The purpose of the J-1 Exchange Program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. The exchange of visiting scholars and interns promotes interchange of knowledge and skills, mutual enrichment, and stronger links between research and educational institutions in U.S. and foreign countries.
Any active faculty or research member who holds an active Texas A&M University academic appointment may sponsor a visiting scholar or professor or student intern to conduct research or teach at Texas A&M.
Please note that Immigration Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is the authority on all matters related to J-1 programs. Engineering Human Resources is the authority on all Visa Waiver programs and Non-J-1 visitors.
Application Process
The hosting department will initiate all J-1 requests via the Engineering Visiting Scholar & Intern Requests link. Requests can be submitted up to six months prior to the planned visit date.
Proper planning is crucial to the timely processing of documents. The approval process takes time, so it is important that the department start the invitation process at least two months prior to the intended arrival date of the exchange visitor. Please be aware that visitors coming from countries considered high-risk under System Regulation 15.05.04, High Risk Global Engagement and High Risk International Collaborations, may be subject to additional reviews pursuant to this policy. These reviews can significantly delay the approval process. If your visitor's request requires additional review, you will be notified accordingly. Please note that such reviews may take several weeks to months, and final approval for the visitor's program is not guaranteed.
Engineering Human Resources will request and collect all required documentation and information from the prospective exchange visitor and forward a complete application packet to ISSS.
Please send any questions or concerns to engineeringhrvisitors@tamu.edu
Foreign Influence and Security Assessment Fee
Engineering Human Resources assesses each sponsoring representative of Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station fees for immigration-related services provided. These fees are utilized to account for costs associated with Engineering Human Resources and visitor visa processes. Visit the Immigration and Visitor Service Fees webpage for more information.
Engineering Exchange Visitors
While most engineering exchange visitors financially support themselves with funding they have received from their home institution or government, other than Postdocs, there are times when faculty hosts wish to provide financial support to their visitor during their stay. This applies to J-1 and Non-J-1 visitors (US and permanent residents) only. Please reference Payments to J-1 Exchange Visitors for guidelines.
A faculty member wishing to provide their visitor monthly financial support will complete the Payroll/Stipend questions on the visitor request to determine whether the visitor will need to be placed on payroll or will be eligible to receive a monthly “stipend.” If utilizing the electronic J-1 Exchange Visitor Request, the financial support information is captured at that point. If it is determined that the visitor will be placed on payroll, Engineering HR will coordinate with the department.
Please visit the Immigration Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) website for additional information on J-1 scholars and interns.