Short-Term Scholar:

This category may be appropriate if a UAB faculty member has invited you to the US for a short-term visit for the purpose of lecturing, observing, consulting, training, or demonstrating your special skills. As a Short-Term Scholar, you can remain in the US from a minimum of one day to a maximum of six months.

Professor/Research Scholar:

The category may be appropriate if a UAB faculty member has invited you to the US for teaching, lecturing, observing, or consulting. You can also conduct research even if you have a “Professor” category J-1 visa. UAB will sponsor you in this J-1 category only if you will have primary responsibility for teaching at least one course published in the UAB catalog.

UAB sponsors scores of Research Scholar J-1 visas every year for individuals whose primary purpose in the US will be conducting research, observing, or consulting in connection with a specific research project. You can also teach a UAB course or be a guest lecturer even if you have a “Research Scholar” category J-1 visa.

As a Professor or Research Scholar, you can remain in the US for a minimum of three weeks up to a maximum of five years to engage in research and/or teaching. The appointment must be non-permanent/non-tenure track, have specific research or teaching objective, and be limited in time.

Student Intern:

This J-1 category is available only to students currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a post-secondary academic institution outside the United States. Your UAB internship can last up to 12 months and must fulfill the educational objectives for your current degree program at your home institution.

Sponsoring UAB departments are expected to provide on-site supervision and mentoring and structured or guided activities, such as rotations, seminars, conference participation, and/or on-the-job training as appropriate. You should work with your UAB sponsoring faculty member to design an internship opportunity that will provide practical experience and that meets the following conditions: 

• You MUST be currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside the United States.
• The UAB internship must fulfill the educational objectives for your current degree program at your home institution. This means that a practical internship experience should be required for you to graduate from your home institution.
• You must have sufficient English language skills to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment.
• You must enter the US primarily to engage in your student internship program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer.
• You must be in “good academic standing" at your home institution outside the US (this means you cannot be under probation or suspension).
• You must return to your academic program outside the US to finish your degree and graduate after completing your UAB internship.
• You must have sufficient finances to support yourself and any dependents (i.e., spouse and/or children who come with you to the US) for their entire stay in the US, including housing and living expenses. UAB requires proof of $2,000 per month for you, plus $417 per month per dependent.

Postdoctoral fellow in the US is defined as an individual holding a doctoral degree who is engaged in a temporary period of mentored research and/or scholarly training for the purpose of acquiring the professional skills needed to pursue a career path of his or her choosing. You can find more information on the National Postdoctoral Association website. Make sure to discuss your objectives and future duties during your interview with your potential supervisor at UAB.

International observers/ shadowers, graduate students, teachers, speakers, and scholars who come to UAB in non-credit or degree earning status are considered International Visiting Scholars. UAB International employees or postdocs are not included in this category. These international visitors can be funded by themselves, UAB, their home government, or any combination thereof.

Requests for individuals to be appointed in International Visiting Scholar job categories must be reviewed first by International Education and ISSS pursuant to UAB's international visitor process.

Contact International Education at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to initiate the IVS process.