International visitors to the University of Tennessee are an import part of the campus community and facilitate the global network at UTK. Several options are available to facilitate different visitor objectives and activities.

The B status allows individuals to participate in temporary business (B-1) or pleasure (B-2) activities. While they may engage in business activities, they may not work. B Status is often used for short visits to the University of Tennessee.

The J visa is specifically designed to facilitate the exchange of persons for cultural and educational purposes. It is temporary in nature and has restrictions on who may qualify but is a useful option when considering a foreign national coming to UT for a visit. Full-time employees of UT Knoxville can request to host an Exchange Visitor. Persons who are administratively affiliated but not full-time employees may be able to host an Exchange Visitor under some circumstances.

The University of Tennessee is authorized to host several categories of Exchange Visitor. Each category has a slightly different objective associated with it.

 

J-1 Research Scholar/Professor

Primary Purpose	Conducting research and/or teaching with a specific objective agreed upon by the hosting department and Exchange Visitor. May be subject to 12 and 24 months participation bars.
Duration	5 year maximum.
Position Restrictions	Position may NOT hold or be candidates for tenure. The position must be temporary in nature. This is not a status that can be used to hire non-citizen employees into permanent positions.
Cost	$200 fee paid to ISSS. If this placement is off-campus, a $500 site visit fee will be required.
Departmental Responsibility	Providing oversight of Exchange Visitors activity. Conduct an on-boarding program and provide a cultural enrichment program during the visitor’s stay. Update ISSS on any issues or incidents involving the visitor.
Funding Source	May be on university payroll or have funding from outside of UT (home government or institution). Exchange Visitors not on UT payroll  will need to be reviewed for the Visitor Engaged in Research process.
Dependents	J-2 Dependents spouse and minor children.  A dependent may apply for work permission and may enroll in classes.

J-1 Short-Term Scholar

Primary Purpose	Conducting research and/or teaching with a specific objective agreed upon by the hosting department and Exchange Visitor. Note, the Short-Term Scholar is exempt from participation bars.
Duration	6 Months.
Position Restrictions	Position may NOT hold or be candidates for tenure. The position must be temporary in nature. This is not a status that can be used to hire non-citizen employees into permanent positions.
Cost	$200 fee paid to ISSS. If this placement is off-campus, a $500 site visit fee will be required.
Departmental Responsibility	Providing oversight of Exchange Visitors activity. Conduct an on-boarding program and provide a cultural enrichment program during the visitor’s stay. Update ISSS on any issues or incidents involving the visitor.
Funding Source	May be on university payroll or self-funded. Self-funded Exchange Visitors will need to be reviewed for the Visitor Engaged in Research process.
Dependents	J-2 Dependents spouse and minor children.  A dependent may apply for work permission and may enroll in classes.

J-1 Specialist

Primary Purpose	An expert demonstrating, observing, or consulting on a specialized field of knowledge or with a specialized skillset with a specific objective agreed upon by the hosting department and Exchange Visitor.
Duration	12 Months.
Position Restrictions	Position may NOT hold or be candidates for tenure. The position must be temporary in nature. This is not a status that can be used to hire non-citizen employees into permanent positions.
Cost	$200 fee paid to ISSS. If this placement is off-campus, a $500 site visit fee will be required.
Departmental Responsibility	Providing oversight of Exchange Visitors activity. Conduct an on-boarding program and provide a cultural enrichment program during the visitor’s stay. Update ISSS on any issues or incidents involving the visitor.
Funding Source	May be on university payroll or self-funded.
Dependents	J-2 Dependents spouse and minor children.  A dependent may apply for work permission and may enroll in classes.

J-1 Student Intern

Primary Purpose	A current student at an international postsecondary academic institution whose U.S. internship will fulfill the educational objectives of the current degree program.
Duration	12 Months.
Position Restrictions	Position may NOT hold a permanent position of any kind. The position must be an internship.
Cost	No cost to the hosting department.
Departmental Responsibility	Providing oversight of Exchange Visitors activity. Conduct an on-boarding program and provide a cultural enrichment program during the visitor’s stay. Must complete a DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan. Update ISSS on any issues or incidents involving the visitor.
Funding Source	May be on university payroll or self-funded.
Dependents	J-2 Dependents spouse and minor children.  A dependent may apply for work permission and may enroll in classes.

J-1 Intern

Primary Purpose	Enhance the skills and expertise of exchange visitors in their academic or occupational field through a structured, guided program of work-based training exposing the participants to American techniques, methodologies, and expertise.
Duration	12 Months.
Position Restrictions	Position may NOT hold a permanent position of any kind. The position must be an internship. Furthermore, it cannot displace any temporary or part-time American workers.
Cost	$200 fee paid to ISSS. If this placement is off-campus, a $500 site visit fee will be required.
Departmental Responsibility	Providing oversight of Exchange Visitors activity. Conduct an on-boarding program and provide a cultural enrichment program during the visitor’s stay. Must complete a DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan. Update ISSS on any issues or incidents involving the visitor.
Funding Source	May be on university payroll or self-funded.
Dependents	J-2 Dependents spouse and minor children.  A dependent may apply for work permission and may enroll in classes.