As a J program sponsor, The University of Florida is responsible for issuing DS-2019 forms to prospective exchange visitors. The DS-2019 form is one of the documents needed to obtain J status and a J visa. Prospective exchange visitors who reside abroad are required to obtain a visa from a U.S Embassy or Consulate General’s Office to request permission to enter the U.S. However, entry to the U.S. is not guaranteed, even if a visa is issued to the exchange visitor. The Department of State web site advises the public that, “Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States”.
Exchange visitors who reside abroad must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before the visa interview is conducted at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate General’s office to obtain the J-1 visa. See FAQs about the SEVIS Fee for additional information.
Exchange visitors who currently reside in the U.S. and change from another nonimmigrant status to J status must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before submitting an application Form I-539 (For an In Country Change of Status) to change status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. The Form I-539 must be filed before the expiration date of the exchange visitor’s current status.
The University of Florida has minimum funding requirements for all exchange visitors. Sufficient funding must be verified by a FSS staff member for the entire program activity period, before DS-2019 forms will be issued.
As a J program sponsor, the University of Florida is required to provide an orientation session to all UF J exchange visitors. The orientation information presentation should be viewed before the exchange visitor arrives in the United States.
After arriving in the U.S., all exchange visitors are required to check in with FSS immediately. Validation of the SEVIS record will only occur after check-in is completed. Check-in is conducted between the hours of 8AM and 5PM, Monday through Friday, if the exchange visitor has all required documents (including appropriate verification of insurance coverage requirements).
Documents required for check-in include:
- J-1 Visa
- Passport
- I-94 card (front and back)
- DS-2019 for J-1 and all accompanying J-2 dependents
- Completed Faculty/Scholar Registration Form (front and back) , and
- Proof of insurance coverage for exchange visitor and dependents that meets federal requirements as outlined in Insurance Information.
For exchange visitors who are not located on the main campus of UF, check-in is conducted via fax (352-392-6782). All required documents must be faxed to FSS immediately after arrival in the U.S.
Exchange visitors maintain their J-1 status by:
- Obtaining validation of the SEVIS record after check-in is completed (must check in immediately after arriving );
- Retaining required documentation at all times:
- Valid DS-2019
- Valid Passport
- I-94 card marked “D/S” – Duration of Status – refers to program period listed under item 3 on DS-2019;
- Engaging only in appropriate activities permitted under their program and category – specifically, the activity described in Section 4 on the DS2019. If the exchange visitor completes or ceases this activity, he/she should leave the U.S. within 30 days;
- Refraining from unauthorized employment (any employment activity that is not included in Part 4 on the DS-2019 must be approved in writing by FSS before the activity begins);
- Maintaining required health insurance coverage (bookmarked to Insurance section) for the entire program period specified on the Form DS-2019. Detailed information may be obtained at Insurance Information;
- Reporting a change of address to USCIS, UF and FSS within 10 days of a move date. An AR-11 form must be submitted to USCIS. Exchange visitors should also visit my.ufl.edu to update their UF directory profile. To update your address with FSS and SEVIS, the complete the Exchange Visitor Change of Address Form must be submitted by email; and
- Filing timely and appropriate transfers and extension requests with the appropriate administrative staff member in the hiring department/center
Program Regulation Compliance and Termination
Exchange visitors who fail to comply with the J-1 regulations are subject to termination from their J-1 program. Termination removes the exchange visitor from a valid nonimmigrant status and subjects the visitor to deportation regulations. Termination events can include:
- Failure to conduct the activities posted on the DS-2019;
- Violation of the regulations of the exchange visitor program and/or rules of the University of Florida;
- Willful failure to maintain the mandatory exchange visitor and dependent (if applicable) insurance coverage requirements, and;
- Engagement in unauthorized employment.
*Exchange visitors who are terminated are ineligible for an extension of stay or to file an in-country change of status.*
Professors or Research Scholars are permitted to work as described on the form DS-2019 and may accept additional employment as authorized by the sponsor in accordance with the regulations. Additional employment may be permitted if the activity is determined by the program’s Responsible Officer (RO) to be included in the exchange visitor’s program objective. The (RO) must grant work authorization before supplemental employment is started. Documents needed to obtain authorization from FSS include:
- Offer of employment letter from the secondary employer that provides detailed information about the new employment assignment; and
- Letter/Memo from current UF sponsor that grants permission to the J exchange visitor to participate in additional activities
Acquiring Social Security Numbers
J-1 Exchange visitors who will be paid by University of Florida(are receiving program sponsor funds, as indicated on the DS-2019) are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number. Exchange Visitors should wait at least 10 days after entering the U.S. before visiting the local SSA office.
Short-term exchange visitors who will earn income from UF and will reside in the U.S. for at least 15 days but not more than 24 days should not wait 10 days. They must submit an application to the Social Security Office immediately after arriving in the U.S. The Social Security Administration (SSA) will not issue a social security number to an individual who will not reside in the U.S. at least 14 days beyond the date that the application for a social security number is submitted to the SSA office.
