J-1 Exchange Scholars

Programs Information Brochure for BC Faculty/Staff

J-1 Scholar Program Information brochure for BC Faculty/Staff
(Click the image above to view the brochure…)

What is J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholar Program?

This is a program that Scholars facilitate the exchange of ideas, skills, research, teaching, etc., in a variety of fields between people of the United States and people of foreign countries. The duration periods are ranging from a few weeks to several years.

Which J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholar Programs/Categories Does Bellevue College Sponsor?

The U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS) allows Bellevue College (BC) to sponsor these J-1 Scholar categories: Professor, Research Scholar, Short-term Scholar, and Specialists.

Depending on which category you are interested and qualified for, the duration of stay of participation is different.

  • Professor: This category is for those primarily are involved in teaching, lecturing, observing or consulting at Bellevue College. A Professor may also conduct research.
    • Duration: Minimum is one quarter, and maximum is five years.
  • Research Scholar: This category is for those primarily want to conduct research, observe or consult in connection with a research project at Bellevue College. The research scholar may also teach and lecture.
    • Duration: Minimum is three weeks, and maximum is five years.
  • Short-term Scholar: A professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the U.S. on a short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills at Bellevue College.
    • Duration: Minimum is one week, but maximum is six months.
  • Specialist: This is for experts who will exhibit specialized knowledge or skills in the U.S. Such exchanges are primarily non-academic and provide opportunities to increase the exchange of knowledge and ideas between Americans and foreign specialists. (22 CFR 62.26)
    • Duration: Minimum is three weeks, and maximum is one year.
  • Completed an online J-1 Exchange Scholar Application Form (see details in the “How-To-Apply Instructions” panel above)
  • $50 Non-Refundable application fee, due with application
  • Personal Plan and Goal Statement
  • Resume/CV
  • Copy of Scholar’s passport photo and expiration date page(s)
  • Copy of dependent passport photo and expiration date page(s), who travel(s) with Scholar to the U.S.
  • Financial verification statements, in English, showing in USD the total required amount depending on the duration Scholar wishes to participate at BC
    • An additional $5,000 is required per dependent (spouse/child)
    • Statements must be dated within six months of application
  • $500 program fee, due with application. Additional $750 per dependent, accompanying with the Scholar
  • Proof of English language proficiency (e.g., TOEFL score, IELT score, etc.), or proof of waiver for English proficiency by BC Global Initiatives Department’s and BC Academic Hosting Division/Department’s interviews
  • BC Academic Hosting Division/Department Sign-Off form

It is mandated by the U.S. Department of State that all J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholars and their dependents must have medical insurance coverage in effect for the entire period of their exchange visiting program and coverage with the following minimum benefits [22 CFR 62.14]:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
  • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visiting scholar to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000;
  • A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

An Exchange Visiting Scholar must either choose one of the following options:

  1. purchase health insurance through Bellevue College-Foundation Arranged Medical Insurance Plan (named Firebird International Insurance Group, LLC.), OR
  2. purchase a health insurance plan from home country that meet all of the insurance requirements listed above and submit proof of your health insurance at the time of your application.

Source of Funding

Funding must come from a source other than personal or family funds. Funding can be financed directly or indirectly by the U.S. government, by the government of the Exchange Visitor’s home country, by an international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute, or by an organization where the Exchange Visitor is working at.

Program Cost

The breakdown costs below are suggestions of the minimum and required amounts. It is recommended that you should include the total amounts, SEVIS fee (about $220), Visa fee (about $160/each), and airfare to your initial budget.

Application Fee (Non Refundable)$50
Program Administrative Process Fee$500
Program Administrative Process Fee (for each dependent)$750

Medical health insurance is mandated by the U.S. Department of State (U.S. DOS). All J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholars and their dependent(s) must have medical health insurance coverage(s) at all time, for the entire period of their exchange visiting program. See the detailed required minimum insurance coverage benefits on the Insurance Requirement tab above.

An J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholar must either:
1. purchase the health insurance coverage plan through Bellevue College-Foundation Arranged Medical Insurance Plan, named Firebird International Insurance Group, LLC.OR
2. purchase a health insurance coverage plan from home country that meet all of the insurance requirements listed in the Insurance Requirements tab above.

For the health insurance coverage plan through Bellevue College, the detailed cost would be:

Health Insurance Fee, if purchase through BCOne to Two WeeksThree to Four WeeksUp to One Quarter (3-month)One Year (12-month)
Scholar (Primary) (through age 64)$82$161$483$1,932
Scholar (Primary) (age 65 & up)$230$491$1,473$5,892
Spouse (through age 64)$313$690$2,070$8,280
Child(ren) (Up to 26 years-old)$161$339$1,017$4,068

The Living Expenses amounts below are minimum amounts. It’s depending on where you stay and your lifestyle, so your actual living expenses might be higher than these amounts.

ExpensesOne Week3 Weeks to 1 MonthOne Quarter (3 months)One Year (12 Months)
Transportation(Not paid to BC)$10$40$120$480
Room & Board (Not paid to BC)$366$1,461$4,383$13,149

Duration of each J-1 Exchange Scholar program Bellevue College offers:
* Professor: one Quarter (three Months) minimum and five Years maximum
* Research: three Weeks minimum and five Years maximum
* Short-term: one Week minimum and six Months (two Quarters) maximum
* Specialist: three Weeks minimum and one Year (12 Months) maximum

ExpensesOne to Two Weeks3 Weeks to 1 MonthOne Quarter (3 Months)Two Quarters (6 Months)One Year (12 Months -
minimum)
Mandatory Medical Health Insurance$82 (or $230 for age 65 & up)$161 (or $491for age 65 & up)$483 (or $1,473 for age 65 & up)$966 (or $2,950 for age 65 & up)$1,932 (or $5,892 for age 65 & up)
Living Expenses$772$1,544$4,632$9,264$18,528
TOTAL (Estimated)$854 (or $1,002for age 65 & up)$1,705 (or $2,035 for age 65 & up)$5,115 (or $6,105 for age 65 & up)$10,230 (or $12,215 for age 65 & up)$20,460 (or $24,150 for age 65 & up)
Required Amount Shown
on Financial Statement(s) for DS-2019
$900 (or $1,100 for age 65 & up)$1,800 (or $2,100 for age 65 & up)$5,200 (or $6,200 for age 65 & up)$10,300 (or $12,300 for age 65 & up)$21,000 (or $25,000 for age 65 & up)


Scholars’ Stories:

Kunjie LU

Kunjie Lu - 2018-19 J-1 Scholar

Qin HE

Qin He - Fall 2018 J-1 Scholar

Weina SUN

Weina Sun - 2018-19 J-1 Scholar

James RIGGALL

James Riggall - OIE J-1 Scholar 2019

Djafe Djafari SIMBA

Photo of Djafe Djafari Simba - J-1 Scholar

Xiaofei (Sophie) SONG

Xiaofei SONG's photo

Last Updated January 25, 2024