A Short-Term Scholar is defined as a professor or research scholar, who is coming to the United States for an academic visit of six months or less. The Short-Term Scholar category is similar to the J-1 Research Scholar or Professor category as listed above, with the some exceptions. The J-1 Short-Term Scholar program may not be extended beyond six months.

Except for those coming to the Harvard affiliated hospitals, University academic appointments are not required for visitors who have a stay of less than 3 months. All scholars at Harvard affiliated hospitals for whom the HIO provides visa sponsorship must have Harvard Medical School (HMS) appointments regardless of length of stay.