The United States welcomes international students and exchange visitors who come to study in our country. While you're enjoying your time in the U.S., it is very important that you understand and comply with the requirements governing your stay to ensure that you don't jeopardize your immigration status.
If your sponsoring institution is not The New School and your Responsible Officer does not work at New School International Student Services (ISS), you should still check in with us. The Responsible Officer here works closely with other Responsible Officers to make sure you get the information and services you need.
You must follow the rules below to remain in compliance with J-1 regulations:
Check In. You must provide your Responsible Officer with your contact information in the United States (your address, telephone, etc.). When you check in, your Responsible Officer will collect some information that will help us provide better advice and services to you while you are in J-1 status. ISS will also review your immigration documents for any mistakes that might have been made when these were processed at the port of entry. You should check in with ISS again anytime your contact information changes or you re-enter the U.S.
Report Changes of Address Within 10 days of each move to your Responsible Officer.
Attend Orientation.
U.S. Department of State regulations require J-1 Exchange Visitors to:
- Learn the names of their Responsible Officers.
- Learn about their rights and responsibilities while in J-1 Exchange Visitor status.
At orientation, you will also get other information you need to make the most of your exchange visit.
Keep Up-to-date on Department of State (DOS) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Regulations: After attending orientation, not only must you follow U.S. regulations, but you also must keep yourself informed of any changes to the regulations. By checking in with ISS, you enable us to keep you informed about any important changes.
U.S. government regulations set minimum requirements for health insurance for J-1 professors and scholars. The New School's employee health insurance plan does NOT meet these minimum requirements. As an employee, you are not eligible to enroll in The New School student health plan. Contact International Student Services for information about private health insurance companies that will provide full insurance or supplemental insurance plans that meet the minimum requirements.
Get a Travel Signature Before Re-entering the U.S. If you plan to leave and re-enter the U.S. during your exchange visit, your Responsible Officer must sign your DS-2019. A travel signature is valid for one academic year or nine months. You must also have a valid passport and J-1 visa to re-enter the U.S. If your visa has expired or will expire before your planned date of return, you must get a new one while outside of the U.S. When preparing to leave, take your valid passport with the I-94 card (you will return this just before just exiting the U.S., at the airport if you are flying out), as well as your DS-2019 and any other supporting documents.
Never accept unauthorized employment in the United States.
See below for the types of employment that are possible while in J–1 Exchange Visitor status in the Professor, Scholar, or Short-Term Scholar category. Always remember that you cannot work—not even on campus; you cannot even accept an honorarium for a one-hour lecture—without advance written authorization from your Responsible Officer.
In all types of employment (except employment of J-2 dependent), you must submit the following to obtain work authorization:
- A letter from your prospective employer describing the work to be done, the hours you will work, and the amount of compensation you will receive
- The written recommendation of your academic advisor
- Approval is limited to a specific job with a specific employer. If you wish to change jobs or employers, the application process for work authorization must be completed again.
In all cases, you may not begin working until you receive your authorization letter from your Responsible Officer. You will also need a Social Security Number (ask ISS for more information). Furthermore, you will need to keep your Responsible Officer informed of all changes in your job, job description, pay, location, and phone number.
Employment of J-2 Dependent. Upon entry to the U.S., a J-2 dependent (spouse of any age or child under 21 years of age) may apply to the U.S. government for employment authorization. To qualify, you must express in writing that:
- You possess sufficient funds to cover your own living costs as the J-1 Exchange Visitor;
- The purpose for seeking employment authorization for the J-2 dependent is not to financially support the J-1 Exchange Visitor;
- The employment is to further cultural and educational exchange and for the enrichment of the J-2 dependent.
Please notify ISS immediately if there is a change of program or a new end date that is not reflected on your DS-2019. You must depart the U.S. within 30 days of the end date of your J-1 program as indicated on the DS-2019.
Comply with the two-year Home Residency Requirement. Also known as “212(e),” this requires some individuals who enter the U.S. to return to their home countries for at least two years before they can qualify for the following types of visas: H, L, or any immigrant visa. However, even with 212(e) in effect, an individual may still apply for B Tourist and Business visitor visas, F Student visas, and J Exchange Visitor visas. The two-year home residency requirement will be noted on the bottom left-hand corner of the Exchange Visitor’s DS-2019 upon entry to the U.S. All Exchange Visitors who are sponsored by their home government or the U.S. government and those who have skills that are listed as highly valued in their home country are subject to this requirement.
You may seek employment within the three specified types of employment permitted to J–1 Professors, Scholars, and Short-Term Scholars, or the one type available to your J-2 dependent(s). However, J-1 employment authorization is at the discretion of your Responsible Officer. If your Responsible Officer is not an employee of The New School, you will need to learn your sponsoring organization's policies regarding work authorization before seeking permitted employment.
J-1 COMPLIANCE UNIT AND EMAIL ADDRESS
Mailing Address:
U.S. Department of State
Office of Designation
Compliance Unit
ECA/EC/ECC - SA-5, Floor C2
2200 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20522-0505
Street Address for courier deliveries:
U.S. Department of State
Office of Designation
Compliance Unit
ECA/EC/ECC - SA-5, Floor C2
2200 C Street, NW
Washington, DC 20037
Fax: 202.632.2900
Website : http://j1visa.state.gov/
Email: jvisas@state.gov
