Teaching Appointment

Application Timeline

Morningside Departments

CUIMC Departments

Morningside Departments

Need more help?

CUIMC Departments

Allowable duration of extensions

Morningside Departments

CUIMC Departments

Morningside Departments

Log in to the Scholar Sponsorship Portal (SSP) with your UNI and password to submit all three parts of your application.

Need more help?

CUIMC Departments

Log in to Compass (Hyperlink)