The U.S. Department of State regulations require all J-1 participants to possess "sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in the program and to function on a day-to-day basis".
Fulfilling the English Proficiency Requirement
- All Prospective J-1 Scholar or Student-Intern applications submitted through MyISSS must include documentation of English language proficiency with a copy of the respective support materials. Prospective J-1 Scholars (Research Scholars, Professors, and Short Term Scholars) and J-1 Student Interns fulfill the English requirement through one of the approved measurement types listed below.
Approved Measurement Types
English Language Tests
To take a test, the applicant must go directly to a test’s online information and registration. Then the applicant will follow the test-specific instructions. Test results must include the applicant’s score and be dated within the last five years.
- Cambridge CAE (Minimum score B2)
- IELTS Academic - General (Minimum Score 5.5)
- MN Battery Test (Minimum Score 64)
- OPI/OPIc (Minimum Score Intermediate-Low)
- TOEFL iBT/PBT (Minimum Score 53)
- TOEIC - Listening/Reading (Minimum Score 500)
- TOEIC - Speaking (Minimum Score 130)
- Duolingo (Minimum Score 80)
- Pearson PTE - Academic (Minimum Score 42)
- PETS5 (Minimum Scores of 55/18/3 Chinese Specific)
- Pre-Departure Training Department - Advanced English Training Program Certificate (Chinese Specific) (Minimum Score Certificate)
- DAAD Exam (Minimum of B2 achieved in all categories - German Specific)
Minnesota English Language Program Interview
If the applicant needs to schedule a proficiency interview, the host department needs to contact the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP) at [email protected] or 612-624-1503 on behalf of the applicant.
Interviews are conducted via Skype or telephone. The overall proficiency rating is reported to the applicant's host department. MELP charges a $80 fee which is charged to the department. Applicants must score a minimum of Intermediate Low (IL) for the results to be acceptable.
Native English Speaker
To be eligible for this option, the applicant’s citizenship must be one of these locations:
| Anguilla | Federated States of Micronesia | Palau |
| Antigua and Barbuda | Ghana | Scotland |
| Australia | Grenada | Shetland Islands |
| Bahamas | Guyana | St. Kitts-Nevis |
| Barbados | Ireland | St. Lucia |
| Bermuda | Jamaica | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| British Virgin Islands | Kenya | Seychelles |
| Canada (except Quebec) | Montserrat | Singapore |
| Cayman Islands | New Zealand | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Dominica | Nigeria | Turks and Caicos Islands |
| England | Northern Ireland | Wales |
World Location Diploma
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s or graduate degree within the past 10 years in residence at a recognized institution of higher learning in the U.S. or a world location listed in the list below may submit a copy of their diploma to meet the English requirement.
| Anguilla | Dominica | Montserrat | St. Kitts-Nevis |
| Antigua and Barbuda | England | New Zealand | St. Lucia |
| American Samoa | Federated States of Micronesia | Nigeria | St. Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Australia | Ghana | Northern Ireland | Trinidad and Tobago |
| Bahamas | Grenada | Northern Mariana Islands | Turks and Caicos Islands |
| Barbados | Guam | Palau | United States |
| Bermuda | Guyana | Scotland | Virgin Islands |
| British Virgin Islands | Ireland | Shetland Islands | Wales |
| Canada (except Quebec) | Jamaica | Seychelles | |
| Cayman Islands | Kenya | Singapore |
UMN Partnership Diploma
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor’s or graduate degree within the past 10 years in residence at one of the universities located on the list below may submit a copy of their diploma to meet the English requirement.
University of Cape Town (South Africa), University of Fort Hare (South Africa) , Rhodes University (South Africa), University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), University of Zululand (South Africa), University of Witwatersrand (South Africa), Concordia University (Quebec), McGill University (Quebec)
Cases for Consideration
The cases listed below will be taken into consideration and reviewed in place of the options listed above. Acceptance is not guaranteed. If the materials submitted are deemed insufficient, ISSS will require the scholar to submit results from a previously listed English exam or MELP interview.
Current/Recent Presence in the U.S. and J-1 Transfers
- I’ve been present in the U.S. for the past year in J-1/ H-1B/ F-1 status. How do I fulfill the requirement?
- The applicant has been present in the U.S. for the past year in J-1/H-1B/F-1 status.
- A letter, written by the University of Minnesota faculty mentor or department head, will need to address the applicant's English proficiency. The letter should list any/all past professional or academic activities/projects completed by the applicant in English that would demonstrate the individual's proficiency in English (For example, teaching at a U.S. university in English). This letter must also include how long the applicant has already been in the U.S. as a scholar, staff member, or student. The letter will need to be uploaded for consideration, and the department will be notified if the letter cannot be accepted.
Near-Native English
- I have a near-native proficiency in English, but am not a native English speaker and I do not have a degree from an English Speaking university. Is there another way for me to fulfill the Requirement?
- The applicant has near-native proficiency in English, but is not a native English speaker and does not have a degree that could be submitted under one of the Diploma sections above.
- A letter, written by the University of Minnesota faculty mentor or department head, will need to address the applicant's English proficiency. The letter should list any/all past professional or academic activities/projects completed by the applicant in English that would demonstrate the individual's proficiency in English (For example, teaching at a U.S. university in English). The letter must be accompanied by at least two documents to support the case. The letter and supporting documents will need to be uploaded for consideration, and the department will be notified if the letter and/or documents cannot be accepted.
