Scholar Visa Specifics
           J-1 | F-1 Student (OPT) | J-1 Student (Academic Training) | J-2

Please note that there are different nonimmigrant visa types for visitors to the US – each with its own eligibility requirements, restrictions, and procedures. Immigration regulations, forms, and fees are also subject to frequent change. Please consult an OIS advisor or a Human Resources International Employment Specialist for the latest information. The information on this page is for general knowledge only and is not to be construed as immigration advice.

OIS helps individuals and hiring units at NC State University with international student issues as well as with J-1 Exchange Visitors (Research Scholars and Professors) and international students in the US who engage in F-1 Optional Practical Training, J-1 Academic Training, and J-2 Employment for those who have or need an Employment Authorization Document. For international employment advice and processing of H-1B, TN, O-1, B-1/B-2, and permanent residence visas (or other visa types that use an Employment Authorization Document), please consult with the International Services unit in Human Resources. Contact information is available at: http://www.fis.ncsu.edu/hr/intemployment/

J-1 Exchange Visitor
J-1 Exchange Visitors are invited to NC State to conduct research or teach a specific subject. The purpose of the exchange program is to promote understanding between people of the US and individuals from other sponsoring countries. OIS may only issue an DS-2019 for J-1 visa purposes if the NC State department has submitted a completed and signed DS-2019 request to OIS. The J-1 Exchange Visitor must meet all minimum eligibility requirements.


Maintaining Status

• Maintain a valid DS-2019 and passport at all times.
• Engage only in those activities indicated on Box Number 4 on the DS-2019. Your DS-2019 is only valid for the sponsor indicated in Box 2 of the DS-2019. Do not undertake employment, whether paid or unpaid, at another university, institution, or a different NC State department without first consulting OIS. If the NC State department you are affiliated with wishes to pay you and your DS-2019 does not reflect this funding, the NC State department must submit a new DS-2019 request to OIS indicating the amount and duration of payment.
• Notify OIS of any address change, change of nonimmigrant status (please send copy of I-797 approval and/or I-94 to OIS), or appointment (site of activities, duties, pay, active status, FTE, etc.,)
• Keep your I-94 card (arrival/departure record) in your passport or other secure place. Your I-94 card is a record of the date you entered the US in J-1 visa status. Make sure it indicates J-1 visa status and "D/S" for Duration of Status. If your I-94 card, or those of your family members, indicate a specific end date, please consult an advisor at OIS.
• Purchase health/medical insurance for yourself and all J-2 family members which meet the minimum requirements as required by the federal regulations governing the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program:

            $50,000 minimum per accident or illness
            $500 maximum deductible per illness
            $10,000 provision for medical evacuation
            $7,500 maximum for repatriation coverage

OIS has information and brochures on insurance companies offering insurance which meets the minimum requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors. Post Docs employed by NC State are eligible for a separate group health insurance plan. Post Docs will need to secure separate insurance coverage for accompanying family members.

You are allowed a three year maximum stay as a J-1 Research Scholar or Professor as long as the NC State department agrees to sponsor you and you have completed timely extensions of your DS-2019. J-1 Short Term scholars are allowed a maximum stay of 6 months.

Extension of Stay
A memo is sent to your sponsoring department approximately 3 months prior to the end date indicated on your DS-2019. If the department wishes to extend your stay it needs to complete a "Request for Issuance of Form DS-2019 " and return it, along with proof of funding, to OIS. Our office will prepare the DS-2019 for extension purposes and notify you when you can complete the extension and receive your pink copy of the extended DS-2019. Please be aware that all extensions must be completed prior to the end date on the DS-2019. OIS may not extend an DS-2019 beyond 3 years for Research Scholars and Professors or beyond 6 months for Short Term Scholars. If you will not be extending your stay, you have a 30 day grace period to leave the US. You are technically not affiliated with NC State during this period and thus you cannot receive any payment or reimbursement.

Travel
If you intend to travel outside the US and plan to re-enter to continue your J-1 program, you will need to have a valid passport, valid visa stamp in your passport which extends to the date you wish to re-enter, and the pink copy of your DS-2019 signed on the back by an advisor at OIS. If your visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new J-1 visa at a US Consulate or Embassy abroad. To obtain a new visa, you will need to have a valid passport, an original DS-2019 endorsed on the back by an OIS advisor, offer letter, SEVIS fee receipt (see USCIS website for exceptions and procedures), and proof of funding.

