Maintaining J-1 Student Status

Your eligibility to pursue your academic program as well as opportunities for employment, school transfers, and program changes depend on maintaining lawful status.

Report your initial arrival at ²ÊÃñ±¦µä
  • Submit the Immigration Check-In and Insurance Compliance e-forms.
Maintain comprehensive medical insurance including evacuation and repatriation coverage that meets government minimum requirements
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Maintain full-time enrollment every fall and spring semester
Report new addresses within 10 days of every move so your SEVIS record can be updated
  • Active Students: Update your address in
  • Students on Academic Training: Email ISSS
Ìý Do not work without authorization or beyond allowable employment limits
  • Abide by on-campus employment regulations and limitations
  • Obtain prior authorization for on-campus employment and academic training and comply with related reporting rules
Ìý Pursue the program objective documented on your DS-2019
Keep your DS-2019 up-to-date
  • Report all changes of biographical, program, and financial support information to ISSS
  • Follow proper procedures for extending your DS-2019, changing educational levels, and transferring schools
Ìý Maintain required immigration documents including a valid passport and I-94 throughout your stay in the U.S.
Ìý Travel with required documents for re-entry to the U.S. in student status
Abide by J-1 grace period rules
  • J-1 students have a 30-day grace period at the end of their J-1 program
  • During the grace period, you cannot take part in any studies or employment opportunities and also cannot exit and re-enter the U.S. as a J-1 student
Ìý Comply with U.S. tax filing requirements