The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program at MSU is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. Each Exchange Visitor Program has a program description under which that program must operate and designates an individual or individuals as the University staff responsible for the administration of the particular J-1 program. The administrators responsible for the exchange visitor program at MSU are the Alternate Responsible Officers (ARO) in the Office for equity and Diversity, Jana Estergard and Lisa Searles. The information contained within this page and its links should help provide you with general information about the J-1 scholar status to help you understand the benefits and responsibilities of this status.

Exchange Visitor Designations

• J-1 exchange visitor professors and research scholars may be authorized to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program for the length of time necessary to complete the program providing the program does not exceed five years. 
• J-1 short term scholars are limited to a maximum of six months.