Travel to Canada and Mexico
J-1 scholars from most countries do not need a valid visa to re-enter the US if you travel to Canada (or other contiguous territories of the US) for less than 30 days (Citizens from many Mid-East countries or on the Department of State posts in the Federal Register are NOT eligible to use the Automatic Revalidation and/or Contiguous Territory rules.) You will need a valid DS-2019 signed on the back by an OIS advisor, a valid passport, and your I-94 card. When entering Canada for a trip which will be for less 30 days, you should not hand over your I-94 card to airline personnel or Canadian officials. You will need the I-94 card when re-entering the US. This rule only applies when traveling to Canada or other contiguous territories for 30 days or less. The Canadian government requires that citizens from certain countries require a visa to enter Canada. Please consult with the Canadian Embassy to see if you need a visa to enter Canada. If anyone travels to Canada, Mexico, to a contiguous territory using the automatic revalidation process, applies for a US visa while abroad and is denied a visa, is no longer eligible to return to the US, but must return to the home country and apply for a new J-1 visa there.

Two Year Home Residency Requirement (HRR)
J-1 visitors who are financed by either the US government or the government of their home country of residence, or who have special skills which are needed in their home country of residence, are not eligible for Permanent Residence or H-1B visa status until they have returned to their home country and have lived there for two years after their stay in the US as a J-1 Exchange Visitor. It is not possible for someone who is subject to HRR to change to any other status while remaining in the US. A waiver application, if desired, is the responsibility of the J-1 scholar. OIS is not able to assist in the waiver application process. No DS-2019 extensions or transfers can be granted to J-1 Exchange Visitors if a waiver of the HRR has been recommended by the US Department of State.

Twelve Month Bar
Individuals who have been in J-1 or J-2 visa status within the previous 12 months, for more than 6 months, are ineligible to begin a new program in J-1 status in either the "Professor" or "Research Scholar" categories until they have been physically absent from the US for a minimum of 12 consecutive months.

F-1 Practical Training
A benefit of F-1 student visa status is one year of studies related work experience authorized by USCIS for a temporary position in the US. Often, students use this year of practical training following graduation from their degree program. The student applies for an Employment Authorization Document card with the assistance of the Designated School Official. F-1 Practical Training cannot be extended beyond 12 months. Most often, this year of practical training is used as a bridge of employment while the employer petitions for H-1B visa status. F-1 students who wish to work at NC State under the Optional Practical Training provisions, have a job offer in their field of study, and have received their EAD must make an appointment to see an OIS advisor. Students must bring to an appointment the following: letter of offer from the NC State Department, a valid EAD, passport, I-94, and most recent I-20. OIS will prepare a NIVE Employment Verification form which the payroll representative will use to place your appointment on the personnel system.

J-1 Academic Training (AT):
Academic training is employment for a student in J-1 status and in the student’s field of study. The employment must be directly related to student’s academic program and recommended by his/her academic adviser. A student is eligible for a maximum of 18 months of academic training either prior to or after completion of studies or a combination of both. The J-1 program sponsor authorizes J-1 academic training. Those not sponsored by NC State should contact their program sponsor. J-1 students whose Program Sponsor is NC State must obtain written approval in advance and in writing from OIS before engaging in any employment. J-1 students (or recent graduates) who are from another school or program sponsor should make an appointment with OIS for completion of a NIVE Employment Verification form. For more information regarding eligibility requirements and application procedures please consult with an OIS adviser.

J-2 Status with an EAD
J-2 visa holders are the spouses (or children under 21) of students or scholars who are in J-1visa status. J-2 visa holders are eligible to apply to USCIS for work authorization and may be employed once they have received an EAD card. They are not limited as to where they may work, but their visa status and work authorization is contingent upon the J-1 visa holder maintaining his/her visa status. If you will be working at NC State, please make an appointment to see an OIS advisor. Bring your Employment Authorization Document (EAD), a copy of your DS-2019, I-94, and the letter of offer from the NC State Department with you. OIS will prepare a NIVE Employment Verification form which the payroll representative will use to place your appointment on the personnel system.