Basic Requirements
- Check-in with ISSS to activate your J-1 status
- Maintain health insurance for the entire duration of your J-1 program
- Learn more about J-1 Insurance Requirements
- Only engage in activities permitted for your J-1 category
- If you would like to change your J-1 category, click here for more information
- Request a DS-2019 extension if more time is needed – at least 15 days before your current DS-2019 expiration date
- Obtain a travel signature if you plan to travel outside the U.S. and re-enter during your program
- Request to transfer your J-1 program to another institution, if needed
- Must be done before your DS-2019 program end date
- Report changes to ISSS. This includes, but is not limited to, changes in:
- Your personal address
- Employment address or site of activity
- Funding
- Supervisor
- Department
- Program end date (including leaving early or withdrawing)
- ISSS may need to update your SEVIS record and issue a new DS-2019 for some of these changes
J-2 Dependents must also follow certain rules to maintain status. See the F-2/J-2 Dependents page for more information.
Your visa is not the same as your status. It’s okay if your visa expires while you’re in the U.S. As long as your DS-2019 is still valid, you’re good to stay in the U.S.! You only need a valid visa if you plan to travel and re-enter the U.S.
Extensions
Depending on your J-1 category, there’s a maximum amount of time you can stay in the U.S. as a J-1:
- Short-term Scholar: 6 months
- Professor and Research Scholar: 5 years
- Student Intern: 12 months or before your graduation date, whichever is earlier
If you’d like to extend the program dates on your DS-2019 (within the allowed maximum time), then your department/system member host should submit a request to ISSS at least 30 days before your DS-2019 expires.
Important: If you have applied for a 212(e) Waiver, you can no longer extend your DS-2019 after the Dept. of State issues a waiver recommendation and forwards it to USCIS. If your waiver application is eventually denied by USCIS, then you may apply for an extension of your DS-2019 as long as you have not reached the maximum time allowed for your J-1 category.
Rules for Remote Work
Per guidance from the U.S. Dept. of State, starting July 1, 2023 - J-1 Scholars, Professors, and Student Interns may work or participate in their J program remotely no more than 40% of the time (i.e. - two days out of five).
To work remotely, you must first talk to your host department to see if you're eligible to work remotely in accordance with U.S. Dept. of State guidance. After approval, the host department must email the following information to j1scholars@tamu.edu:
- J-1's full name
- J-1's UIN
- Exact range of time the J-1 will work remotely
- Full address of the remote location
Further information about the Dept. of State guidance can be found here
Change of J-1 Category
It may be possible to switch to another J-1 category without traveling outside the U.S., as long as the new category is consistent with your original objective. Visitors may do this so they have more time in the U.S. or so they can do other activities. For example:
- A J-1 Short-term Scholar is allowed to stay in the U.S. for a maximum of 6 months. A visitor may wish to switch to J-1 Research Scholar because their research activities will exceed the 6-month maximum. J-1 Research Scholars can be in the U.S. for up to 5 years.
ISSS only sponsors the following J-1 categories: Professor, Short-term Scholar, Research Scholar, Student, Student Intern.If you would like to change to one of these categories, notify ISSS. We will then submit a request to the U.S. Department of State on your behalf.
- This requires you to pay a fee to the Department of State.
- If the change is approved, then we will issue a new DS-2019 for you with the new category.
- If the change is denied, you can remain in your current J-1 category until the expiration of your DS-2019.
This process can be difficult and is not guaranteed. If you’re considering a change of category, come talk to ISSS to learn more about the process and your eligibility for the new category.
Your Rights as an Employee in the U.S.
All workers in the U.S. are given certain protections under state and federal laws. Click the links to learn more:
U.S. Department of StateU.S. Department of Labor
- Fair Labor Standards Act
- Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
- Child Labor Laws
- Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act (MSPA)