J-1 Procedures
Check-in | Work Authorization | Returning to U.S. | Departure upon Completion
Required Check-in with the Office of International Services
As soon as possible after arrival to the U.S. and in Raleigh, the Exchange Visitor must attend a new J-1 Scholar Check-in at OIS. The scholar should ask his or her department payroll representative or designated department contact to inform OIS that the scholar will attend one of the pre-scheduled Check-in sessions. Check-ins are currently scheduled to begin at 10:15 am on Mondays and Thursdays and will typically take 60-90 minutes. Scholars must bring with them their original DS-2019s, passports with visa and Form I-94, and local residential / non-departmental address (even if temporary).
Attending the OIS Check-in is mandatory before OIS can “validate” or activate the DS-2019 record. Scholar may begin his/her reserach activities before check-in at OIS and should follow the employment procedures in the hiring department. Failure to attend the Scholar Check-in within 30 days after the program start date indicated on the DS-2019 will result in an automatic termination of the scholar’s SEVIS record and J-1 status.
Work Only With Authorization
Employment is any work performed in exchange for money or any other benefit or compensation. Many Exchange Visitors to NC State are financially sponsored by their home institution or governments, and are initially not receiving any funding from a U.S. source. Circumstances on occasion change and scholars are sometimes offered some funding from their NC State host department, or an opportunity for incidental, short-term employment off-campus related their areas of research. Some forms of limited employment may be possible. Personnel Coordinators in the hiring department must submit an ammendment for any changes. Scholars must obtain written OIS authorization in advance of the employment. Exchange Visitors may only engage in activities and receive funding as indicated on the DS-2019. If the circumstances change, so too must the DS-2019.
Returning to the U.S. After a Temporary Absence
If the scholar travels outside of, and plans to reenter, the U.S. he or she will need to have the material indicated in the above section “Arrival to the U.S.” However, after the initial arrival the scholar will need to have a travel endorsement signature in the lower right of the DS-2019 which is no more than six months old for subsequent entries to the U.S. Travel endorsement signatures may only be provided by an OIS advisor but are valid for unlimited reentries to the U.S. during a six month period. If the J-1 visa has expired, the Exchange Visitor will need to apply for a new visa** at a U.S. consulate abroad.
**Travel to Canada and Mexico
Under a benefit called Automatic Visa Revalidation J-1 scholars from most countries may return to the U.S. after short trips of 30 days or less to -- and exclusively to -- Canada, Mexico and other contiguous island nations (except Cuba). Exchange Visitors will need all other materials indicated under the above section “Arrival to the U.S” – including a DS-2019 bearing a valid travel validation signature from an OIS advisor. Currently, Automatic Visa Revalidation is not extended following travel to Cuba, or to citizens of Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Sudan, or Syria. When traveling under the benefit of Automatic Visa Revalidation the Exchange Visitor should, if possible, not hand over the I-94 card to airline personnel or other-national customs officials. The original I-94 card is proof of original entry and will be used for the Revalidation process. Additionally, the Exchange Visitor must be very mindful that the benefit of Automatic Visa Revalidation only impacts the eligibility for return to the U.S. and is absolutely independent of any visa requirements which are imposed by Canada, Mexico, or other contiguous countries. Well prior to travel, the Exchange Visitor should check with the consular posts of the countries to which he or she plans to travel to inquire about visa requirements.
Depart the U.S. Within 30 Days After Program Completion
The duration of the Exchange Visitor’s program is stated in item 3 of the DS-2019 form. The University may extend the program to the limit allowed by law. To request an extension, the scholar must contact his or her sponsoring department. Immigration allows a 30-day "grace period" beyond the program completion date to settle affairs and return home. Continuation of research and re-entry to the U.S. in J status is not permitted during the grace period. Scholars who complete their program in more than 30 days before the program end date in Item 3 must notify OIS through the OIS HelpDesk.