Overview
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 students, scholars, and their dependents 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 UC Davis 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. Students should consult an SISS International Student Advisor with any questions regarding maintaining lawful status.
Responsibilities of J-1 Students
- Maintain Required Documentation
J students are required to have the following documents:
1. Valid DS-2019 —If you receive a new DS-2019, keep the old DS-2019 in a safe place.
2. Valid passport —Passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future at all times. It is the student's responsibility to extend it through his/her embassy before it expires.
3. I-94 Most Recent Entry Record marked with visa type and D/S.
- Duration of Stay
J-1 students and dependents are admitted to the United States for duration of status (D/S). Duration of status means:
1. The period of time during which the student pursues a full-time course of study
2. Plus any authorized period of academic training
3. Plus 30 days after completion of program or academic training in which to apply for a change of status or leave the U.S. Please note that finishing your program during winter quarter without academic training or a change of status will affect your ability to attend spring commencement.
4. 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.
- Engage in Appropriate Activities
J-1 students are required to register for and complete a full course of study each term, except during summer vacation. Full-time enrollment is defined as 12 units per quarter and 10 units for Law students. Please see additional information below on what is considered a full course of study:
Limit to Online Coursework: No more than one course of the first 12 units may count toward the full course of study requirement. If the class code (CRN) has a V designation, it is 100% online. Hybrid classes (with a Y designation) that predominantly require in-person student attendance would be considered in-person courses.
Graduate Students on Filing Fee: Filing Fee is a non-registered (0 units) status available to students who have completed all degree requirements except for the final administrative/clerical (non-research) steps. Effective Fall 2026, Filing Fee does not meet the full course of study requirement. Students on Filing Fee will have a DS-2019 program end date reflecting their final term of enrollment. Students may access additional Filing Fee information in iGlobal.
Completing Program in Summer: Summer is considered a required term (not a vacation term) if the student is completing their degree requirements in summer. Students must enroll in a minimum of one unit. Enrollment cannot be fully online, and only one online course may count toward the minimum enrollment requirement. If a student does not enroll in any courses during the summer term, their DS-2019 program end date will be shortened to the last day of the spring term.
Reduced Course Load (RCL): An RCL may be permitted for qualifying medical or academic reasons. Students who plan to enroll in fewer than 12 units must obtain prior written approval from SISS before the start of the term.
For more information regarding medical RCL, view Medical Reduced Course Load for International Students. For campus resources, visit the SISS Health and Well-Being webpage.
- Annual Vacation
- J-1 students may take one quarter of vacation each year (usually during the summer), provided that they are eligible and intend to register for the next term.
- Employment Only with Authorization
- J-1 students maintaining a full course of study and who are in good academic standing are permitted with PRIOR written approval of the sponsor (the sponsor is the issuer of the DS-2019) to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week during the academic year and full-time (up to 40 hours per week) during vacations. Refer to the Student Employment page for more information.
- Mandatory Health Insurance
- Every J-1 and J-2 exchange visitor must have health insurance that meets the minimum requirements. The University's student health plan meets these minimum requirements. Information on health insurance for J-2 dependents is available at SISS.
- Change Your Address
- Updating your local U.S. address within 10 days of moving is required by immigration law. This should be done by using an iGlobal web form. The address entered must be your local U.S. address (where you will sleep at night, not an office or a Post Office Box number).
- Confirming Your Student or Enrollment Status
- If you are renewing your F-1 or J-1 visa, or otherwise need a letter to confirm your student status or your enrollment status, you should submit a Request for Education Verification from the Office of the Registrar. See the Education Verification Request Form for a complete list of information available.
If you are a graduate student in Filing Fee status, you will need to contact the appropriate Student Affairs Officer at the Office of Graduate Studies before you can request a Letter of Certification. - Travel
- Check the Travel Resources page
- Extension of Program
If you are unable to complete your studies before the program completion date on the DS-2019, you must apply for an extension at least 30 days prior to the expiration date of your DS-2019 and meet the following criteria:
1. Status has been continually maintained.
2. Compelling medical or academic reasons other than probation or suspension caused the delay in completion.
- 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:
1. Continue in the same program of study with UCD as you are with your current sponsor.
2. Discuss the timing of your transfer with your current program sponsor.
3. Discuss the timing of your transfer with your SISS International Student Advisor.
4. Arrange the SEVIS transfer with your current program sponsor and SISS International Student Advisor.
5. If you are transferring from a Federal government-sponsored program (Fulbright, LASPAU, VEF, etc) to UC Davis, pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at least 5 days prior to the transfer date.
- Visit fmjfee.com and enter your SEVIS ID number and the UC Davis J-1 Program Code: P-1-02538. Follow the instructions to pay the fee online.
6. Complete Transfer Program Sponsor request in iGlobal to obtain your DS-2019.
7. If you will need work authorization, submit the On-campus Employment or Academic Training request forms in iGlobal.- Responsibility for Dependents
- The J-1 scholar is responsible to ensure that J-2 dependents maintain their lawful status while in the United States.
- J-2 Dependent Employment
- J-2 dependents may apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for permission to accept employment as long as the purpose is not for the support of the J-1 student or scholar. Refer to our information page for J-2 Dependents for more information.
- 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. in some visa categories. For more information, please refer to the U.S. State Department's Exchange Visitor Visa information on Two-year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement.
Additional information for J-1 UCEAP Reciprocity students
DS-2019 Extension Calculator
View or download the extension calculator