Visiting Scholars

Visiting scholar appointments are for individuals who have a clear academic or research purpose at Missouri State University. A visiting scholar may come to Missouri State to conduct research, teach, lecture, observe, consult, collaborate with faculty, or participate in other approved academic activities.

To be considered, prospective visiting scholars must generally

• Have an academic or professional background appropriate for the proposed activity.
• Have a proposed program objective that fits one of Missouri State’s approved J-1 Exchange Visitor categories.
• Have a Missouri State host department and faculty supervisor willing to support the visit.
• Provide proof of English language proficiency.
• Provide proof of sufficient financial support for the full program duration.
• Maintain required health insurance for themselves and any J-2 dependents.
• Meet all applicable U.S. Department of State and Missouri State requirements.

The J-1 visiting scholar program may not be used for regular employment, tenure-track employment, or activities that do not support the academic and cultural exchange purpose of the program.

A successful visiting scholar appointment requires a Missouri State faculty host and host department. Prospective visiting scholars are strongly encouraged to identify and contact a Missouri State faculty member whose academic interests align with their proposed visit before submitting an inquiry.

International Partnerships cannot guarantee placement with a Missouri State faculty host. Applicants who already have an established Missouri State faculty connection should provide the faculty member’s name, department, and contact information. Applicants who do not yet have a faculty connection may still submit an inquiry, but the request may not move forward unless an appropriate faculty host is identified.

International Partnerships will determine the appropriate J-1 category based on the proposed activities, program length, and applicable regulations. Missouri State’s scholar categories include:

Category	Common use	Maximum duration
Professor / Research Scholar	Research, teaching, academic collaboration, or other approved scholarly activity.	Up to 5 years
Short-Term Scholar	Short academic visits such as lecturing, consulting, observing, or short-term research collaboration.	Up to 6 months
Specialist	Exchange of specialized knowledge or expertise in a field of specialized knowledge.	Up to 12 months

Note: Some visitors may be subject to repeat participation bars, the Two-year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement (212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act), or other limits. International Partnerships will review these issues as part of the DS-2019 request process.

Departments and scholars should begin the J-1 visiting scholar process as early as possible. Visa appointment availability, administrative processing, document collection, and travel planning can take several months.

Recommended timeline:

• At least 3 months before the proposed start date: Host department and scholar begin collecting required documents.
• 8-12 weeks before the proposed start date: Host department submits the complete request to International Partnerships.
• After all required documents are complete and approved: International Partnerships prepares the Form DS-2019 and generates the scholar’s M-number.
• After receiving the DS-2019: Scholar pays the I-901 SEVIS fee, completes the DS-160 visa application, schedules the visa interview, and prepares for travel.
• After arrival: Scholar completes required check-in with International Partnerships so the SEVIS record can be validated.

 

The Form DS-2019 processing time is typically 3-5 business days after all required documents are received by International Partnerships. This estimate does not include the time needed for department approvals, document collection, account processing, visa appointments, administrative processing, or travel arrangements.

Prospective visiting scholars should prepare basic information about their proposed visit before submitting the Visiting Scholar Inquiry Form. Sensitive documents such as passport copies, bank statements, dependent documents, or immigration records may be collected later after host department support is confirmed.

Visiting Scholar Inquiry Form

After a Missouri State host department agrees to support the visit, International Partnerships may request additional documents needed for the DS-2019 process. Required materials may include:

• Invitation letter from the Missouri State host department.
• Passport biographical page for the scholar and each dependent, if applicable.
• J-1 Program Agreement signed by the scholar and Missouri State host department.
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Curriculum vitae or resume.
• Proof of financial support for the full program duration.
• Dependent documentation if the scholar will bring a spouse or children.
• Copies of current U.S. immigration documents if the scholar is currently in the United States.
• English translations for documents not issued in English, if requested.

Visiting scholars must provide proof of financial support for the full duration of the J-1 program. Funding may come from Missouri State University, the scholar’s home institution, a government scholarship, personal funds, or another approved source.

Minimum funding requirements:

Person	Required funding
J-1 visiting scholar	$1,000 per month
J-2 spouse	Additional $600 per month
J-2 child	Additional $300 per month per child

Acceptable proof of funding may include:

• Missouri State offer letter or appointment letter, if Missouri State will provide funding.
• Official scholarship or sponsorship letter.
• Home institution funding letter.
• Government funding letter.
• Bank statement or bank letter showing available funds.

 

Funding documents should clearly show the account holder or sponsor name, available amount, date of the document, and funding period. Documents not issued in English require an English translation.

 

All J-1 exchange visitors must have sufficient English language proficiency to participate successfully in the program and function on a day-to-day basis in the United States. Acceptable documentation may include test scores, a Certification of English Proficiency Form completed by the Missouri State supervisor, documentation from the scholar’s home institution, or another form of documentation approved by International Partnerships.

All J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents are required to maintain health insurance for the full duration of the J-1 program. Insurance must meet the minimum requirements established by the U.S. Department of State, including medical benefits, repatriation of remains, medical evacuation, and deductible limits.

Scholars should contact International Partnerships for information about enrolling in Missouri State University’s health insurance plan or confirming that an outside insurance plan meets J-1 requirements. Failure to maintain required insurance may affect the scholar’s J-1 status.

A J-1 visiting scholar may request J-2 dependent documents for an eligible spouse or unmarried child under age 21. Each J-2 dependent must have a separate Form DS-2019 and must maintain required health insurance for the full duration of the program. Additional funding is required for dependents. International Partnerships may request proof of relationship, such as a marriage certificate or birth certificate.

• Review your Form DS-2019 for accuracy.
• Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee.
• Complete the DS-160 visa application.
• Schedule and attend the J-1 visa interview.
• Prepare supporting documents for the visa interview and U.S. entry.
• Arrange housing in Springfield.
• Review health insurance requirements.
• Plan travel according to the program start date listed on the DS-2019.
• Contact your Missouri State host department with arrival information.
• Complete required check-in after arrival.

Contact International Partnerships before making any change to the J-1 program. Some changes must be reviewed and updated in SEVIS before they occur.

Examples of changes that require review include:

• Delayed arrival.
• Early departure.
• Program extension.
• Change in funding.
• Change in worksite, lab, or research location.
• Change in faculty supervisor or host department.
• Change in program activity or objective.
• Adding J-2 dependents.
• International travel after arrival.

Visiting scholars are responsible for arranging their own housing unless the host department has made other arrangements. On-campus housing may be limited and is not guaranteed. Scholars should begin housing arrangements as early as possible.

International Partnerships and the host department may provide general guidance about living in Springfield, but scholars are responsible for personal arrangements such as housing, transportation, banking, phone service, childcare or school enrollment, and other living needs.