English Proficiency Requirement for J-1 Scholars
Guidelines for Demonstrating English Language Competency
Why the Need for Proof of English Proficiency?
English language proficiency is a critical factor in an Exchange Visitor's (EV) ability to succeed in a lab or classroom, and on a day-to-day basis in the United States. This includes everything from negotiating rent to describing an illness to a physician. Language proficiency is essential to the health, safety, and welfare of an EV, as well as a critical tool for an EV to fully understand their rights, responsibilities, and protections during their stay in the U.S.
The U.S. Department of State, the government agency that has oversight of the Exchange Visitor Program, requires an Exchange Visitor to have sufficient proficiency in the English language. English proficiency must be determined by an objective measure to ensure EV's can successfully participate in their program, as well as on a day-to-day basis in the United States.
This requirement cannot be waived (not even for transfers), as English proficiency is not just a tool to set someone up for success, but a compliance issue for the University, and necessary to meet the regulations of a J-1 visa. If an academic host department or prospective EV are unwilling to comply with the English proficiency requirement, they should consider another visa type.
English proficiency must be demonstrated by an objective and measured assessment in one of the following ways:
- English language proficiency test:
- The following tests are acceptable to fulfill the English proficiency requirement
and all test dates must be within two years of receipt of the DS-2019 application
to be valid:
- TOEFL: a score of 80 or higher on the iBT (internet based test) or 550 or higher on the PBT (paper-based exam).
- IELTS: an overall minimum band score of 6.5 or higher.
- CEFR: Level of C1 or higher
- Duolingo: A score of 105 or higher.
- The following tests are acceptable to fulfill the English proficiency requirement
and all test dates must be within two years of receipt of the DS-2019 application
to be valid:
- English Language Proficiency Interviewconducted by a 3rd party trained in language assessment:
- English3 J-1 Interview: The "J-1 Interview" is a recorded interview completed through English3's website.
The interview generally takes about 25 minutes and can be evaluated in as little as
48 hours. A score of 3.0 or higher is required to demonstrate language proficiency. You can go to English3's website for direct access to the interview. Please select the following:
- English Test- E3J1 (English3 J-1 Interview) for J-1 Exchange Visitors
- English3 J-1 Interview: The "J-1 Interview" is a recorded interview completed through English3's website.
The interview generally takes about 25 minutes and can be evaluated in as little as
48 hours. A score of 3.0 or higher is required to demonstrate language proficiency. You can go to English3's website for direct access to the interview. Please select the following:
- Proof that an EV has satisfied any of the following:
- An Associate, Bachelor's, Master's or Doctoral Degree (completed within two years of the submit date of the DS-2019 application) from a regionally-accredited U.S. college or university.
- A Bachelor's degree or higher (completed within two years of the submit date of the
DS-2019 application) from an officially-recognized college or university in one of
the following countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Liberia
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- The Bahamas
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
- United States of America
- Zambia
- Native Speakers of English who are citizens of the following countries are not required to submit proof of English
language proficiency. Citizens of a country not listed below will still need to prove
English Proficiency through one of our approved means, even if the medium of academic
instruction is English.
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada
- Dominica
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Gambia
- Ghana
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- Liberia
- Mauritius
- Namibia
- New Zealand
- Nigeria
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Sierra Leone
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Africa
- The Bahamas
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland)
- United States of America
- Zambia