J-1 Status Maintenance | International Services

To maintain J-1 status, exchange visitors must follow all requirements specific to their program category.

Failure to comply may result in a violation of status, termination of the SEVIS record, and loss of J-1 benefits. In such cases, the participant must depart the U.S. immediately.

Need Help? Contact the Office of International Services with any questions to stay in compliance with U.S. immigration laws.

J-1 Participant Responsibilities

SEVIS Validation

J-1 participants must report to the Responsible Officer, located in the Office of International Services prior to the program start date listed on your DS-2019 to complete the required immigration check-in and report your U.S. address and telephone number.

Maintain Required Documents

Exchange visitors are at all times expected to maintain a:

Valid DS-2019
Valid Passport
I-94 record that reflects “D/S” and “J-1” status

Report Address Changes

J-1 participants are required to report any address change to the Responsible Officer within 10 days.

Engage in Appropriate Activities

Each category has a definition and expectations for the activities of the exchange visitor.

Students must pursue a full course of study.
Scholars and Professors must perform research, lecture, consult, or teach.

Be Employed Only With Authorization

Unauthorized employment is a violation of program status. An exchange visitor’s participation is subject to termination if engaged in unauthorized employment.

Students may be authorized to engage in two kinds of employment: (1) academic training related to the course of study, and (2) other employment related to academic funding, on-campus work, if authorized to do so by their Responsible Officer (RO).
Scholars and Professors may receive compensation from the sponsor when employment activities are part of the exchange visitor’s program and may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations, incidental to the exchange visitor’s primary program activities, if authorized to do so by their Responsible Officer (RO).

Carry Health Insurance

All J-1 program participants and their dependents must maintain health insurance coverage meeting federal requirements throughout their program duration.

To learn more, visit J-1 Insurance Requirements.

Duration of Status

J-1 participants and their J-2 dependents must depart the United States within 30 days of their Form DS-2019 expiration date or program completion date, whichever is earlier. Scholars completing their programs early must notify International Services.