University Policy
Title
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Policy on English Language Proficiency for J-1 Scholars
Introduction
Purpose
This document outlines the U.S. Department of State's requirement that J-1 Scholars demonstrate English language proficiency before the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ("University" or "UNC-Chapel Hill")'s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can issue a DS-2019 form, and lists the accepted methods of documentation that satisfy that requirement.
Scope
This policy applies to prospective J-1 Scholars seeking sponsorship through UNC-Chapel Hill's ISSS.
Policy
The U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 program sponsors to ensure that "The exchange visitor possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis." ISSS must receive documentation demonstrating a prospective J-1 Scholar's English proficiency before we can issue the requisite DS-2019 form. To comply with this requirement, scholars have the following options:
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Scores from one of the following English tests that are not more than 2 years old and meet or surpass the listed minimum test score.
Please note: these scores have been determined to be the minimum required to meet the U.S. Department of State's regulations for J-1 Exchange Visitors. ISSS encourages departments to additionally conduct their own analysis of the visitor's English language ability to determine whether the visitor possesses the proficiency level needed to successfully engage in the proposed activities.
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Evidence the visitor has completed a Bachelor's or graduate degree within the past 15 years at a recognized institution of higher learning in the U.S. or a country where the language of instruction is English.
- For U.S. degrees, a diploma or transcript indicating degree conferred
- For non-U.S. institutions, a transcript in English showing degree conferred. If transcript does not note English as the language of instruction, an official letter from the institution's registrar confirming that the visitor attended the institution and the medium of instruction was English must be submitted as well.
- Provide a letter from the Human Resources office of an accredited U.S. school, international school, or a school where the language of instruction is English confirming that the visitor has, within the last five (5) years, taught at the institution. If the school is not in the U.S. or in an English language-speaking country, the letter must specify that the language of instruction is English. The letter must be on institution letterhead and signed by someone with the authority to make the certification.
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Evidence the visitor is a citizen or lawful permanent residency holder of a country where the official language is English as documented by a passport or LPR card. See list of countries below.
- Anguilla
- Cayman Islands
- Lesotho
- St. Kitts & Nevis
- Swaziland
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Dominica
- Liberia
- St. Lucia
- Tanzania
- Australia
- Fiji
- Malawi
- St. Vincent & the Grenadines
- Tonga
- Bahamas
- Gambia
- Malta
- Seychelles
- Trinidad & Tobago
- Barbados
- Ghana
- Mauritius
- Turks & Caicos Is
- Belize
- Gibraltar
- Micronesia
- Shetland Islands
- Uganda
- Bermuda
- Grenada
- Montserrat
- Sierra Leone
- United Kingdom
- Botswana
- Guyana
- Namibia
- Singapore
- Vanuatu
- British Virgin Islands
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Solomon Islands
- Wales
- Cameroon
- Jamaica
- Nigeria
- South Africa
- Zambia
- Canada (except Quebec)
- Kenya
- Papua New Guinea
- Zimbabwe
- If the visitor currently holds J-1 status and is transferring to UNC from another institution it will be presumed that they have met the English proficiency requirement already.
Related Requirements
University Policies, Standards, and Procedures
Contact Information
Primary Contact
Name: International Student and Scholar Services
Telephone: 919-962-5661
Email: ISSS@unc.edu