William Paterson University (WPUNJ) is thrilled to welcome faculty and staff from universities worldwide! We thrive on collaborative efforts and value the unique perspectives brought by colleagues from abroad. If you're excited about such opportunities, you'll need a formal invitation through one of our academic departments. Head over to the university’s main page to explore the diverse array of academic departments, programs, and colleges. Eager to join us? You'll need to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. WPUNJ is approved for several categories, including visiting scholar, short-term scholar, and researcher. For students and interns pursuing their studies in their home countries, we’ve got you covered too! The process starts with the sponsoring department at WPUNJ. They’ll complete a request for a J-1 exchange visitor form, which requires signatures from the sponsoring faculty, department, college dean, and the Office of the Provost. To comply with the law, you must provide evidence of financial support for your entire stay. This includes all funding sources before a DS-2019 Certificate is issued. Sources of funding can include personal funds, WPU funding, your own government, the US government, or agencies like Fulbright and IREX. Generally, if you're funded through an organization like Fulbright, the DS-2019 form is issued through them, not WPUNJ. Once all approvals are in place on the DS-2019 request form, WPUNJ’s Office of the Provost will issue a DS-2019 certificate. Present this certificate at the US consulate or embassy abroad to obtain your J-1 exchange visitor visa. All completed requests must be sent to Dr. Jonathan Lincoln by the sponsoring academic department (not the prospective scholar) at least 90 days before the visit starts. Your stay duration can vary from a few days to up to 36 months (3 years), depending on the nature of your visit, the interests and needs of the sponsoring department, and all necessary approvals from university officials. Throughout your stay, the Office of the Provost is here to provide information and visa services for you and your dependents. We look forward to welcoming you to William Paterson University and fostering a vibrant academic exchange!
