After Arrival in the U.S.

As a J-1 Scholar or student intern it is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status and understand the rules and regulations that govern your status in the U.S.

While you are in J-1 status, you must

• Complete the required online check-in and orientation
• Maintain required documents
  • Valid passport
  • Valid Form DS-2019
  • Form I-94 marked D/S

• Engage only in activities permitted under the program and category on Form DS-2019;
  • In-person Requirement
  • Change in terms of J program

• Be employed only with authorization
  • Incidental Employment
• Maintain the required medical insurance.
• Report address changes
• Report Incidents to ISSS

These are not inclusive or exclusive of all regulations. Contact ISSS with questions.

An HR Business Partner can request an extension of the DS-2019 to continue the J program within the following maximum periods of stay:

J-1 Category	Maximum stay
Research Scholar	5 years
Professor	5 years
Short-term Scholar	6 months (no extensions)
Specialist	1 year
Student Intern	1 year

J-1 or J-2 Visa

Extending the DS-2019 extends the period of stay in the U.S. It does not provide a J-1 or J-2 entry visa. If the visa is expired, the J-1 or J-2 exchange visitor must apply for a new visa the next time they choose to travel outside the U.S. with the exception trips that qualify for automatic revalidation.

J-1 Waiver and Extensions

If the exchange visitor was subject to Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement and was recommended for a waiver by the Department of State and granted a waiver by the Department of Homeland Security, they are not eligible to extend J status, transfer to another program, or obtain a new J visa without the possibility of becoming subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement again.

A J-1 scholar can transfer their J-1 DS-2019 to another school or university that is a sponsor of the J-1 Program. ISSS must release the SEVIS record to the new sponsor before the end date on Form DS-2019 and following completion of the program activity at the university.

The J-1 exchange visitor must be within the period of maximum stay. Transferring to another program does create a new period of stay.

J-1 Category	Maximum stay
Research Scholar	5 years
Professor	5 years
Short-term Scholar	6 months (no extensions
Specialist	1 year
Student Intern	1 year

For more information about a possible transfer, the J-1 scholar should make J-1 Scholar appointment with ISSS to discuss the option.

It is important that the release date of the J record in SEVIS is coordinated between ISSS, the host unit, and the prospective J sponsor.

J-1 Transfer Out Request

A J Exchange visitor has a 30-day grace period following the end date on the DS-2019 or the completion of the J program to

• Depart the U.S.
• Apply for another immigration status for which they may be eligible.

During the 30-day grace period, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors are not in J visa status. They may not continue and/or complete exchange activities, nor may they be employed. The USCIS grants the grace period to allow exchange visitors to travel, settle their affairs, and prepare to return to their home countries. Although exchange visitors may travel in the United States, they should not travel beyond the borders of the United States, as they may not be permitted reentry in J-1 or J-2 status.

A J-1 Exchange Visitor who wants to transfer out to another J program must transfer before the end date on Form DS-2019.