Exchange Visitors in J-1 Status Enrolling in Classes

ISSS requires all Exchange Visitor scholars on J-1 visas to report their enrollment in classes. According to the U.S. Department of State (DOS), any class enrollment during an Exchange Visitor Program must be incidental to the objectives of the program in which the visitor is participating such as research, teaching, consulting, or observing.

Class Enrollment Limitations:

  • Exchange Visitors can only enroll in a maximum of 3 credit hours per semester at Ƶ Boulder.
  • If an Exchange Visitor wishes to enroll in classes at another institution, they must consult with ISSS before enrolling.

Full-Time Study Restrictions:

  • The DOS mandates that an Exchange Visitor cannot simultaneously be a full-time student in the US and an Exchange Visitor scholar.
  • Ƶ Boulder defines full-time graduate study as 5 credit hours per semester.

·Enrollment at Other Institutions:

  • The definition of “full-time” varies among institutions. ISSS will determine the acceptable number of credits if you wish to take classes elsewhere.

Prior to enrolling in classes, either at Ƶ Boulder or any other institution, all Exchange Visitor scholars must complete the Confirmation of J-1 Exchange Visitor Class Enrollment e-form available in the MyISSS portal under “J-1 Scholar Services”