CONSIDERATIONS FOR HOSTING A J-1 VISITING SCHOLAR
In addition to submitting the ISSS online DS-2019 request form and supplemental documents, a UConn hosting department should consider the following information when planning to host a J-1 Visiting Scholar:
Financial Support: The estimated minimum amount of monthly financial support required to host a single J-1 Visiting Scholar is $1,910* per month. For a married couple the amount is $2,230* per month. Each child is $850* per month. These figures represent the bare minimum and are not appropriate for short-term scholars whose cost of housing will be higher than that of a long term visiting scholar. Monthly charges for health insurance, for those who must purchase it after arrival, could range from $60 to $135 per month for a family.
*These figures are subject to review periodically and could change without notice.
Hosting a Visiting Scholar: Communicate with your visiting scholar before s/he arrives at UConn so that you, as a hosting department, develop a preliminary relationship. You need to prepare the visiting scholar with information on the following: office and laboratory space, equipment and administrative support, access to UConn resources (NetID, UConn ID card, library, etc.) and the availability of the faculty sponsor for the visiting scholar. This information will help make the visiting scholar’s stay at UConn a good experience. Also, finding/arranging a place to stay during the visit of your visiting scholar is part of the “hosting” responsibilities. Please make sure that your visiting scholar has secured the accommodation for his/her visiting program before arrival. The department should arrange for a NetID for the visiting scholar as soon as possible, preferably before their arrival. For gratis appointments, please contact UConn Payroll for further NetID assistance.
The faculty sponsor is required to provide or make available to the visiting scholar and their accompanying family members a variety of appropriate cross-cultural activities. These activities may promote exposure and interchange between visiting scholars (and their families) and Americans so as to increase their mutual understanding of each other’s society, culture and institutions (22 C.F.R. § 62.8(d)). The department is required to submit a report to ISSS on cross-cultural activities provided to the visiting scholar at the time of his/her departure, which will be, in turn, reported to the U.S. Department of State in UConn’s Exchange Visitor Program Annual Report.
Medical Insurance: Health insurance is MANDATORY. U.S. Department of State requires medical insurance for all J-1 visiting scholars and any accompanying J-2 dependent(s). The minimum required amounts are as follows: $50,000 major medical plus $10,000 coverage for medical evacuation as well as $7,500 worth of coverage for repatriation. Failure to maintain these minimum insurance requirements after arrival will result in a violation of their J status. Many visiting scholars with full-time academic appointments for at least one semester are able to join the UConn medical insurance plan. Please note, however, that the UConn medical insurance (i.e. Blue Cross/Anthem) does not meet all of the Exchange Visitor Program insurance requirements. In this case, the individual must but supplemental plans ensuring the compliance. Those who are not eligible for the UConn medical insurance plan must purchase insurance themselves, and the Bailey Agency can provide with a plan with the required coverage. For more information, please visit their website at: www.baileyagencies.com. Our contact for Bailey Agency is: Katie Kruszewski (email: katiek@baileyagencies.com; phone: 1-800-321-4449 ext. 102.
NOTE: New Insurance Requirements effective on May 15, 2015:
| Item | Current Requirements | New Rule (effective 05/15/2015) |
| Medical benefits | $50,000 | $100,000 |
| Repatriation of remains | $7,500 | $25,000 |
| Medical evacuation | $10,000 | $50,000 |
| Maximum Deductible per accident or illness | $500 | $500 |
Additionally, all J exchange visitors, including J-2 spouses and dependent(s), may be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act. For more information on the Affordable Care Act, see http://www.hhs.gov/healthcare/rights/ and https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/explained/the-aca-and-international-students.php (note that J-1 scholars and J-1 students have different exempt periods: 2 years vs. 5 years).