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Information for Students on J-1 VisaSummary J-1 Visa Regulations for Students Extend Your Program Extend Your Program of Study (Extend Your DS-2019)As a student in J-1 status, it is required that you finish your program of study by the completion date on your current DS-2019. If you are not able to complete your degree by that date, you must contact the Department of International Services and Programs (DISP) to extend your program no later than one month before the date your DS-2019 will expire. In order to obtain a program extension, you must show that you have continually maintained status and that the extension is needed for compelling academic or medical reasons, such as a change in major or research topic, unexpected research problems, or a documented illness. Delays in completing your program caused by academic probation of studies or suspension are not acceptable reasons for extension of stay. If you fail to extend your I-20 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 F-1/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):
To determine how much you need to show please refer to the most current Financial Declaration form for your degree level (www.disp.uconn.edu/forms/forms.html). The financial support documents for self-supported individuals must meet the following criteria:
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 DS-2019 with the extended completion date. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and DS-2019SEVIS is the government database which maintains accurate and current information related to F student and J exchange visitor visas. The SEVIS Form DS-2019 is unique to each J-1 student and each J-1 student’s SEVIS ID number appears of this form. The J-1 student is required to read page 2 and sign the bottom of page 1 of the Form DS-2019. By signing, the J-1 student is agreeing to abide by all the J-1 rules and regulations associated with being on a J-1 student visa. The Form DS-2019 is issued to you by the Exchange Visitor Program sponsor, which can be identified on item 2 of the form. You are a University of Connecticut (UConn) sponsored J-1 student and expected to follow UConn’s university policies as well. The Form DS-2019 shows the J-1 student’s academic program information including the educational level, major, and program start date and end date as well as financial information. Your J-1 legal status ends on the completion date indicated on item #3 of the Form DS-2019 or when you complete/terminate your full-time study, whichever comes first. Before ANY changes occur on any items on the Form DS-2019 (i.e. change of funds, change of major, change of educational level, program end date/extension, etc), the J-1 student must contact an International Advisor at the Department of International Services & Programs (DISP) with the updated information and confirm if the changes are acceptable pursuant to J student regulations. Passport ValidityA passport must be valid for at least six months into the future at all times (unless there are automatic revalidation provisions in existence). If the passport does not meet the validity requirements, the student is considered in violation of his/her immigration status. I-94/Arrival & Departure RecordI-94 is a small white card you received upon arrival in the U.S. and shows where and when you legally entered the U.S. as well as your visa status and the expiration date (it should read J-1, D/S on your I-94). If you find that your I-94 is annotated other than J-1 (J-2 for dependents) and D/S, please bring it to attention of an International Advisor at DISP. I-94 is the only document that you can prove your legal status. It is an important document and, therefore you are expected to keep it safely. However, if you lose or damage the I-94 arrival/departure card, it can be replaced by applying for an I-94 replacement card to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) with an application fee. The application form for the I-94 replacement is Form I-102. Visit www.uscis.gov for more information about the I-102 application. Duration of Status (D/S) & 30-Day Grace PeriodDuration of Status (D/S) means the period during which the student is pursuing a full-time study (plus a 30-day grace period). This means that you can stay in the U.S. until the 30th day after the program end date in your DS-2019 or the date that you complete/end your full-time study, whichever comes earlier. If you withdraw from the J-1 exchange program, you must consult with an International Advisor at DISP about your situation before withdrawal and make sure if you are eligible for the grace period. Once the J-1 exchange visitor leaves the U.S. during a 30-day grace period after his/her program completion/withdrawal date, his/her J-1 status becomes invalid. You must leave from the U.S. by the 30-day grace period end date unless you have applied for a change of visa status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service. There are no exceptions and work authorization is not permitted during this time. As a J-1 student, you will not be eligible for any grace period if you violate your J-1 status and your J-1 SEVIS record is terminated. VisaAs a