J-1 Exchange Visitor Orientation

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

F

uture 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

PassportJ-1 Visa StampDS-2019I-94 Arrival/Departure Form

Passport

Passport should be renewed 6 months prior to expirationPassport 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

Allowed

M=Multiple

S=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 S

ignature

SEVIS ID Number

2- Year Home Residence Requirement

Program Sponsor

DS-2019 (cont.)

Information Included on the DS-2019:

Bio-Information

Program Sponsor & Information

Dates of Program

Exchange Visitor Category & Focus Area

Funding to Cover Program Costs

Not Relevant

Responsible Officer

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

E

xtension 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.

u

niversity

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:

y

ou 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 employmentNo employment = SSN not requiredSSN required for tax purposes onlySubmit application in person to local Social Security Office in Albany, Oregon (16km) with:Employment offer letter from employer Passport with J-1 visaI-94 Arrival/Departure formOriginal DS-2019One 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

V

isitors

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 ServicesInternational Programs, Oregon State UniversityUniversity Plaza – Suite 1901600 SW Western BlvdCorvallis, OR 973331-541-737-3006IP.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

/