J-1 Exchange Students

J-1 exchange students visit University of Idaho as full-time students for a period of usually one or two semesters pursuant to a formal reciprocal exchange agreement between University of Idaho and their home institution or with an exchange organization of which University of Idaho is a member (such as the International Student Exchange Program, ISEP). J-1 exchange students must engage in a full-time course of study unless specifically granted permission to drop below full-time by International Services. Exchange students must also maintain adequate health insurance coverage that meets the U.S. Dept. of State requirements.

Exchange students must demonstrate the availability of adequate funding to cover the cost of living in Moscow, Idaho.

This information is not intended for students from universities with which University of Idaho does not have an exchange agreement or students who wish to complete a degree at University of Idaho. Those students should go to Admissions, which provides information to international students who wish to pursue a degree at University of Idaho.

J-1 student status might be possible if one of the following conditions is met:

• You or your program is financed directly or indirectly by the U.S. government, your home government or an international organization of which the U.S. is a member;
• The exchange program is based on an agreement between the U.S. and another government;
• The exchange program is based on a written agreement between: a) University of Idaho and a foreign educational institution, b) University of Idaho and a foreign government, or c) a U.S. state or local government and a foreign government; or
• You are supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds.

After being admitted to the university, students are asked to provide a Form DS-2019 at their visa interview. International Services will only issue Form DS-2019 for J-1 status once it confirms the following:

• The student has proficiency in the English language;
• The student demonstrates that he or she has funding to cover the cost of attending University of Idaho; and
• The application and all required supporting documents are received and original.

Citizens of countries with an official language of English are not required to demonstrate English language proficiency. Proficiency in the English language is most often demonstrated through standardized testing.

Once an international student receives Form DS-2019 they may apply for an F-1 visa stamp. If residing in the U.S. in an eligible nonimmigrant status, a student may also change status in the U.S.

All J-1 students must pursue a full-time course of study unless otherwise specifically authorized by International Services and sponsoring agency. International Services must be informed of and approve of any drop below full-time. Full-time status for undergraduates is 12 credit hours per semester. Full-time status for graduate students is 9 credit hours per semester.

Once you have determined you are eligible to study on exchange at University of Idaho, you must fill out the forms below that pertain to your school, length of exchange and level of studies. Exchange students must demonstrate the availability of adequate funding to cover the cost of living in Moscow, Idaho. Submit the completed application, along with the accompanying documents, to your home university’s International Programs or Exchange Office (ISEP students must apply through their home school ISEP coordinator). If your application is accepted by them, they will forward it to University of Idaho. If your application is accepted by our office and University of Idaho Admissions Office, we will send you an acceptance letter and the immigration documents necessary to apply for your student visa, as well as the appropriate registration, housing and arrival information.

Please complete all forms and print them to sign and turn into your International Programs Office. (These PDFs contain fillable forms, please type all of the information you can.)

Application Forms for students who meet our English Language Requirements

• Exchange Student Application Checklist (pdf)
• Non Degree-Seeking Application (pdf)
• Certificate of Financial Responsibility (pdf) *An updated version of Adobe Reader is required for the form to function properly.

Exchange students who do not meet University of Idaho English Language Requirements can still study on exchange at University of Idaho by attending our American Language and Culture Program.

Application Forms for Exchange Students who will take the American Language and Culture Program (ALCP):

• ALCP Exchange Checklist (pdf)
• ALCP Exchange Student Verification Form (pdf)
• Complete Online ALCP Application (please see ALCP Exchange Checklist above for instructions)
• ALCP Certificate of Financial Responsibility (pdf)

The following list includes those international universities with which University of Idaho has a reciprocal bilateral exchange agreement in place, allowing for the "exchange" of students for a semester or year, and at times, a summer. If your home university appears on this list, you should contact the staff at the International Programs/Exchange Office at your home university in order to inquire about the policies and procedures required for nomination and to ask about exchange space availability.

Bhutan: Royal Thimphu College
Denmark: University of Southern Denmark
England: Lancaster University
Finland: Tampere University
Japan: Nagasaki University of Foreign Studies
Japan: Ryukoku University
Spain: Universidad Publica de Navarra

In some cases, students can also study at University of Idaho on exchange through the Universities Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) if their home university is a member.

If you have further questions about exchange, please send an email to abroad@uidaho.edu.