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J-1 Status
Students classified in J1 status
are governed by regulations of the U.S. Department of State and by general
immigration regulations affecting nonimmigrants. For purposes of immigration
law, your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the period of your
approved stay in the US. Check your passport expiration date and get an
extension if you need one. ISSS has a directory of foreign embassies and consulates
in the US if you need to locate your embassy/consulate to renew your
passport.
Visa
The J1 visa stamp in your passport, along with your DS-2019 (formerly
known as the IAP-66), gives you permission to apply for entry into the
US. The visa itself has nothing to do with how long you can stay in the
US. Do not confuse the validity of your visa stamp as being an indication
of your approved period of stay here. The visa must be valid at the time
of any entry to the US; it does not have to be valid for you to remain
in the US.
Note:
Canadians do not need passports or visa stamps to enter the US, but they
do have to show the Form DS-2019 at the port of entry to obtain status
as a J-1 student.
Permission to Stay in the
US
Permission to stay in the US is indicated on your I-94 departure card,
the small white card which is usually stapled inside your passport. It
indicates the date and port of entry to the US, your immigration classification
(F1, J1), and the date until which you are allowed to remain in the US.
This date is important! If you wish to remain in the US beyond
this date, you must apply for an extension of stay.
For most students, this date
will be "D/S" (Duration of Status). If you need to extend your time here
beyond the date typed on your DS-2019, you are required to notify the
Department of State. Your sponsor will issue you a new DS-2019 for this
purpose. Please consult our office if you need to stay beyond the date
on your current DS-2019.
Your DS2019 (formerly known
as the IAP66)
You should keep the stamped copy of your DS-2019 that will be returned
to you at the port of entry into the US. This is a permanent record of
your J1 nonimmigrant status, and you will need it for re-entering the
US after a brief visit outside.
Maintaining Your Student
Status
Your eligibility for opportunities for employment, school transfers, and
program changes depends on your maintaining lawful status. When you enter
the US, an immigration inspector asks you to read and sign a statement
on your Form DS-2019. Your signature signifies your agreement to abide
by the conditions of J1 status while in the US.
To maintain your status, you
must:
- remain enrolled full-time at the institution you are authorized to
attend (12 credit hours for undergraduates, 5 credit hours for graduate
students)
- hold a valid, current DS-2019
- maintain a passport that is valid for at least 6 months into the
future
- have appropriate authorization for any work and not be employed for
more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session
Note
J-1 students should also note the following conditions of J-1 status:
The following pages
have more information on other J-1 procedures:
The employment opportunities
available to J-1 students are:
J-2 Dependents
Your J-2 dependents may apply to the USCIS for authorization to work.
They may not legally work to support you, the J-1 student, or to pay any
of the expenses of your program of study. Stop by ISSS to pick up the
forms if your J-2 dependents are interested in applying for work permission.
The Exchange Visitor Program
at U.S. Department of State is available for your concerns and feedback
regarding the J exchange visitor program. They may be reached by email
or mail at:
email:
JVISAS@STATE.GOV
or
mailing
address:
Office of Exchange
Coordination & Designation
Exchange Visitor Program, Department of State
ECA/EC/AG-SA-44, Room 732
301 4th St., SW
Washington, D.C.20547 |
