J-1 Visa Waiver Requests

NSF will only consider requests to serve as an IGA on behalf of J-1 visa holders who are supported by NSF funding, either directly as a principal investigator (PI) or co-PI on an award or indirectly as a postdoctoral fellow or graduate student supported by an NSF award. The J-1 visa holder's contribution to the NSF award must be scientifically significant, clearly attributable and integral to the project's success.

NSF has a new two-part process for evaluating IGA requests: eligibility screening and full package review. 

To initiate eligibility screening, submit the following information to the NSF J-1 visa waiver team:

• NSF J-1 visa waiver inquiry form.
• J-1 visa holder's current curriculum vitae. 
• A sponsor letter introducing the J-1 visa holder. Include country of citizenship, current position and a brief description of the visa holder's current research and how it relates to NSF. Include NSF award number(s). 

It is important to emphasize how the visa holder's research is in NSF's and the nation's vital interests and why the absence to satisfy the J-1 residency requirement would be detrimental to those interests.

Please do not submit other documentation, including additional letters of support, in phase one.

Based on the submitted materials, NSF will determine whether to invite the petitioner to enter phase two of the agency's IGA review process. If NSF invites a full application, the sponsor will receive guidance on required documentation, including additional letters of support.

The full application will be reviewed in a manner consistent with NSF review standards. If the review is favorable, NSF will issue an IGA letter to the U.S. Department of State recommending that a waiver be granted. 

If the decision is negative, the sponsor will be notified. Please be advised that NSF will accept only one request per individual and that there will be no reconsideration should the NSF decide not to support the IGA request.