Explained: What is the J-1 visa and why is Harvard's use of it under scrutiny?

Time of India

6 days ago

Trump opens new investigation into Harvard's use of international visa programs.
The J-1 visa, once a symbol of educational exchange and soft diplomacy — is now at the center of a growing political battle between the US government and one of its most prestigious universities.
As the State Department launches an investigation into Harvard's compliance with the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, international students and academics around the world are watching closely.
Here's what the J-1 visa is, how it works, and why it's being politicised now.
What is the J-1 visa and who uses it?
The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to foreign nationals participating in approved cultural and educational exchange programs.
It was created in 1961 under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act.
The program aims to promote mutual understanding between the US and other countries through academic, research, and cultural experiences. It is used by:
Visiting scholars and postdoctoral researchers
University students on short-term exchanges
Professors and lecturers
Medical trainees
Teachers, interns, au pairs, and summer workers
In 2024 alone, over 300,000 exchange visitors entered the US on J-1 visas.
Why does Harvard use the J-1 visa program?
Harvard, like many top US universities, relies heavily on the J-1 visa to host international scholars, researchers, and visiting faculty. These individuals often come to the university for:
Academic fellowships
Joint research projects
Global think tank collaborations
Guest lectures or temporary teaching positions
Many graduate students, especially in the sciences and humanities, also participate in short-term academic exchanges using the J-1 visa.
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For Harvard, the visa program is crucial to maintaining its global academic networks and upholding its identity as an international research powerhouse.
Why is the US government investigating Harvard?
On Wednesday, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department had launched a formal investigation into Harvard's sponsorship of J-1 visa holders. The department will assess whether Harvard has complied with regulations governing the Exchange Visitor Program and whether its actions undermine US foreign policy objectives or compromise national security.
In May, the Trump administration abruptly terminated the university's certification under the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a move that was quickly overturned by a federal judge. This was followed by a presidential proclamation aimed specifically at Harvard, seeking to restrict the entry of foreign students associated with the university. Around the same time, the administration froze more than $2 billion in federal research grants to Harvard, further escalating tensions.
These measures were set against the backdrop of Harvard's refusal to comply with the demands of a federal task force, which had proposed government oversight of its admissions and hiring practices. The university has strongly pushed back, calling the investigation politically motivated and a violation of its First Amendment rights.
How does this affect international students?
While the immediate investigation is limited to Harvard, the implications are broader.
If the university's sponsorship privileges are suspended or restricted, thousands of students and scholars could lose their visa status, face travel disruptions, or be barred from entering the US.
It also creates uncertainty for future applicants considering the US as a destination for education, research, or career growth. For now, Harvard is continuing to support its international community and helping students prepare for the fall semester.
The bigger picture: Education, politics, and global talent
This isn't just a visa issue, it's a reflection of a larger battle over academic freedom, immigration, and national identity. With the Trump administration taking a harder stance on elite universities, particularly those perceived as politically or culturally oppositional, visa programs have become part of the leverage.
International education advocates worry that this could lead to a chilling effect on US higher education, driving top global talent to countries like Canada, Australia, or Germany.
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