Employment

Obtaining Your Visa

International scholars that will be guest researchers at Van Andel Institute require a valid United States (U.S.) working visa to perform research in the laboratories. You will need to go to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to obtain a J-1 visa.

See the Embassy/Consulate web site external link to find out which U.S. Embassy or Consulate you will need to visit.  You will need to bring your Form DS-2019 to the Embassy or Consulate and pay your SEVIS fee before your interview. The Embassy/Consulate web site will also tell you other information that you will need to know before you go the Embassy or Consulate, including:

  • Other forms you will need to complete
  • The visa processing fee and photo requirements associated with your non-immigrant J-1 visa application
  • How to make an appointment for an interview 

Once your visa interview is arranged, please contact Margie Hoving with your interview date. After submitting all of the necessary fees and documentation, if the Embassy/Consulate decides to grant you a visa, you will receive a J-1 visa stamp in your passport.  

For more information on the U.S. visa application process, please see Obtaining a U.S. Visa: A step-by-step outline of today's U.S. visa application procedures external link published by the U.S. Department of State. For more information, or if you have applied for a U.S. visa stamp at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and are experiencing difficulties, please contact Margie Hoving.

Visa Categories

It is important for an international scholar to arrive in the U.S. on the appropriate visa. If you are requested to participate in the Institute’s Exchange Visitor Program, you will be assigned one of the following categories of the J-1 visa based on your proposed program activities and the anticipated duration of your stay:

  • Research Scholar: Conducting research, observing or consulting in connection with a research project. The maximum participation for Research Scholars is five years. Upon approval of the Institute’s Exchange Visitor Program, Research Scholars may engage in occasional lectures, seminars, or consultations if related to the objective of the exchange visitor’s program participation.
  • Short-Term Scholar: A professor, research scholar or person with similar education or accomplishments coming to the U.S. on a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training or demonstrating special skills. The maximum participation for Short-Term Scholars is six months. No extensions can be granted.
  • Specialist: An expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill who will demonstrate such skills in the U.S. The maximum participation for Specialists is one year.

**Please note that there may be consequences associated with the J visa category that is assigned to you based on U.S. government regulations of the Exchange Visitor Program, such as the two-year bar on repeat participation for J Research Scholars. In addition, exchange visitors who have funding from their home government or the U.S. government or whose skills appear on the skill list of their home government may be subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement external link.**