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International Services and Engagement Office ISEO
  1. ISEO
  2. Scholar Services
  3. J-1 Scholars
  4. Maintaining J-1 Status

Maintaining Your J-1 Status

The International Services and Engagement Office (ISEO) is here to provide you with immigration advising for maintaining your legal status, as well as providing programs and advising that will help you not only adjust to living in the U.S. but to engage in rewarding experiences to remember for a lifetime. If you have any questions, feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our ISEO scholar advisors. We hope that your visit will prove rewarding, both professionally and personally.

Maintaining one’s immigration status is the main responsibility of the nonimmigrant – you! In general, a nonimmigrant must maintain the following documents:

  • Valid passport
  • Electronic or paper Form I-94
  • Entry stamp, if issued at entry
  • All DS-2019's issued to you

General Responsibilities for Maintaining J-1 Status

Change of Address

All international Faculty and Scholars must notify ISEO of address changes within 10 days of the information changing, per immigration regulations. 

Submit the J-1 Scholar Address and Contact Information Update in iServices: 

  • Find the J-1 Scholar Services category in the left menu.
    • Select J-1 Scholar Address and Contact Information Update
  • You will be notified via email when your request is complete and your record is Active in SEVIS.

Contact your department to ensure your contact information is updated on the UC San Diego systems (e.g. UC Path)

212e Waivers

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to spend two years in the aggregate in their home residence country after their J program (time spent in other countries does NOT count). If you are subject to this requirement, you cannot apply for H, L, or permanent residence status unless you either return to your home country for two years or obtain a waiver of the requirement.

You also cannot change to another non-immigrant status while in the United States, except to A status (diplomatic or government official) or G status (international organization). You may apply for a different nonimmigrant visa (except H or L) at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S.

Contact your ISEO advisor before applying for the waiver to discuss timing, as once you receive the waiver you cannot extend your current J program.

Bars and Restrictions

J-1 Exchange Visitors can be subject to a 12-or 24-month bar restricting repeat participation in J program.

Note: the 24-month bar is different than the 212e two year home residency requirement that some scholars may be subject to. 

Employment and Job Changes

Please Note:

All changes in site of activity, funding amounts or sources, and/or significant changes in job duties, must be reported to ISEO . Your department administrator will need to submit an update request via iServices on your behalf, so please speak to your departmental contact first.

Employment:
You are authorized to stay in the U.S. to pursue full-time the program activity outlined on your DS-2019 at the site of activity(ies) requested by your sponsoring department (sites of activity do not display on the DS-2019). You may not work anywhere else without prior approval from ISEO. If you stop pursuing your program activity, your status ends as well.

Job Changes:
If there are proposed changes in your program activity, your funding sources, your site of activity, your department or institution, or your job title, your department must report them to ISEO. An amended DS-2019 may be required.

Health Insurance

J-1 exchange visitors are required to maintain health insurance coverage that meets U.S. Department of State requirements (listed on page two of the DS-2019) for themselves and any J-2 dependents for the duration of their program. Minimum levels of health insurance for catastrophic coverage is a condition of participation in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

Any J-1 scholar who willfully refuses to comply with this requirement shall be considered to be in violation of their J-1 exchange visitor status, and the program sponsor (UC San Diego) will be obligated to terminate their program in SEVIS.

See information on J-1 Health Insurance Requirements.

Occasional Lectures and Consultations

Scholars may receive payment for occasional lectures or short-term consultations at another institution or company if specific requirements are met. Scholars must submit the J-1 Scholar Occasional Lecture or Consultation for approval in iServices.

Study

A J-1 may enroll in classes as long as they are incidental to your full-time program activity and do not delay your program completion.

Taxes and Your Glacier/UCPath Information

J-1s scholars are not required to pay FICA ("payroll") taxes for their first two calendar years (any portion thereof), and may receive tax treaty benefits exempting them from income tax. All J-1 scholars are required to file tax forms on a yearly basis, however, regardless of tax liability status. If you are extending or changing your nonimmigrant status you must update your Glacier and UCPath information so the institution can properly apply tax treaty benefits and withholding from your paycheck. 

Adding J-2 Dependent

Typically, J-2 DS-2019's are issued at the same time as a J-1 request.

If your family will be joining you after your J-1 DS-2019 has already been issued. You may submit a request for ISEO to issue the J-2 DS-2019 via iServices.

Travel

Please read through ISEO's Travel Webpage for information regarding documents required for travel and additional travel considerations.  

An Out of Country Notification is required if your travel is for over 60 days.