Maintaining J-1 Status

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.