Short-Term Scholar
Your short visit to the USA

You want to come to the USA briefly for a lecture, a consultation or a seminar? As a Short-Term Scholar you visit a host organization with the J-1 visa for up to six months, with no waiting period before or after. Ideal for conferences, seminars and workshops. We sponsor your stay and guide you through every step.

What you do as a Short-Term Scholar

As a Short-Term Scholar you give lectures, consult, train or demonstrate your skills during a short visit. The category is made for conferences, seminars, workshops and similar events where you bring your experience in a compact form.

Short and with no waiting period

The Short-Term Scholar does not trigger the twelve and twenty four month rules. That makes it a good way back in if you took part in another J program before.

Who qualifies as a Short-Term Scholar

  • You are a Professor, a Research Scholar or have a comparable qualification.
  • Your visit has a clear professional goal, for example a lecture, a consultation or a training.

Not sure your profile fits? Send us your CV and a short description of the planned role. We confirm your eligibility, free of charge.

Duration with no waiting period

A stay as a Short-Term Scholar runs for up to six months. The category is firmly limited to six months and cannot be extended. In return there is no waiting period before or after, and no waiting periods are triggered. For longer plans, Research Scholar or Professor is the right way.

Possible hosts

Hosts are organizations that benefit from your knowledge at short notice:

  • Universities and colleges
  • Research institutions and laboratories
  • Museums, libraries and professional organizations
  • Organizers of conferences and seminars

If you already have a confirmation, we move straight to the review. If you are still searching, talk to us about the timing.

How to check your eligibility

The first step is always a free eligibility check. You send us your CV and a short description of the planned role at your host organization. We confirm the right category and then guide you through the application, the DS-2019 and the consulate.

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No. The Short-Term Scholar has no waiting period and does not trigger the twelve and twenty four month rules. That makes it a good way back in if you took part in another J program before.
No. The category is firmly limited to six months and cannot be extended. For longer plans, Research Scholar or Professor is the right way.
The VisaNerd price depends on the duration. For a Short-Term Scholar of up to six months it is 3,900 euros. It includes the DS-2019, the SEVIS fee, a compliant health insurance, consulate preparation and our support. The consulate visa fee is separate.
Yes. A spouse and children can apply for a J-2 visa. We plan that together with your application.

At VisaNerd we sponsor strictly within the rules of the US Department of State (22 CFR 62.21) 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.