Visa Categories

• Always maintain a valid and unexpired passport with at least six months of validity remaining. If your passport is close to expiration, contact your country's embassy for renewal.
• Keep your local address and phone number updated in Banner. Keep your local address and phone number updated in the SEVP Portal. Report the address and program change to the J-1 program sponsor within 10 days of the change.
• DS-2019
  • The Form DS-2019 identifies essential information about the J-1 program.
  • As of April 27, 2023, J-1 program sponsors are allowed to use digital signature software to sign Forms DS-2019 and then electronically transmit them. A J-1 Exchange Visitor and J-2 dependents are required to print and sign on page 1. No electronic signatures are allowed.
  • A J-1 Exchange Visitor must keep every DS-2019 form ever issued to them to prove their J-1 status history.
• Visa
  • Visa allows a J-1 Exchange Visitor to enter the United States*. The visa expiration date is the date up to which a J-1 Exchange Visitor is permitted to enter or re-enter the U.S. using that particular stamp. A J-1 Exchange Visitor should always enter the U.S. with a stamp that is consistent with J-1 status. Note that the visa is not an indication of the length of permission to stay.
  • A J-1 Exchange Visitor only needs to renew their visa when traveling outside the country and return to the U.S. after the expiration date on the visa page. All visa renewals must be obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate outside the U.S.

*Canadian citizens do not need a visa.

• I-94 Number
  • An I-94 is assigned to a J-1 Exchange Visitor when they enter the U.S. It confirms the J-1 program length and status. A J-1 Exchange Visitor is encouraged to print a copy of the most up-to-date I-94 record on the I-94 website. A J-1 Exchange Visitor needs the printed I-94 record to apply for a Social Security Number, Driver’s License, State photo ID, etc. It is most recommended that the I-94 record be checked for accuracy upon every entry to the U.S.
• Duration of Status (D/S)
  • Duration of Status or D/S is the length of time for which a J-1 Exchange Visitor may stay in J-1 status in the U.S. It is found in the I-94 record.
  • D/S allows a J-1 Exchange Visitor to stay in the U.S. as long as they comply with all immigration regulations. D/S is based on the completion date of the DS-2019, plus a 30-day grace period.

DS-2019 Extension

• J-1 Research Scholar/Professor has a total of up to 5 years in the J-1 program. To extend a DS-2019, the host department should submit the DS-2019 Extension Request about one month before the expiration of the current DS-2019 in the International Services Portal.

Transfer of Program

• If at any time a J-1 Exchange Visitor would like to transfer to another institution or laboratory at Thomas Jefferson University, they must contact OIS before making any changes.

Leave the Program

• Federal regulations mandate that J-1 Exchange Visitors engage in J-1 program activities full-time in the U.S. Depending on your program duration, hosting department, HR policies, and payment status (paid or unpaid), J-1 Exchange Visitors may be eligible for leave and/or time off benefits.
• J-1 Exchange Visitors who are Jefferson employees under TJU, TJUH, JUP, and Einstein may be eligible upon the department’s discretion and HR policy regarding leave and/or time off. J-1 Exchange Visitors must work with their HR Business Partner and OIS to confirm eligibility.
• J-1 Exchange Visitors who are employees of Jefferson’s affiliates (Rothman Institute, Wills Eye Institute, Nemours, Bryn Mawr, Lankenau) must work with their HR Business Partner and OIS to confirm eligibility.
• Unpaid leaves not protected by state or federal law such as the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or a J-1 Exchange Visitor who is not a Jefferson/Jefferson affiliate employee are limited to thirty (30) calendar days at the discretion of their host department. Departments must consult with OIS before approving any leave without pay.
• All J-1 Exchange Visitors must keep OIS apprised of their leave status, including, where practicable, prior to taking leave. J-1 Exchange Visitors should know that extended leaves may compromise continued J-1 eligibility.

End of Program

• J-1 status and DS-2019 expire when a J-1 Exchange Visitor finishes your research or teaching program, regardless of the end date listed on your current DS-2019.
• Once the J-1 program is completed, a J-1 Exchange Visitor has a 30-day grace period to prepare for departure or tour the U.S.

• Prior to traveling outside of the United States during the J-1 program, a J-1 Exchange Visitor is required to submit the International Travel Registration request in the International Services Portal.
• When traveling internationally, a J-1 Exchange Visitor must have their DS-2019 signed by the Office of International Services. Each signature is valid for one year.
• A passport must be valid for at least six (6) months past your travel dates.
• A J-1 visa must be valid for re-entry into the U.S.* If international travel is needed and the visa is expired, a J-1 Exchange Visitor must arrange sufficient time to renew a J-1 visa outside the country at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy before returning to the U.S.
  For more information, visit the Department of State’s U.S. Embassy website.

* Canadian citizens do not need to have a visa.

• A J-1 Exchange Visitor is only permitted to do the activity that is indicated on their DS-2019. If a J-1 Exchange Visitor is interested in accepting other kinds of work or compensation during their stay, they must obtain permission from OIS before they receive payment from or provide services to a U.S. entity. A J-1 Exchange Visitor should not accept any unauthorized employment.
• A J-1 Scholar/Professor may participate remotely no more than 40% of their program (e.g., two out of five days per week). J-1 Scholar/Professor is required to report any remote participation with the OIS.

A J-1 Exchange Visitor is required to report any changes to contact information to OIS within 10 days of the change. This includes any changes to the local U.S. address, telephone number, and email address. To report, submit the Contact Information Update request in the International Services Portal.

All J-1 Exchange Visitors and any dependents in J-2 status must be covered by health insurance that meets the U.S. Department of State requirements. Willful failure to comply with this requirement will result in the termination of the J-1 program. More detailed information about J-1 insurance is found in the J-1 Insurance Requirement.

Incidents that could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor or otherwise could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor's exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute must be reported to OIS, who must then report it to the U.S. Department of State.

Examples

• Incidents involving the criminal justice system
• Theft of intellectual property or violations of export controls
• Sexually-related incidents or abuse
• Negative press involving a sponsor's exchange visitor program
• Other situations impacting an Exchange Visitor’s safety

• J‐1 Student Interns are required by federal regulations to submit evaluations to the OIS to outline whether program objectives are being met. Student Interns should coordinate with their internship supervisors to complete and sign the evaluation form.
• If the internship duration is less than six months: Submit a final evaluation to the OIS at least 10 days before departing the U.S.
• If the internship duration is more than six months: Submit a Mid-Point Evaluation to the OIS no more than 15 days from the mid‐point of the internship. Submit a Final Evaluation to the OIS at least 10 days before departing the U.S.