J-1 Visa Information for Students

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was developed by the United States government in conjunction with governments of countries around the world to serve as a forum for educational and cultural exchange.  The program provides opportunities for thousands of students, scholars, and others to spend time in foreign countries learning skills and sharing their knowledge and culture. 

In the United States, the Exchange Visitor program is presently monitored by the Department of State.  Organizations, such as the University of California, Davis, have applied to the Department of State to be designated as sponsoring institutions for the J-1 Exchange Visitor program.  Foreign nationals who participate in this program in the United States receive J-1 status, which classifies them as members of this exchange program. The official program description of the UCD Exchange Visitor Program is:

A  program to provide study, teaching, research, observation, consultation, sharing of skills, cross-cultural activities, or a combination thereof conducted by UCD and institutes and organizations with which it is affiliated for students, professors, researchers, short-term scholars, and specialists.

It is extremely important to comply with immigration regulations in order to maintain lawful status. Immigration law has instituted severe penalties for "overstays" and "unlawful presence" in the United States.  It is the student's own responsibility to maintain lawful status.

1. MAINTAIN REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

J scholars are required to have the following documents:

• Valid DS-2019
• Valid passport.  It is each individual's responsibility to extend it through his/her embassy before it expires.
• I-94 marked D/S

2. DURATION OF STATUS

J-1 students and dependents are admitted to the United States for duration of status (D/S).  Duration of status means:

• the period of time during which the student pursues a full-time course of study;
• plus any authorized period of academic training;
• plus 30 days after completion of program or academic training in which to apply for a change of status or leave the U.S.

• J-1 students must have an unexpired DS-2019 at all times, and are also required to have adequate health insurance in effect for themselves and their accompanying family members throughout their stay.

3. ENGAGE IN APPROPRIATE ACTIVITIES

J-1 students are required to register for and complete a full course of study each quarter except during vacation. Underenrollment may be permitted due to medical reasons or legitimate academic reasons. Students who plan to underenroll must obtain written approval from the International Student Advisor before the beginning of the term.

4. EMPLOYED ONLY WITH AUTHORIZATION

J-1 students maintaining a full-time courseload and who are in good academic standing are permitted with written approval of the sponsor (the issuer of the DS-2019) to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time during vacations.

Off-campus employment is permitted with written approval of the sponsor in cases of serious, urgent and unforeseen economic circumstances, which have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status.

J-2 dependents may apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to accept employment if such employment is needed incidental expenses only.  More...

Academic Training

Compensated academic training for up to 18 months (but no longer than the student's period of study) can be undertaken during or after the J-1 student's academic studies are completed, with written approval from the International Student Advisor. The training must be related to the student's field of study and the student must be in good academic standing.

Post-doctoral students may participate in an additional 18 months academic training (for a total of 36 months) for post-doctoral research.

5. CARRY HEALTH INSURANCE

Every J-1 and J-2 exchange visitor must have health insurance that meets the minimum requirements.

6. RESPONSIBILITY FOR DEPENDENTS

The J-1 scholar is also responsible to ensure that J-2 dependents maintain their lawful status while in the United States.

7. CHANGE OF ADDRESS NOTIFICATION

U.S. government regulations require that students notify SISS of any change of address within 10 days.  This should be done through SISWEB.   In addition, students subject to Special Registration have the responsibility to directly file the AR-11SR form with immigration authorities within 10 days.

Transfer of Program

• J-1 students who wish to transfer to another J-1 sponsor must obtain a written release from the current sponsor.
• To transfer, you must:
  • request a new DS-2019 from the new sponsor,
  • obtain a release signature on the new DS-2019 from the current sponsor, and
  • present the new DS-2019 with the release signature to the new sponsor.
• All of these steps should be completed before the expiration date on the current DS-2019 and before starting employment with the new sponsor.

Extension of Program

J-1 students with D/S (duration of status) notation on the I-94 may apply to their sponsor for program extension prior to the expiration date on the DS-2019.  More...

Two-year Home Country Residence Requirement

At the conclusion of the J-1 program, individuals who are subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement must return to their country of permanent residence for at least two years before re-entering the U.S. or applying for change of status to that of an immigrant or temporary worker.  More...

Travel

Necessary documents for J-1 and J-2 travel outside the U.S. and reentry to this country include a valid passport, valid J-1 or J-2 visa stamp, and an unexpired Form DS-2019 with updated sponsor's signature. For travel to Canada or Mexico, J-1 students from most countries must have an original, valid Form I-94 but may not need to extend an expired U.S. visa.