Categories of the Exchange Visitor Visa

Professor

An individual primarily teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting at a post-secondary accredited educational institution, museum, library, or similar type of institution. A professor may also conduct research unless disallowed by the mentor.

Maximum length of stay is 5 years.

Research Scholar

An individual primarily conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a research project at research institutions, corporate research facilities, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions. The Research Scholar may also teach or lecture, unless disallowed by the mentor.

Maximum length of stay is 5 years.

Short-Term Scholar

A professor, research scholar, or person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the United States on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary accredited educational institutions, or similar types of institutions.

Maximum length of stay is 6 months.

Specialist

An individual who is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill, coming to the United States, observing, consulting, or demonstrating special skills. This category is ideal for artists, dancers, and musicians who may not meet the standard eligibility criteria. Exception: professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, and alien physicians in graduate medical education or training.

Maximum length of stay is 1 year.

Student Intern

An individual who is currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a postsecondary academic institution outside the United States, whose U.S. internship will “fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution.” This is not the same as the J Trainee and Intern categories.

Maximum length of stay is 1 year.
Refer to the Student Intern Eligibility for additional information.