A visa program through the U.S. Department of State which provides “…foreign students the opportunity to participate in a designated exchange program while studying at a degree-granting post-secondary accredited educational institution. Exchange visitors under this category may participate in degree and non-degree programs. Such exchanges are intended to promote mutual understanding by fostering the exchange of ideas between foreign students and their American counterparts.” 22 CFR 62.23 , Chapter I, Subpart B (a)
Dartmouth College is authorized to offer five categories of J-1 visa status:
• Professor
• Research Scholar
• Short term Scholar
• Student (degree and non-degree)
• Specialist
See http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ovis/updates/j1/categories.html for more complete descriptions of each category.
• Valid unexpired documents – DS-2019, passport, and Form I-94 marked “D/S”. If you entered the U.S. by land the Form I-94 will be a white card stapled to your passport. If you entered the U.S. by air or see you will receive an Admission stamp in your passport, and a Form I-94 will be created electronically by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). You can access and print your electronic Form I-94 here.
• Full-time enrollment, defined as three (3) courses at the undergraduate level. Graduate level program enrollment differs according to the particular graduate program requirements.
• Only authorized employment.
• Satisfactory advancement towards completion of the academic program
• Adequate health insurance coverage for the entire period of program participation.
• Timely report of any address changes, within 10 days of the change.
Yes, with prior approval from their Office of Visa and Immigration Services Advisor for the specific employment, for up to twelve months.
• The student must be in good academic standing.
• The student must continue to engage in a full course of study, except for official school breaks and during the student’s annual vacation term.
Employment may be no more than 20 hours per week, except during official school breaks and the student’s annual vacation term when employment may be “full time.”
Yes, this is called “Academic Training” and must be approved by the Academic Dean or Advisor and by the OVIS Advisor. The approval must be for the specific employment, in advance and in writing, for up to 18 months or no longer than the duration of the student’s academic program.
No. The student may participate in academic training programs during his or her studies, with or without wage or remuneration. Advance written permission from the OVIS Advisor is required in any event.
On campus employment must be for Dartmouth College, and may be in any student-related area of the college, e.g. dining hall, library, research for a professor, etc.
Off-campus academic training must be directly related to the student’s major field of study as listed on his or her Form DS-2019.
Yes. Students should see their OVIS Advisor for more information.
Known as rule 212(3), the Two-Year Home Residency may be imposed by the Consulate issuing the visa, for J exchange visitors who:
An individual may not enter in the J-1 category of professor or research scholar if he or she has been physically present in the United States in J-1 status for all or part of the twelve month period immediately preceding the date of program commencement as stated on his or her Form DS-2019, unless:
Please contact the Office of Visa and Immigration Services if you have any questions about the 12-month bar. http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ovis/updates/j1/barinfo.html
All travelers who plan to re-enter the U.S. require
• A valid passport;
• A valid DS-2019 (for J-1 visa holders) with a valid travel signature;
• A valid J-1 visa stamp (unless the person is from Canada);
• A valid Form I-94:
• If you entered the U.S. by land -- will be a white card which is usually stapled to the passport
• If you entered the U.S. by air or sea -- will be processed electronically by CBP. After you enter the U.S. you can access and print an electronic Form I-94 here.
• Proof of financial support
We also recommend:
• Copies of academic transcripts to verify enrollment and academic progress for students.
See full information on the OVIS website: http://www.dartmouth.edu/~ovis/updates/j1/travel.html
J exchange visitors who are maintaining status, and who require more time to complete their academic program, must apply for an extension. Eligibility for a program extension will depend on each individual's circumstances and program category. Extensions must be done prior to the end of the current DS-2019 by submitting the form “DS-2019 extension request” to the OVIS Advisor. The form is found here: https://fs8.formsite.com/Rcatmur/ProgramExtension/secure_index.html
The student must simultaneously contact the Registrar’s office to verify their new anticipated graduation date or program end date.
Yes, if the program sponsor is approved for the J-1 visitor category and if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the program objective for which the exchange visitor was admitted, and if it is in the same J-1 category. Contact the Office of Visa and Immigration Services for specific information about transfer.
All exchange visitors are required by law to have sickness and accident insurance, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, for the duration of their program. Failure to carry such insurance is considered a violation of regulations. Contact the Office of Visa and Immigration Services for specific information about the coverage requirements imposed by law.
Yes. Spouses and unmarried minor children under the age of 21 are eligible for J-2 dependent status. Funding for the support of the dependents, as well as required health insurance must be shown before any J-2 documentation may be issued.
J exchange visitors who are maintaining status, and who require more time to complete their academic program, must apply for an extension. Eligibility for a program extension will depend on each individual's circumstances and program category. Extensions must be done prior to the end of the current DS-2019 by submitting the form “DS-2019 extension request” to the OVIS Advisor. The form is found here
The student must simultaneously contact the Registrar’s office to verify their new anticipated graduation date or program end date.
Yes, if the program sponsor is approved for the J-1 visitor category and if the purpose of the transfer is to complete the program objective for which the exchange visitor was admitted, and if it is in the same J-1 category. Contact the Office of Visa and Immigration Services for specific information about transfer.
All exchange visitors are required by law to have sickness and accident insurance, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation insurance, for the duration of their program. Failure to carry such insurance is considered a violation of regulations. Contact the Office of Visa and Immigration Services for specific information about the coverage requirements imposed by law.
Yes. Spouses and unmarried minor children under the age of 21 are eligible for J-2 dependent status. Funding for the support of the dependents, as well as required health insurance must be shown before any J-2 documentation may be issued.