J-1 student, you must have a valid J-1 visa page in your passport at the time of entry/re-entry to the U.S. If your visa does not indicate multiple entries, you must apply for a new J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy/consulate abroad every time you travel outside the U.S. The visa cannot be obtained or renewed within the U.S. If the visa page expires while you are in the U.S., there is no problem as long as you maintain your legal J-1 status by complying with all J regulations. Applying for an Extension Prior to the DS-2019 Expiration DateJ-1 students must apply for an extension BEFORE their Form DS-2019 expires if they need more time to complete their academic program at UConn. Please complete “Program Extension for F-1 & J-1 International Students (DISP 913)” and submit it to DISP with the required documents for authorization. Only reasonable academic requests for an extension are acceptable pursuant to J regulations, the International Advisor at DISP will issue you an extended Form DS-2019. Study Abroad students on the Storrs campus should consult with Lisa McAdam-Donegan before requesting an extension from DISP. Report Your Address ChangeAll international students are required to maintain up to date Home Country and Current Local (Current U.S.) 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. Within 10 days of your move you must update your Current Local Address in Student Admin (PeopleSoft). Full-Time EnrollmentAll international students must be enrolled on a full-time basis at all times. The following is numbers of required credits per semester: There are exceptions to the full course of study requirements and they are as follows. To determine if you can be less than full-time you should consult with an International Student Advisor at DISP BEFORE you drop any course(s) of study and obtain authorization from him/her:
Report Changes in Academic Program to DISPJ-1 students must notify an International Advisor at DISP whenever there is a change in their academic program. The International Advisor will assess your situation and determine if the change can be made pursuant J-1 student regulations. If approved, in most cases, the International Advisor will issue you a new Form DS-2019 reflecting the change. Abide By Employment RegulationsJ-1 students are allowed to work for 20 hrs during the semester and 40 hrs during the break periods. You must obtain official permission in writing from an International Advisor at DISP before accepting employment. You will be required to complete the “J-1 Student Employment Approval Request Form (DISP 226)” prior to engaging in the employment. If the request is approved, the International Advisor will provide you with an employment authorization approval letter. Failure to get proper authorization will result in a violation of your J-1 status and will be grounds for termination in SEVIS. If you are a J-1 study abroad student, you first must receive work permission from Lisa McAdam-Donegan at the Study Abroad Office before asking for work permission from the DISP office. Maintain Adequate Health InsurancePursuant to 22 CFR § 62.14,J visa holders must maintain adequate health insurance for themselves and any dependents in J-2 status throughout their stay in the U.S. Please see page 2 of your DS-2019 section (f), which explains the mandatory insurance amounts and coverage. You must also read and sign “J-1/J-2 Exchange Visitor Medical Insurance Requirements (DISP 224)” and submit it to DISP. Failure to maintain required insurance coverage will result in termination of your legal J-1 status. You are required to prove that you and your dependent(s) possess the valid required insurance converge whenever requested by DISP. Travel AbroadJ-1 students are allowed to travel outside of the U.S. during their period of study at UConn, but they must get a travel signaturefrom an International Advisor at DISP BEFORE leaving. Travel signatures are issued on page 1 of the Form DS-2019. J-1 students must always carry their Form DS-2019 while traveling. For more information on travel requirements, visit http://disp.uconn.edu/currentstudents/travel.html. Receive Transfer Authorization Prior to Leaving UConnJ-1 students must receive authorization from an International Advisor at DISP before transferring from UConn to another University/College. Please consult with the International Advisor before accepting any admission offer to transfer to another University/College. Report Departure Date and Reason to DISPWhen you depart from UConn either earlier than your DS-2019 indicates or upon completion of your degree program, please inform the International Advisor at DISP. Please complete “International Student/Scholar - Departure Notice (DISP 912)”. The form can be downloaded at J-2 DependentsSpouse and minor children (under the age of 21) in J-2 status may study, full-time or part-time, during their stay in the United States. The spouse may apply for work permission with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services after living in the United States for at least three months. Please make an appointment with an international adviser to find out more information. |
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