J-1 Exchange Visitors

J-1 Exchange Visitor program, now known as Bridge USA program, is managed by the US Department of State. There are some similarities between the J-1 and F-1 statuses. Both are run using the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). DS-2019 for is the J-1 equivalent of the I-20 form that F-1 students use.

Employment for J-1 Bridge USA participants is very restricted. Only activities listed on the DS-2019 form are permitted and general on-campus employment is not.

There are two additional restrictions that relate to J-1 program participation. Both are very important to understand. These two restrictions, if ignored, can absolutely jeopardize your long term plans.

212e Two-Year Home Residency Requirement: some participants will not be able to apply for employment visa categories (such as H, L, LPR) and K for two years following J-1 program participation.

J-1 Program Repetition Bar: In some cases, it is not possible to repeat a J-1 program for 12 or 24 months. More details here.

Language Assistants

Whitman hosts 2-3 Language Assistants annually. These are native speakers, usually from China and Japan, who provide linguistic and cultural support to Whitman College's foreign language departments. 

Language Assistants use a J-1 Professor visa.

Visiting Professors

Whitman invites 3-5 visiting professors annually. They come to teach or to work on research projects. 

Visiting Professors typically use J-1 Professor, Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar visa.