J-1 Requirements
Arrival to the U.S. | Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure) | Health Insurance | Change of Address | Maintain a Valid Passport
Arrival to the U.S.
The Exchange Visitor must arrive in the U.S. within the 30 day period prior to the start date indicated on the DS-2019. If the Scholar cannot arrive by that date, he or she should request an amended DS-2019 through his or her host department. To enter the United States the Exchange Visitor must carry the following documents in hand (and must not luggage-check any of the below material) and present them to the U.S. customs officer:
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your expected stay.
- J-1 (or J-2) visa stamp. (Canadian citizens are visa-exempt.)
- Original DS-2019.
- Receipt evidencing payment of the SEVIS fee.
- Documentation of the source and amount of your financial support.
- Original offer/invitation letter from host NC State academic department.
At the U.S. port of entry the Exchange Visitor will likely be asked questions related to his or her visit. The Exchange Visitor should clearly indicate that he or she is entering as a J-1 Exchange Visitor in order to visit NC State University. The Exchange Visitor will be issued a Form I-94 Arrival/Departure record which must be completed by the customs officer indicating a “J” status. More information about visas and arrival to the U.S. is available in the Getting Here section of this website.
Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record)
The Form I-94 indicates the visa classification and any endorsements made by the customs officer. The Form I-94 indicates the place and date of entry to the U.S. and the initial period of authorized stay.
Noted on the Form I-94 for J-1 Scholars and their dependents is "D/S", for duration of status. For a J-1 Scholar, D/S is used in place of a strictly-defined expiration date and it is intended to allow for the period during which the J-1 scholar engages in the activity described on the Form DS-2019, plus any possible DS-2019 extensions, plus a “grace period” of 30 days.
Maintain Health Insurance
Health and medical insurance is very expensive in the U.S. especially if you have accompanying family members. Depending on your visa type and position at NC State your health insurance options will vary. All J-1 Exchange Visitors and their accompanying family members are required at all times during their stay to have health insurance which meets certain federal requirements: $50,000 minimum per accident or illness; $500 maximum deductible per illness; $10,000 provision for medical evacuation; and $7,500 maximum for repatriation. If the Scholar will not be paid by NC State and does not purchase insurance prior to arriving in the U.S., the Scholar will need to purchase insurance in the U.S. If possible, the Exchange Visitor should assure adequate insurance prior to traveling to the U.S. OIS maintains a list of insurance companies that sell policies meeting the minimum requirements of the J-1 program.
Maintain a Valid Passport
The Exchange Visitor’s passport must be valid at all times during his or her stay. If the passport is lost or stolen, the Exchange Visitor must file a police report immediately. Not only will this assist with potentially recovering the missing material, it will protect the Exchange Visitor from liability and aid in replacing the lost documents; likely, the Scholar’s government will require a police report before a new passport is issued. While in the U.S., it is not generally suggested that the Exchange Visitor carry the original passport for day-to-day activities, but it is suggested that photocopies of visa-related material be carried. When traveling, even within the U.S., the Exchange Visitor should carry original documents but be very cautious to reduce the risk of loss or theft.
Change of Address
The Scholar must report his or her address (place of residence, not place of work) to OIS at the time of check-in with OIS. Any change of address must be reported to OIS within 10 days of the change. Failure to report a change in address may result in cancellation of the Exchange Visitor’s status. To update his or her address the Scholar should complete the Change of Address Form and submit it to the OIS; or alternatively, the Scholar can mail his or her personal and new address information to ois@ncsu.edu.