Short Term exchange visitors who will earn income from UF and will not reside in the U.S. for at least 15 days are not permitted to apply for a social security number. An alternate procedure to report income earned in the U.S. will be undertaken by UF under these circumstances. FSS will provide information and instructions regarding this process after the exchange visitor arrives in the U.S.
Travel Abroad and Reentry to the U.S.
A DS-2019 travel signature issued by a Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (AR0) is required of exchange visitors who wish to travel outside of the U.S. Travel signatures can be obtained from FSS, during normal business hours. Proof of current health insurance is required before travel signatures are issued.
Guidelines for traveling abroad during J program:
- Travel to home country, with intent to return to the U.S. requires valid passport and travel signature on the DS-2019 form. If the J visa stamp is expired, the exchange visitor must obtain a new visa stamp before entry to the U.S. is granted.
- Travel to a country abroad, other than the visitor’s home country, requires a valid passport and a travel signature on DS-2019 form. Exchange visitors should also contact the Consulate General’s office or Embassy of the country that will be visited for entry requirements and procedures.
“Automatic Revalidation” – travel to Canada, the Caribbean (except Cuba and Bermuda), or Mexico ONLY
Visits to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean (except Cuba and Bermuda) for fewer than thirty days by non-immigrants may not require an exchange visitor to obtain a new visa stamp to return to the U.S. Citizens of certain countries are prohibited from utilizing this provision (see Department of State web site for details).
Qualifications for this provision include:
- Valid J-1 status
- Possession of an unexpired I-94 card (Must not be surrendered when departing from the U.S.)
- Possession of a current DS-2019 with valid travel signature
- Possession of a J-1 visa (expired or valid) in your passport that matches the immigration status posted on the current I-94 card
- Individuals who change from one non-immigrant status to another in the U.S. will possess a passport visa stamp which reflects the previous non-immigrant status. This visa stamp may be used to re-enter the U.S. if the visit is 30 days or less
- Possession of a passport valid for at least 6 months from the re-entry date to the U.S.
- If an application for a visa is submitted during the stay , the applicant must have the visa issued before re-entry to the U.S. will be permitted. If your visa application is denied, "automatic revalidation" will not be permitted and the individual will be required to return to his or her country of citizenship to apply for a new visa.
- Exchange visitors should contact the Consulate General’s office or Embassy for entry requirements and procedures.
Exchange visitors who end their program more than 30 days prior to the end date on the DS-2019 and will not return to the U.S. most notify the sponsoring department/center. It is then the department’s responsibility to submit the appropriate paperwork to FSS.
Extensions are obtained for exchange visitors through the sponsoring department/center. Proper paperwork must be submitted to FSS 30 days before the end date of the J program.
- A professor or research scholar can be sponsored by UF for a maximum period of five years. For example, if the initial program is scheduled for a one year period, extensions of the program may be requested from FSS that total a period of five years.
- A short-term scholar program is limited to 6 months in duration. Extensions are not granted beyond the 6 months maximum stay period.
Amendments to J Programs require submission of appropriate forms to FSS by the sponsoring department/center. Acceptable reasons for requesting an amendment include changes in the following J program characteristics:
- Funding
- Worksite Location
- Supervisor
- Department (change in activity is NOT permitted) – Department changes require prior FSS approval
- Addition of J-2 dependent(s)does not require the signature of a department administrator; only requested information and appropriate funding verification is required
Note: The required insurance coverage for J-1 exchange visitors (and all J-2 dependents, if applicable) must be valid for a minimum period of 30 days beyond the date that the request to amend the J program is submitted to FSS.
Exchange visitors may continue their program objective under the sponsorship of another authorized sponsor in the U.S. by transferring their SEVIS records to a new program sponsor.
Requirements for transfer of program include:
- Program sponsor is approved by Department of State (DOS) to sponsor the same J Exchange Visitor category;
- Program objective/activity remains unchanged;
- Period of program will not exceed maximum DOS established period; and,
- J Exchange Visitor checks in with new sponsor immediately following transfer date.
An exchange visitor who desires to transfer his or her program must consult with the current faculty sponsor and ask the department to:
- Complete appropriate Transfer In or Transfer Out form and include appropriate signatures
- Submit Transfer Out Form to FSS no later than 30 days before desired transfer date
- If transferring program to UF; Please submit Transfer In form to sponsoring department along with a copy of the current DS-2019.
There is no regulatory prohibition on a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar enrolling in classes as long as:
- the classes are incidental to his or her primary activity;
- the Professor or Research Scholar continues to pursue the objectives for which he or she came;
- the program continues to fulfill the objectives of the Professor or Research Scholar category; and,
- the classes do not become the primary objective.
Consultation with a Faculty and Scholar Services staff member and a UF International Student Advisor should be undertaken before pursuing a degree program. Visit http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/issstaff.htm for International Student Services contact information.