The United States created the J Exchange Visitor category for the purpose of increasing mutual understanding between the peoples of the U.S. and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. Where there is a clear relationship between institutions with an established exchange agreement, the DS-2019 document issued to the J exchange visitor confirms the partnership between institutions and establishes credibility in the visa application process.
Many of the international faculty members, researchers, and scholars who come to Indiana University are J-1 exchange visitors. University administrative and professional staff delegations from partner institutions coming to IU to collaborate on existing exchange agreements and develop new agreements will most often be J-1 Exchange Visitors.
Depending on your J-1 category, you may come here to work on a special project for a few days, or teach or conduct research for as long as five years.