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MERCER FACULTY ABROAD
Mercer faculty members have the opportunity to visit, research, or teach at one of the University's partner universities, which include:
For more information, contact Eric Spears at 478.301.2573 or spears_ek@mercer.edu
MERCER FACULTY INVITING FOREIGN FACULTY
For more information, contact Jim Kenaston at 478.301.5964 (Macon), Ann Stewart (Atlanta) 678.547.6151 or Eric Spears at 478.301.2573.
When a department wishes to bring an international researcher, scholar or visiting professor to the U.S. to undertake research, teaching, or observation activities on a short-term basis, that department must execute the attached Request for J-1 Visa Document and send it to the Office of International Programs. The request must be accompanied by a copy of the letter of invitation, specifying the visitor's duties and the source of funding during the visitor's stay. If the funding will be from the visitor's country or institution or another source, an original letter from the sponsor must be included. The letter must specify the amount and duration of the support.
Please be specific when completing items concerning the legal residency, the visitor's position in his/her home country, and the source of funding, as they have a direct bearing on applicability of the two-year foreign-residence requirement of U.S. law. In some instances, the legal residency of the visitor may not be the same as his/her country of citizenship. Under current U.S. law, some visitors may be subject to the two-year home-residence requirement upon completion of their programs because of their specialized knowledge and skills or their source of funding.
If the visitor is currently in the United States on a J-1 visa, please have them complete the Transfer Form and give it to their international office.
IMPORTANT: According to the rules and regulations governing the J-1 exchange visitors program, the Office of International Programs is prohibited by the US Department of State from issuing a DS-2019 to begin a new program under the professor/researcher category to visitors who have been in the United States in the preceding 12 months on a J visa in any category. Exceptions to this rule are those who were here in the "Short Term Scholar" category, were in the U.S. for less than 6 months, or are transferring directly from another program. In order to ensure compliance with these rules, please have the prospective visitor complete the attached J-1 Status Eligibility Form (Page 2 of the Request form).
When the above documents are received and reviewed, the visa document DS-2019 will be sent directly to the visitor with a cover letter, a copy of which will be forwarded to the department as notification that the document has been sent.
Once the DS-2019 has been issued, we will send a photocopy to your office.
ARRIVAL OF INTERNATIONAL VISITOR
NOTE: J-1 visitors MUST report to International Programs no later than 30 days after the reporting date on the DS-2019 or they will be out of visa status. It is vital that you notify the International Progrms IMMEDIATELY of any delay in arrival beyond that date so that a new form can be issued.
Upon arrival of the visitor, the department should make photocopy of the DS-2019, passport identification page, visa, and I-94 and forward it to the Office of International Programs. If the visitor is accompanied by any dependents, we would appreciate copies of their documents as well. This information is routinely kept on all international students and scholars and is considered confidential. Additionally, we will send a letter to the prospective J-1 exchange visitor telling him/her that he/she must contact the Office of International Programswithin five days of arrival to make an appointment for a mandatory orientation session, in order to avoid going out of visa status and inadvertently finding him/herself to be in the U.S.A. illegally. The visitor can bring the documents to the Office of International Programs when this visit is made.
EXTENSIONS OF STAY
US Department of State regulations dictate that J-1 participants can engage in their research and teaching responsibility for up to three years. Your department may choose to request the DS-2019 to be issued for only one year at a time. If you do, a visitor who will be continuing his/her status with your department must have his/her "stay" extended. To initiate the extension procedure, the department should send a J-1 Extension Request Form to International Programs at least one month prior to the expiration date on the visitor's DS-2019. A new document will be prepared and the foreign visitor will be notified to come to this office to complete the procedure. He/she will need to bring the passport at that time. Six-month extension beyond the three year limitation may be possible if the professor or researcher need this additional period to complete his/her responsibilities. Please refer all questions to the Office of International Programs.
We will forward a photocopy of the DS-2019 for extension to your office.
INSURANCE COVERAGE FOR J-1 VISITORS
US Department of State regulations require Mercer to monitor insurance coverage for exchange visitors and their dependents on campus. The regulations establish minimum coverage as follows:
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500.00
- Expenses associated with medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his/her home country in the amount of $10,000.00
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000.00 per accident or illness
- A co-payment not greater than 25%
- A waiting period for pre-existing conditions that is reasonable by the current industry standards.
- A deductible not greater than $500.00 per accident or illness
- Coverage for activities inherent to the exchange program
DEPARTURE OF INTERNATIONAL VISITOR
When the visitor has completed his/her program in your department, please complete the attached Termination Report and forward it to this office within 10 days before the expiration of the current DS-2019 form. In some cases, the visitor may be transferring to another institution to continue the same activity. If this is the case, the visitor will need to notify the OISS of the program they intend to transfer to, and the intended transfer date, at least 30 days before his/her intended transfer date or current DS-2019 expiration date, whichever comes earlier.
REGULATIONS FOR EXCHANGE VISITORS
Exchange visitors who come to the United States under the auspices of this program are subject to certain federal regulations, summarized on the Agreement. If you or the visitor have any questions, please call this office.
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