All exchange visitors are responsible for maintaining their status and therefore becoming familiar with the regulations related to their status. To understand the regulations related to a J-1 Exchange Visitor status, please read the information below carefully. Always contact your international advisor at ISSS with any questions or concerns regarding your immigration status or documents.<\/p>\n
A passport is an official document issued by a government certifying a person’s identity and nationality. International scholars must always have a valid passport and should carry it with them whenever they leave Flagstaff. Scholars should notify their scholar advisor if their passport is lost, stolen, or expired; however, scholars must contact their country’s embassy for a passport renewal or replacement.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
The J-1 visa sticker permits scholars to enter the United States for a specific purpose for a specific period of time. This visa may either be for single or multiple entries.<\/p>\n
If your J-1 visa expires during your stay in the United States, but Form DS-2019 is valid and Form I-94 is correct with class of admission (J-1) and an admit date of ‘D\/S’, your legal immigration status in the United States remains valid. However, if your visa is expired and you depart the United States, you will be required to obtain a new visa before reentering the United States. It is not possible to renew a J-1 visa within the United States.<\/p>\n
Note: if traveling to Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands for a period of less than 30 days, scholars will be permitted to reenter on an expired visa, provided that it corresponds with scholars’ current visa status and your DS-2019 is valid with a valid travel signature.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Form DS-2019 or “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status” is the form used to schedule an interview at a US consulate or embassy and obtain a J-1 visa stamp to enter the United States.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Form I-94 is a record of lawful admission. Scholars must always have their most current I-94 on file within iNAU. It is also a good idea to keep a printed copy of your most recent I-94 among your immigration documents.<\/p>\n
Upon every entry, scholars must check that Form I-94 is correct with class of admission (J-1) and admit until date (D\/S or “duration of status”). If there is an error on your class of admission or admit until date, contact ISSS immediately.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
Contact your ISSS advisor immediately<\/strong> if you lose your immigration documents! While it’s important to be careful with your immigration documents, accidents happen. NAU ISSS is only able to replace DS-2019 SEVIS documents, which can be requested through iNAU<\/a>.<\/p>\n Passports can be replaced in your home country or at the closest embassy or consulate. A US visa can only be replaced at a US embassy or consulate abroad, which will be needed to travel and return to the US in J-1 status.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n Scholars must report any changes to their biographical, financial, and academic information. Change of address, change of degree level or major, and change in funding are some examples of the information that must be recorded.<\/p>\n The following information must always be current in SEVIS:<\/p>\n Inform your ISSS scholar advisor of any changes that affect your J-1 status, as these may require SEVIS notification.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents must maintain health insurance including basic medical health insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance throughout their stay in the United States according to US Department of State minimums.<\/p>\n You must always inform your scholar advisor of the status and location of your J-2 dependent.<\/p>\n The J-2 visa is for dependents of J-1s, either spouse or a child, of the J-1 visa holder. J-1 scholars who would like to bring a dependent to the US, will need to provide proof of funding of $500\/month per dependent.<\/p>\n Step 1:<\/u><\/strong> Request a J-2 DS-2019<\/p>\n To receive DS-2019s for your dependents, you will need to submit a new DS-2019 form at iNAU<\/a>. You will need the following documents:<\/p>\n Step 2:<\/u><\/strong> Receive new DS-2019s and send to dependents<\/p>\n Once we have received your request, we will issue new DS-2019s for you and your dependents and you will receive an email notification when they are ready for pickup. Your dependents will need their original DS-2019s, so you will need to arrange for their receipt of the documents. No SEVIS I-901 fee is required for J-2 dependents.<\/p>\n Step 3:<\/u><\/strong> Apply for J-2 visa<\/p>\n Your J-2 dependent(s) must have the original DS-2019 and should use their new DS-2019 to schedule a visa appointment and apply for a J-2 visa at a US embassy or consulate abroad.