The Machine Readable Visa fee (MRV fee) is $131.00 (accurate as of 2008). More information on visa fees can be found online, here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1263.html
Depending on your country's policy on fees for U.S. citizens, there may also be a "reciprocity fee" that you will have to pay. You can find information on the reciprocity fees online, here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/reciprocity/reciprocity_3272.html
If you are applying for a J-1 visa in the researcher, professor, student or specialist categories, you must also pay a SEVIS fee of $180.00 (accurate as of 2008). You can find more information on how to pay the SEVIS fee online, here: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
This depends on many factors, among them, what type of visa, which Consulate, and whether your application will be subject to a security clearance check. In general, most U.S. visas are approved and issued within a day or two, though some can take a little longer. Most security clearances are approved within two to four weeks. You can find information online regarding visa appointment and processing wait times, here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/tempvisitors_wait.php
This depends on the type of visa for which you are applying. Each Embassy will tell you what to bring to the visa appointment
In general, J-1 applicants should bring:
This is evidence that you have strong ties to your home country, and that you plan to return there after your U.S. program of study or research. This sort of evidence canvary widely:
If you are applying for a J-1 visa in the researcher, professor, student or specialist categories, you must also pay a SEVIS fee of $180.00 (accurate as of 2008). You can find more information on how to pay the SEVIS fee online, here: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
No - J-2 dependents do not need to pay the SEVIS fee.
J applicants who are also having a spouse or children apply for dependent visas should bring marriage certificates, translated to English, and birth certificates
This means that your visa application has been subjected to a security clearance procedure. In general, this will add between two and four weeks to the visa application process. Unfortunately, there is nothing anyone can do to speed this process. Please do let us know if your application is delayed due to a security clearance check. We may need to issue you a new DS-2019 form with a deferred start date.
This means that your visa application has been subjected to a security clearance procedure. In general, this will add between two and four weeks to the visa application process. Unfortunately, there is nothing anyone can do to speed this process. Please do let us know if your application is delayed due to a security clearance check. We may need to issue you a new DS-2019 form with a deferred start date.
There are usually three reasons a person would be subject to the home residency requirement:
The home residency requirement (regulation 212 e) means that you will be required to return to your home country at the completion of your J-1 program for a two-year period before you are allowed to apply for an H-1B temporary worker visa, and L-1 work visa or US permanent residency. It does not prevent you from returning to the US as a student or tourist at any time.
J1 participants who were subject to regulation 212(e) may file for a waiver of the home residency requirement. There are several categories for filing a waiver. More information on filing a waiver to the 212(e) home residency requirement can be found online, here: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html
A denial based on regulation 214(b) generally means that the applicant has failed to prove nonimmigrant intent. This means that the consular officer was not convinced that you intended to leave the United States at the end of your program. You may reapply for the visa if you have new information relating to your nonimmigrant intent.
Yes, in general, if your visa is denied, you may reapply. You should be sure that you have new evidence or information, however, before you reapply. If you are denied a visa please inform our office as soon as possible.
DJ one research and professor categories are considered interchangeable. As a research scholar you are allowed to teach for your sponsoring institution and as a professor you are allowed to conduct research for your sponsoring institution. You are not allowed any employment opportunities that are not directly related to your program of research or teaching.
Yes J-1 researchers and professors may accept occasional outside lectures and consultations for pay if they do not delay the progress of the primary research or teaching program. You are sponsoring department or faculty member must approve these offers an advance, and they must be approved in writing, in advance, by your immigration advisor at the Office of Visa and Immigration Services.
If you're funding sources change in any way, you must inform your immigration advisor at the office of visa and immigration services as soon as possible. You are advisor will need to amend your DS-2019 form. J1 participants must always be able to show enough funding to support themselves and any accompanying dependents for the duration of the program in the United States. In general, this should be equivalent to at least $24,000 per year, or $2000 per month. Note that it is possible for a jay one research or professor category to be self-funded.
You should notify your immigration advisor at the Office of Visa and Immigration Services as soon as possible. If allowed under your J1 category, your advisor can extend your DS 2019 form to allow you to remain in the US longer.
Yes, you can. The research and professor J-1 categories are considered interchangeable by the US Department of State.
You should first contact your immigration advisor at the Office of Visa and Immigration Services. You advisor will send you a link to a online form required in order to transfer your J-1 program from your current host institution to Dartmouth College. Please note that there are restrictions on the amount of time you are allowed to remain in the US as a J-1 participant depending on what category you hold. In order to transfer your J-1 record to Dartmouth College, you must have time remaining within your J-1 category and you must be transferring to study or conduct research in the same is field in which your original DS-2019 form was issued.
You should contact your immigration advisor at the Office of Visa and Immigration Services to request a J-2 dependent DS-2019 form. Your spouse will need to apply for a J-2 dependent visa at the US Embassy. Using this DS-2019 form before coming to the US.
Yes, J2 dependent spouses may apply for work authorization within the United States. He or she will need to file an application for work card to the US government. You should contact your immigration advisor at the office of these and immigration services for more information on this process. It can take three to four months for the work hard to be issued by the government. Your spouse may not work while the work card application is pending, but may be actively looking for work. Note that the J-2 spouse may not use the money earned while working in the US to support the J-1.
Yes as a jay one visa applicant, you will need to be able to prove nonimmigrant intent if asked by the consular officer. This is evidence showing that you have strong ties to your home country, and that you plan to return there after your U.S. program of study or research. This sort of evidence canvary widely:
permanent employment offer in the home country
No, you may not legally except this employment under a J-1 research category. Any employment you accept must be related to your field of study or research, and approved by your immigration advisor in the Office of Visa and Immigration Services.
Yes, you can under a procedure called "automatic revalidation". This allows some non-immigrants to travel to Canada for a period of less than 30 days and return using an expired visa. You must have in your possession:
Please contact your immigration advisor at the office of visa and immigration services, if you plan to take advantage of automatic revalidation of an expired visa.
