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Information for the J-1 Exchange Visitor

Those who enter the United States with the J-1 or J-2 visa are called Exchange Visitors. The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa may be used by those coming to the United States to study, teach, conduct research, or receive training. The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is to provide foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in educational and cultural programs in the United States and return home to share their experiences, and to encourage Americans to participate in educational and cultural programs in other countries. It does not require a one-to-one reciprocal exchange.

The J-1 visa is obtained by presenting a Form DS-2019 to a U.S. embassy or consulate.  The DS-2019 is issued by the Exchange Visitor sponsor, which may be a university, government agency, or other organizations.

Accompanying family members
The J-2 visa is for the spouse and minor children (under age 21) of an Exchange Visitor and is issued on the basis of a Form DS-2019 provided by the Exchange Visitor’s sponsor, and evidence of adequate funding for the support of the dependents. Family members entering the United States must carry a separate Form DS-2019 document along with their passports containing J-2 visa stamps. Please request an additional Form DS-2019 from the organization that issued the Form DS-2019 for the Exchange Visitor. A J-2 visa holder may apply to the USCIS for work permission after arriving in the United States. Processing the application could take up to four months. Those who wish to apply for work permission should inquire at the OIES after arriving at Jefferson.

Mandatory health insurance requirement for all J-1 and J-2 visa holders
All Exchange Visitors and their dependents must have health insurance in effect which covers them for sickness or accidents during the period of time when they are in J status. If a J-1 or J-2 visa holder fails to maintain health insurance coverage, his/her visa may be terminated.

I-94 Card
Duration of Status (D/S)
Extension
Visa
Travel
Health Insurance
Employment
Transfer of Program
End of Program
IMPORTANT!

I-94 Card

Your I-94 card is the small white card (or the long card that looks somewhat like a plane ticket) that you received upon arrival in the United States. This card documents the date you entered the United States, in which status you entered (J-1), and how long you may stay. In most cases, J-1 Exchange Visitors' I-94 cards are stamped "D/S" or "duration of status"; in other words, as long as you maintain your non-immigrant status by having a valid Form DS-2019 (known as Form IAP-66 until September 1, 2002), you may stay in the United States.

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Duration of Status (D/S)

Duration of Status or D/S is the length of time for which individuals in J status are admitted to the United States. D/S allows you to stay in the United States as long as you are participating in the program described on your DS-2019 and otherwise complying with all immigration regulations. D/S is not, however, an indefinite period of time. D/S is based on the completion date on your DS-2019 plus a 30-day grace period. It is possible to extend D/S by applying for a program extension at least 45 days before the expiration date on your current DS-2019.

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Extension

In order to extend your J-1 status, you must obtain a DS-2019 form marked "to extend an ongoing program." To receive an extension DS-2019, you must complete a DS-2019 extension request form and submit it to the Office of International Exchange Services (OIES) along with a letter from your supervisor inviting you to extend your program. An exchange visitor who does not receive a paycheck from Jefferson also must submit the DS-2019 extension request form with original documentation proving that adequate funding is available to continue the program. You should complete your DS-2019 request for extension about two months before the expiration of your current DS-2019.

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Visa

The visa stamped in your passport allowed you to enter the United States. As long as you have a valid DS-2019, you may stay in the United States. Therefore, you only need to renew your visa if you are going to travel outside of the United States and return to the U. S. after the expiration date on the visa in your passport.  J-1 Exchange Visitor visas must be obtained at a U. S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U. S. Your visa does not indicate how long you may remain in the United States in J-status.

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Travel

Whenever you travel outside of the United States during your J-1 program, about one week before you leave you must visit the OIES with your passport and your DS-2019 so we can prepare your documents for travel and give you any necessary information regarding your return to the United States. Keep your passport valid. You can renew your passport at your country's nearest embassy or consulate in the United States. A listing of embassies and consulates in the United States can be found on the internet at: http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/

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Health Insurance

All J-1 Exchange Visitors and any family members accompanying in J-2 status must be covered by adequate health insurance. This health insurance must provide for medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. Willful failure to comply with this requirement will result in the termination of your J-1 program. Brochures for appropriate health insurance policies are available at OIES. U.S. law mandates certain minimum coverage.

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Employment

The only activity you are permitted is the one indicated on your DS-2019. If you are interested in accepting any other kind of work during your stay, please visit OIES for advisement. Do not accept any unauthorized employment.

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Transfer of Program

Your DS-2019 is valid only as long as you are participating in a program through Thomas Jefferson University, pursuing the original purpose for which you entered the United States in J-1 status. Therefore, if at any time you decide that you would like to transfer to another institution or even another laboratory at Thomas Jefferson University, you must visit OIES before you make any changes.

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End of Program

Even if your DS-2019 is still valid, your J-1 status ends when you stop participating in the program described on your DS-2019. You must speak to an OIES advisor before you stop participating in your program. Please visit the OIES at least one week before you end your program to return to your home country.

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IMPORTANT!

Always keep any DS-2019 you ever receive in your lifetime, because this document helps to prove that you legally maintained your J-1 status.

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