The UF International Center is open for normal business hours, excluding UF holidays. Staff are available remotely, and in-person services are available 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
The University of Florida International Center (UFIC) is the official program sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State to administer J-1 exchange programs at the University.
Within the UFIC, the Exchange Visitor Services (EVS) unit is responsible for the following:
- Screening participants in J-1 exchange programs;
- Interpreting and implementing federal regulations that cover J-1 exchange programs;
- Administering the J-1 exchange program in a manner that fulfills UF’s objectives within federal guidelines;
- Collaborating with academic units to support J-1 exchange program success;
- And generally supporting and monitoring exchange visitors during their stay in the U.S.
The primary purpose of J-1 exchange programs is to foster cultural and educational exchange between Americans and foreign nationals, and to foster international collaborative teaching and research efforts. The various J-1 visa categories allow for work- and study-based programs, although no category focuses exclusively on employment.
This information on our site is intended for current and potential international students and scholars, as well as the UF administrators and faculty who support them. Please review it for information visa requirements, administrative and immigration processes, visitor resources, etc.
If you need further guidance or have other questions, feel free to contact us or visit anytime. We are here to help you!
| The University of Florida sponsors six exchange visitor categories | ||
|---|---|---|
|
Category |
Maximum Duration |
Description |
|
Professor |
5 years |
The primary objectives include conducting research, observation, and internship activities; teaching; and consulting in research-related projects and collaborations. Candidates must hold the equivalent of a U.S. Bachelor’s degree or higher. Part-time UF coursework is permitted, but it cannot be the primary objective, nor interfere with the primary objective(s). The UF host department may provide financial compensation; funds must be reported and reflected on the Form DS-2019. Invitation Process: Inviting J-1 Exchange Visitors |
|
Research Scholar |
5 years |
|
|
Short-Term Scholar |
6 months |
|
|
Student Intern |
1 year |
The primary objective is to engage in internship program activities in their academic field to fulfil a degree requirement. The primary objective cannot be employment or to fill a labor need. Candidates must be enrolled in a degree program outside the U.S. Candidates must engage in a minimum 32 hours/week of structured internship activities. Part-time UF coursework is permitted, but it cannot be the primary objective, interfere with the primary objective, and/or count toward weekly minimums for internship activates. Invitation Process: Inviting J-1 Exchange Visitors |
|
Degree-Seeking Student |
N/A |
The primary program objective is to pursue a degree from an accredited post-secondary academic institution in the U.S. Candidates must be admitted into the University of Florida and enroll as full-time students. Candidates must be substantially funded by a third-party non-personal source, such as an academic institution, employer, government entity, international organization, etc. Employment, including study-related activities, is permitted with UFIC authorization. There is no maximum duration; extensions are granted at the sponsor’s discretion as long as normal progress toward degree completion is verified. Invitation Process: Inviting Degree-Seeking Students |
|
Non-Degree Student |
2 years |
The primary program objective is short-term study at a U.S. institution while pursuing a degree at a non-U.S. institution, or for personal or professional enhancement. Candidates must enroll as full-time students, or else engage in full-time activities as required by an active UFIC-approved agreement. Candidates must be substantially funded by a third-party non-personal source, such as an academic institution, employer, government entity, international organization, etc. unless explicitly waived by an active UFIC-approved agreement. Employment, including study-related activities, is permitted with UFIC authorization. Invitation Process: Inviting Non-Degree Students |
NOTE: No J-1 exchange visitor may be employed in a tenure track position. There are strict limitations on patient care and contact. Most J-1 visa categories require there be no patient care and only limited incidental contact; the J-1 student intern category requires there be no type of patient care or contact at all.
|
Other Visa Categories |
|
Students who study at the University of Florida in another non-immigrant visa category may be required to change to an F-1/J-1 student visa category. This is especially true for any J-2 dependent children who will soon reach age 21. A change-of-status application for the dependent child must be filed prior to their 21st birthday. In some situations, J-2 spouses may need to change their visa category to pursue other activities. EVS staff can advise on the change-of-status process, but cannot advise on all available visa options. The following visa statuses are handled by UF Immigration Compliance Services (located in the main UF Human Resources building): Permanent Resident, H-1B, O-1, TN, E-3, EB-1, and EB-2. |