• The host organization has a business location in Connecticut where the exchange visitor's work will take place.
• The position is full time and at least 60% in-person (up to 40% of work hours may be remote).
• Responsibilities must have a research component and the work must related to one of the DHS STEM Eligible fields.
• The exchange visitor's salary must align with the host organization's salaries for similarly situated U.S. employees in similar roles, but no less than the "Required annual income before taxes" identified by the MIT Living Wage Calculator for the employment location in Connecticut, by county.

• The employee must be already in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa and has the ability to obtain J-1 visa status or be a noncitizen who is located abroad with the ability to come to the U.S. on a J-1 visa.
• Earned Bachelor's degree (minimum) and has appropriate experience and qualifications for the research position, as evaluated through the hiring process.
• English proficiency demonstrated by a valid English language test score: TOEFL - 79; IELTS - 6.5; CEFR - B2; Duolingo - 100.
• Health insurance meeting the full benefit requirements for the J-1 visa program.
• Must agree to maintain contact with UConn and participate in scheduled check-ins with UConn as visa sponsor and abide by all J-1 visa regulations.

• Ensure the exchange visitor is employed according to all local, state and federal laws, including export controls regulations and labor regulations.
• Provide the research scholar with an orientation to the workplace and in-person work site.
• Provide intentional opportunities for the research scholar to engage with U.S. culture.
• Provide data to UConn needed for its annual report to the Department of State for continued J-1 visa sponsorship approval.
• Maintain regular communication with UConn as outlined in the UConn-Host Organization agreement.
• Provide UConn access to the work location for site visits or visits with the exchange visitor, as needed.

• Work with approved host organizations to provide J-1 visa sponsorship for qualifying employees and J-2 visa sponsorship for their qualifying accompanying dependent family members.
• Advise the host organization on their responsibilities to host exchange visitors under UConn's J-1 visa program.
• Advise exchange visitors on the visa process and requirements to maintain J-1/J-2 visa status throughout the program.
• Provide a required orientation to the J-1/J-2 visa regulations to each exchange visitor hired through the Early Career STEM Initiative
• Complete required reporting in the DHS Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as necessary to maintain the J-1/J-2 status.

These fees are paid by the host organization to UConn. The host organization may not pass these fees on to their exchange visitors. Fees include visa sponsorship for the J-1 exchange visitor and J-2 sponsorship for any accompanying dependent family members.

Host organization application fee: $1,000

This fee is paid after UConn holds a virtual meeting with prospective host organizations.

Pay Host Organization Application Fee
For each exchange visitor:

Initial visa sponsorship request, 1 year: $2,000

This fee is paid after submitting the visa sponsorship request, but after UConn has confirmed that we can proceed with the visa sponsorship.

Pay J-1 Visa Sponsorship Request Fee

Each 1 year extension thereafter: $1,000

This fee is submitted at the time the visa sponsorship extension is submitted.

Pay Extension Fee