J-1 Exchange Visitor Orientation

Presented by International Scholar & Faculty Services,

Oregon State University

Introductions Please introduce yourself:

• Name• Country• Department• Research Area or Focus• Length of Program

Presentation Contents Overview of Exchange Visitor J Program Important Terms and Websites Immigration Documents Responsibilities of Exchange Visitors Bars to Future Program Participation Employment Authorization Social Security Number, Dependents, etc. The ISFS Office Questions

Overview of Exchange Visitor Program and J-1 Visa

The Exchange Visitor Program provides international candidates the opportunity to travel and gain experience in the United States. Teaching Studying Conducting research Demonstrating special skills Receiving on the job training

OSU J-Programs &Maximum Length of Programs

Professor• 5 years

Research Scholar• 5 years

Short Term Scholar• 6 months

Student Intern• 12 months

Specialist 12 months

J-2 Dependents (spouse or child)

Important Terms & Acronyms

SEVIS: Student & Exchange Visitor Information System• USCIS: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

• DHS: Department of Homeland Security

• DOS: Department of State

Overview of Immigration Documents

Passport J-1 Visa Stamp DS-2019 I-94 Arrival/Departure Form

Passport Passport should be renewed 6 months

prior to expiration Passport related questions (lost passport,

incorrect passport information, passport renewal, etc.) should be asked to your home country’s embassy or consulate

J Visa Stamp

Entries AllowedM=MultipleS=Single Entry 2 Year Home Residency

Requirement 212(e)

Visa Expiration Date

Visa Category

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of entry, and request permission of the U.S. immigration inspector to enter the U.S.

DS-2019 Certificate of

Eligibility for Exchange

Visitor Status (J-1 or J-2)

Program Dates (Duration of Status)

Travel Signature

SEVIS ID Number

2- Year Home Residence Requirement

Program Sponsor

DS-2019 (cont.)Information Included on the DS-2019:1. Bio-Information2. Program Sponsor & Information3. Dates of Program4. Exchange Visitor Category & Focus Area5. Funding to Cover Program Costs6. Not Relevant7. Responsible Officer8. Transfer Information (if any) Preliminary Endorsement of 212(e) Travel Validation Signature by

Responsible Officer Signature of Exchange Visitor (sign here)

I-94 FormArrival/ Departure Record

Referred to as “Admission Number”https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

The following information is required to retrieve your Admission (I-94) number. Enter the information as it appears on the travel documents you used to enter the United States.

• Name• Birth Date• Passport Number• Country• Most Recent Date of Entry• Class of Admission

You will need to print your I-94 form in order to show it at the Social Security Office, Department of Motor Vehicles, apply for certain immigration benefits, etc.

Current Scholars: Responsibilities of Exchange Visitors

Exchange Visitors must follow these rules in order to maintain immigration status and stay legally in the United States• It is your personal responsibility to know and

follow the rules of your visa category• Failure to maintain status may result in

termination of visa and SEVIS record, fees to correct status, or removal from the United States.

• Staying in illegal status may result in a 3 to 10 year ban from returning to the U.S.

Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

1. Report address changes• Must be reported within 10 days of change• Send email to the International Scholar Advisor

2. Report changes in program• Changes in program such as research focus, sponsor,

program length, category, finances, etc.• Must be reported immediately to the

International Scholar Advisor prior to any change

Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

3. Maintain Health Insurance• Health Insurance is mandatory for all J-1 and J-2

visitors during entire J-program• Must meet Department of State requirements• No insurance = termination of program

• Have you purchased your health insurance yet?

Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

4. Apply for an Extension Prior to the DS-2019 Expiration• Extension must be requested by sponsoring

department

• Additional fee is required

• Be aware of maximum program length depending on Exchange Visitor category

Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

5. Receive Transfer Authorization Prior to Leaving OSU• May be eligible to transfer to another U.S.

university• Transfer processed by OSU sponsoring

department, new program sponsor, and ISFS• Contact ISFS 6 weeks prior to transfer

Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

6. Obtain Travel Signature Prior to Traveling Outside the U.S.

Travel requires: Valid Passport

Valid U.S. Visa

Valid DS-2019 with TRAVEL SIGNATURE (valid 1 year)

Visa to country to visit unless waived

• Remember: you may not leave your J-2 dependents in the US for a period longer than 30 days or they will be out of status.

Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

7. Depart the U.S. within the 30 Day Grace Period following Program End Date• You can stay in the U.S. up to 30 days after the

Program End Date on your DS-2019 or you complete your program (whichever is sooner)

• You may NOT Work, research, or be paid during the grace period

• You may Use this time for travel within the U.S.

Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

8. Report Departure to ISFS• Send an email to the International Scholar

Advisor about your planned departure

• Fill out the Departure Form

• ISFS updates your record with SEVIS and OSU

Future Plan: Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

9. Bars to Further Program Participation

24 Month Bar: • J-1 Research Scholars and Professors cannot use the

same J-1 category for 24 months after end of current program

12 Month Bar: • Other J exchange visitors in the U.S. for more than 6

months must wait 12 months to use the Research Scholar or Professor category

Bars to Further J-1 Program Participation (cont.)

Student Interns• Only one internship allowed per degree level

Undergraduate degree Masters degree Doctorate degree

Future Plan: Responsibilities of J-1 Exchange Visitors

10. Two Year Home Residency Requirement 212(e) You must return to your home country and be

PHYSICALLY PRESENT for a total of 2 years before you are eligible to obtain a work visa (H-1B or L-1) or Permanent Residency (K visa)• You may return to the US on other visa types (e.g. tourist,

student, exchange visitor)

• Your J-2 dependents are also subject to this requirement

• Check if you are subject to this requirement by requesting an Advisory Opinion

Acknowledgement

Please read and sign your name on the form acknowledging you understand your responsibilities as a J-1 Exchange Visitor at

Oregon State University

Employment Authorization A J-1 holder is only allowed to perform the activity listed

on his/her Form DS-2019 and as stated in the regulations for that category of exchange.• Only authorized employment is allowed

• Prior approval is required

Unauthorized employment constitutes as failing to maintain Exchange Visitor status

Social Security Number (SSN) Social Security Number is only issued with an offer of

employment• No employment = SSN not required

• SSN required for tax purposes only

Submit application in person to local Social Security Office in Albany, Oregon (16km) with:

Employment offer letter from employer Passport with J-1 visa I-94 Arrival/Departure form Original DS-2019 One additional piece of identification

J-2 Visa for Dependents Dependent = Spouses and Children (unmarried

children under the age of 21)

Dependents may study or work• Employment Authorization Document required

Status is dependent upon the status of the principle J-1 holder

Allowed to remain in the United States as long as the principle J-1 Visa holder has valid J-1 status

May not be left in the U.S. for a period longer than 30 days without the principle J-1

The ISFS Office Offers orientation, resources and

information on website for Exchange Visitors Advises on visa and immigration questions

and consults on employment options Helps you explore options after program

completion Programming, events, and activities Highlights exchange visitor experiences

*Meetings are by appointment only please*

Questions and Answers

Contact ISFSInternational Scholar & Faculty Services

International Programs, Oregon State University

University Plaza – Suite 1901600 SW Western Blvd

Corvallis, OR 973331-541-737-3006

IP.Reception@oregonstate.edu

We hope you have an enjoyable and successful experience at Oregon State University!

Resources ISFS Website: http://

oregonstate.edu/international/atosu/scholars

U.S. Department of State: http://j1visa.state.gov/participants/

Travel.State.Gov: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html

SEVIS: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/