<\/p>\n Family members who are not your legal spouse or child are not considered dependents and do not qualify for a J-2 visa. They can apply to get a B-1 or B-2 visitor visa. Find more details on how to apply for a B-1 or B-2 visa on the State Department’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Accompanying dependents of J-1 scholars who hold J-2 visas need to apply for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from USCIS in order to work in the United States. Employment cannot begin until the EAD is received. If approved, J-2 income should not be used to support their spouse. Please see an ISSS Scholar Advisor at the Center for International Education for more information.<\/p>\n J-2 visa holders can study part-time or full-time.<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n If you wish to study while participating as a J-1 scholar, please contact your ISSS Scholar Advisor.<\/p>\n J-1 exchange visitors in Short-Term Scholar and Research Scholar\/Professor categories may be allowed to participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations at off-campus locations and receive a small stipend or honorarium. Scholars must obtain prior <\/em>written authorization from their ISSS Scholar Advisor.<\/p>\n Scholars who will be paid by NAU will need to apply for a Social Security Number upon their arrival to the United States.<\/p>\n A Social Security Number (SSN) is a unique, permanent identification number used for income tax reporting.<\/p>\n You do not<\/u><\/strong> need a Social Security Number to:<\/p>\n The IRS or any other government agency will not contact people over the phone or via email requesting their Social Security Number. Do not give out your SSN unless you are certain it is for a legitimate purpose. Do not carry your Social Security card with you\u2013keep it in a secure place. <\/strong><\/p>\n To apply for an SSN:<\/u><\/p>\n You will need to apply for your SSN directly through the Social Security Administration. You will need to bring the following documents with you to apply for an SSN:<\/p>\n Scholars who will be paid by NAU may begin work once they have applied for the Social Security Number and taken their receipt to HR. Once the card arrives, sign it and keep it in a safe location.<\/p>\n You will receive a Social Security card in the mail approximately one to two weeks after applying for it.<\/p>\n A J-1 scholar may transfer from one program sponsor to another if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the objective for which they were admitted. You will need to meet with your ISSS Scholar Advisor to verify if this is an option available to you and the transfer must be approved by your current NAU host department.<\/p>\n An exchange participant who has entered the United States under the Exchange Visitor Program as a professor or research scholar, or who has acquired such status while in the United States and who has completed his or her program, is not eligible for participation as a professor or research scholar for a period of two years following the end date of their program participation as identified in SEVIS.<\/p>\n A J-1 exchange visitor whose:<\/p>\n The end date on the DS-2019 is the date that the scholars program in the United States ends. However, scholars have a 30-day grace period after their program completion before they are required to leave the United States. This grace period may be used to prepare for departure, or to travel in the United States.\u00a0 Scholars are not allowed to engage in any kind of employment or continued research during the grace period. If scholars depart the United States during their grace period, the grace period will end.<\/p>\n Scholars who are unable to complete their objectives by the end date of their DS-2019, must apply through their department host for a Program Extension on iNAU<\/a> approximately 60 days before the end date on Form DS-2019.<\/p>\n Scholars who intend to return home prior to the completion of their program should schedule an appointment with an ISSS Scholar Advisor.Maintaining your status<\/h3>\n\n
Required information updates Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n
\n
\n
Health insurance requirement Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
\n
J-2 dependents Accordion Closed<\/span><\/h4>\n <\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n
Adding a spouse and\/or children dependent<\/h5>\n
\n
Extended family<\/h5>\n
Work<\/h5>\n
Study <\/em><\/strong><\/h5>\n
Study<\/h3>\n
Occasional lectures or consultations<\/h3>\n
Social Security Number<\/h3>\n
\n
\n
Transfer out<\/h3>\n
Two year ban on repeat participation<\/h3>\n
Two year home residency requirement, 212(e)<\/h3>\n
\n
Program completion<\/h3>\n
\n\nContact International Student and Scholar Services<\/h3>\n <\/div>\n