Cynthia Byars is the PSS Department Manager who can assist in coordinating the international visitor and visa process.  She is your first point of contact if you are interested in hosting or employing an international student or scholar. She works closely with Emily Hill, PSS Human Resources Manager, as well as, Dr. Carol Hanley, who is the M-G CAFE Director for International Programs and i-CAT coordinator for M-G CAFE academic units.  Dr. Hanley provides assistance with international visitors and may advise on matters related to their recruitment, visa processing, on-boarding, and other aspects of their visit to UK. 

At a minimum, the start date of a visiting scholar should be 60 days AFTER the university approves the visit; however, it can take several months to process a visa application and consideration should be given for preparation time, delays, and extenuating circumstances.

Qualifying health coverage is required as well as minimum financial record demonstration depending on the scholar/family involved. The health coverage and financial record demonstration needs to be included in the invitation/offer letter.

• Templates for Hosing Faculty:
• J-1 Exchange Visitor Invitation/Offer Letter  
• International Postdoc Offer Letter
• Required Health Coverage – This is very important; qualifying health coverage is required for all international student scholars on a F-1, J-1, or J-2 visa.  More information on requirements and Student Health Plans may be found here.  If a scholar is employed, working at least 30 hours per week, they may enroll in a UK Employee Health Plan (UK HMO rates for July 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026 may be found here).

The following is a resource around J-1 and H-1B fees, steps involved, overall process, guidance, and policies. It also provides information on sponsoring green cards and other visa types: https://international.uky.edu/isss/hiring-and-hosting

This category is intended for individuals who come primarily to conduct research, teach or lecture (i.e. postdoctoral scholars/fellows, visiting scholars and other non-permanent positions, etc.). Under most circumstances, the category allows for a maximum stay of five years, upon extension approval. 

There is a 24-month ban on repeat participation. This means that when the program is completed, the scholar cannot return to the U.S. as a J-1 Research Scholar or Professor for a period of two years. Scholars may return in another visa status or another J-1 category, such as the Short-Term Scholar, if the department wishes to continue sponsorship. 

More details can be found at the UK International Center.

This is intended for individuals who will remain at UK for a maximum duration of six months to conduct research, teach or observe. Extensions cannot be granted beyond the six-month period of stay. The Short-Term Scholar is not subject to the 24-month bar on repeat participation.

For more details on Short-Term Scholar classification, refer to the UK International Center.

Student intern program participants come to the United States to pursue a structured and guided work-based internship program in their specific academic field. Prior work experience is not required. Contact Cynthia Byars for more information. 

The instructions for this category are very unique and unlike the other J-1 status categories. This category is an option for international undergraduate students.

More details can be found at the UK International Center.

International students who are enrolled in a graduate program at another institution and plan to attend the University of Kentucky as a Visiting Student can request a J-1 visa through the Student Intern or Student Non-Degree categories.

All graduate students are required to fill out UK's Graduate School Application using the visiting student portal of the application. (The application fee is waived.) The DS-2019 will not be processed until the application is completed.

More details can be found at the UK International Center.