Non-degree seeking international students that are studying at St. Olaf College as part of an exchange program for either fall semester or an academic year, are required to obtain a J-1 visa. Upon admission/acceptance by St. Olaf College, the Assistant Director of International Programs in the Taylor Center for Equity and Inclusion will provide all necessary documentation and share next steps on how to obtain a J-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate of your choice.
As a J-1 visa holder, exchange students are required to:
- Enroll in St. Olaf College’s international health insurance plan. St. Olaf will automatically enroll you in the insurance plan, no additional paperwork is required. Charges will be applied to your student account.
- Complete the International Student Certification of Finances form to prove adequate financial support during time of study.
- Demonstrate competence in English. Information about the English Proficiency Requirement can be found here: https://wp.stolaf.edu/admissions/home/international-applicants/
- Know that you may be subject to the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (“2 Year Rule”, 212e). This rule may apply to anyone who enters the U.S. on a J visa, and requires visitors who are subject to return to their “home” countries and be physically present there for a total of two years before being eligible to return to the United States in immigrant (permanent residence/green card) status, H status (temporary workers and dependents), or L status (intra-company transferees and dependents). Change of status within the U.S. is not possible while subject to the 2 Year Rule. Not all exchange visitors are subject to the 2 Year Rule. There are 3 grounds on which an exchange visitor can become subject:
- If the exchange visitor is financed by the U.S. government or a foreign government for the purpose of coming to the U.S. on the J-1.
- If the skill(s) that the visitor is coming to develop or work with are in a field that the visitor’s government requested to be included on the State Department’s skills list.
- The visitor is coming to the United States to receive “graduate medical education or training. “Only medical doctors are subject in this case.
Please note: Academic training is not offered to J-1 students at St. Olaf College.