RPI hosts a range of international visitors who come for academic, research, or exchange purposes. Most hold a J-1 visa, though some visit under short-term visas such as B-1, B-2, or the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). While the term “scholars” is often used broadly on campus, these visitors fall into distinct categories:

• J-1 Scholars: Visiting researchers, professors, or short-term academic staff who come to RPI to teach, conduct research, or collaborate on academic projects. They are not enrolled in coursework or pursuing a degree.
• J-1 Degree-Seeking Students: Visiting students who enroll full-time in an RPI degree program (bachelor’s, master’s, or PhD) with the intent to earn a U.S. academic degree.
• J-1 Exchange Students: Visiting students who study at RPI temporarily—usually for one or two semesters—through an exchange agreement with their home institution. They take courses for credit but are not earning an RPI degree.
• B-1, B-2 or VWP Scholars: Visiting scholars who come to the U.S. for short-term academic activities under a B-1/B-2 visa or the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). They may give lectures, attend conferences, or collaborate on research, but they are not employed in the U.S.