What the Scholar program costs
One transparent VisaNerd price by duration
No hidden fees. You pay one VisaNerd price based on how long your program runs, the same across all four scholar categories. The certified sponsorship, the DS-2019 and the SEVIS fee are included; only the consulate visa fee is paid separately.
Price by duration
The VisaNerd price ranges from 3,900 euros for a short stay up to 10,000 euros for the full five years. The price depends only on the duration, not on the category, so a Research Scholar, Professor, Specialist or Short-Term Scholar of the same length pays the same.
| Program duration | VisaNerd price |
|---|---|
| up to 7 months | 3,900 € |
| up to 13 months | 5,200 € |
| up to 2 years | 6,400 € |
| up to 3 years | 7,500 € |
| up to 4 years | 8,700 € |
| up to 5 years | 10,000 € |
Prices as of 2026, subject to change. Specialist runs up to one year, Short-Term Scholar up to six months, so those categories fall into the shorter tiers.
What is included
- The DS-2019, your certificate of eligibility
- The SEVIS fee (220 $)
- A J-1 compliant basic health insurance for the full program, or your host’s plan where it meets the standard
- Preparation for your consulate interview
- Our support from start to departure
Not included: the consulate visa fee (about 185 $), travel and living costs, and the J-2 visa for accompanying dependents.
Health insurance
A J-1 visa requires health insurance for the full program. A compliant basic plan is included in the price. Many hosts, especially universities, already insure their guests; in that case we check that their plan meets the J-1 standard, which often means no extra cost. If you want broader cover, you can add a more comprehensive plan at cost.
We never hide the comfort insurance in the headline price. You see the basic plan included and decide yourself whether to upgrade.
Check your eligibility
Not sure which category or tier fits? Send us your CV and a short description of the planned role, and we confirm your category and your price, free of charge.
Questions & answers
At VisaNerd we sponsor strictly within the rules of the US Department of State (22 CFR 62.20) and current BridgeUSA guidance. What you read here is how we actually sponsor and what we require. It is practical guidance from our team, not legal advice; we confirm your eligibility as your sponsor contact, and the final visa decision rests with the US consular officer.