Information for Visiting Scholars and Professors on J-1 Visa

Summary J-1 Visa Regulations for Visting Scholars
Address Requirements for Students and Scholars

Extend Your DS-2019
J-1 Scholar Sample Letter of Support (if scholar is supported by someone other than UConn or home government)
Sample Letter for Non-Compensated Visiting Scholar
212(e) - Two Year Home Residency Requirement
Five Year Limit/ 24-Month Bar / 12-Month Bar
Travel Signature - J Scholar Sample Employment Verification Letter
Dependent Request Form

Update Your Address - Address Requirements

All international students and research scholars are required to maintain up to date Home Country (HomeCountry) and Current Local (Current) addresses.  Immigration laws require you to report your new current local and home country addresses within 10 days of your move.

Failure to comply with this regulation will be considered a violation of your immigration status and will result in the termination of your record in SEVIS.

**Research Scholars** - To change your Home Country Address or your Current Local Address please submit "DISP 156- Address Change Request Form" to the DISP Office.

Extend Your DS-2019

If you wish to extend your J-1 program period to continue your visiting scholar activity, you must contact the Department of International Services and Programs (DISP) to extend your program no later than one month before the end date of your DS-2019.

In order to obtain a program extension, you must show that you have continually maintained your J-1 status.  If you fail to extend your DS-2019 in a timely fashion or you do not meet the eligibility requirements to apply for a program extension, you have to apply for reinstatement to J-1 status. In that case, please contact DISP for more information how to apply for a reinstatement. 

How to apply for a program extension

Submit the following to DISP (at least one month before the DS-2019 expiration date):

• Completed J-1 Visiting Scholar Extension Request Form "DISP 915" (visit www.disp.uconn.edu click "FORMS" > Click "Extension Request Forms")
  
• Updated sponsor letter or invitation letter from your UConn hosting department: this letter must be on department letterhead signed by your hosting faculty member and contain your position title, salary/stipend (if applicable), and new contract period or hosted period (start date and end date)
• Updated letter from your sponsor organization with amount of funding and duration of support
• If you are an non-compensated/self-supported visiting scholar or the funds that you receive from UConn and/or your sponsor organization don’t cover the total estimated costs for the requested extended period, you need also to submit the current proof of financial support documents (i.e. a bank statement)

To determine how much you need to show please refer to the chart below.

The financial support documents for self-supported individuals must meet the following criteria:

1. Official and original;
2. No more than 3 months old;
3. Must be in English;
4. Must indicate specific fund amount;
5. Must be liquid funds (checking and/or savings accounts); and
6. If the support funding is from parents or a family member, please attach a bank statement of the sponsor and a letter from him/her stating the willingness to sponsor, amount of funding and the duration of support.

• Proof of medical/health insurance mandated by the U.S. Department of State regulations which has been valid in your current J-1 program period.  Please note that if you have not had the required insurance, you are not eligible for an extension as you are considered to have violated your J-1 status.

DISP will then determine your eligibility for a program extension. If approved, an International Advisor at DISP will notify SEVIS of your new completion date and issue a new SEVIS Form I-20/DS-2019 with the extended completion date.