J-1 Scholars & Student Interns

Step One - Find an MSU Host Department:

Contact the department that best matches your academic background and research interests. OISS can only issue immigration documents after an MSU department agrees to host you.

Step Two - Host Department Submits a DS-2019 Request:

Once a department agrees to host you, the department will submit a request to OISS on your behalf. Allow at least eight weeks between the request submission and your planned arrival.

If you have questions about a pending DS-2019 request, contact your MSU host department directly.

Step Three - Receive your Form DS-2019:

After OISS receives a complete request from your MSU host department, we will review your application and issue your Form DS-2019. Processing typically takes 10–15 business days. Your Form DS-2019 will be sent to the email listed for you in the request.

After you receive your Form DS-2019:

• Review your document carefully and make sure all information is correct.
• Download and print.
• Sign and date.
• Keep copies of all immigration documents for your records.

If you notice any incorrect information on your immigration document, email jvisas@msu.edu

Step Four - Pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee:

All J-1 scholars and student interns must pay the one-time Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee before applying for a U.S. student visa.

This fee supports the costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Once you receive your Form DS-2019, you can pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

After you pay the fee:

• Print your receipt.
• Store your receipt with your other immigration documents.

You may be asked to present your receipt during your visa interview and/or when entering the U.S.

Step Five - Apply for a J-1 Visa Stamp:

Most J-1 scholars and student interns are required to obtain a J-1 visa before traveling to the U.S. A U.S. visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request permission to enter the U.S.

• Canadian citizens do not require a U.S. visa to enter the U.S., but they do require a valid Form DS-2019.

Note: A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers make the final decision at the port of entry.

You must apply for your visa outside of the U.S. at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

• You cannot apply for a visa from inside the U.S.
• You must apply for a visa in your country of citizenship or country of residence.
• Visa application procedures and requirements vary by location.

We recommend applying as soon as possible after receiving your immigration document. Visa appointment availability varies by location.

If you already have a valid J-1 visa stamp in your passport, you may be able to use that visa to enter the U.S. You are encouraged to contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply to confirm whether your existing visa may be used.

Visa Denials:

If your visa application is denied, you will usually receive a letter explaining the specific reason for the refusal. Although visa denials cannot be appealed, you may reapply if your circumstances have changed. Here is a list of common visa denial reasons.

Step One - Find an MSU Host Department:

Contact the department that best matches your academic background and research interests. OISS can only issue immigration documents after an MSU department agrees to host you.

Step Two - Host Department Submits a DS-2019 Request:

Once a department agrees to host you, the department will submit a request to OISS on your behalf. Allow at least eight weeks between the request submission and your planned arrival.

If you have questions about a pending DS-2019 request, contact your MSU host department directly.

Step Three - Transfer your SEVIS Record to MSU:

Eligibility:

• Maintaining valid J-1 status.
• You have a valid Form DS-2019.
• The purpose of the transfer is to continue the same program objective.
• The transfer is within the same J-1 visa category.

How to Transfer:

Discuss your intent to transfer and your proposed SEVIS release date with your current J-1 sponsor.

• The release date is the date MSU will assume control of your SEVIS record.
• The release date must be before the DS-2019 expiration date.

Work with your MSU host department to submit the required documents:

• Complete the J-1 Scholar Transfer-in form.
• Your MSU host department must upload your Transfer-in form as part of your J-1 Scholar request to OISS.

OISS will review your request within 10– 15 business days. Once approved, OISS will notify you and your MSU host department by email and provide you with further instructions.

OISS will issue your MSU Form DS-2019 after your SEVIS release date.

Important Transfer Notes:

• A transfer does not restart the maximum time allowed in your J-1 category.
• J-1 research scholars and professors remain subject to the 5-year maximum program limit.
• J-1 short-term scholars are limited to a maximum of 6 months.

All J-1 scholars and student interns must complete the International Scholar Immigration Check-in eForm in MyOISS. Instructions will be sent to you by email.

• Immigration check-in can only be completed after you have arrived in the U.S.
• Check-in is required to activate your J-1 record in SEVIS.
• Immigration check-in is not required for J-2 dependents.

After you submit your check-in, OISS will review your information and contact you if any additional information is needed.

Failure to complete immigration check-in may result in termination of your immigration status.

Welcome Reception:

A welcome reception is held every Friday at 3:30 p.m. in 105 International Center for newly arrived scholars and interns.

Enroll in Required Health Insurance:

U.S. Department of State regulations require all J-1 scholars, student interns and J-2 dependents to maintain health insurance that meets specific federal minimum coverage requirements for the duration of their J-1 program.

MSU also requires all J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents to enroll in an approved MSU health insurance plan.

You must provide proof of enrollment in a qualifying health insurance plan within 30 days of completing immigration check-in.

Visit the OISS Health & Wellness page for more information.

As a J-1 scholar or student intern, you are responsible for maintaining your immigration status throughout your program.

To maintain your status, you must:

• Keep your immigration documents valid
• Report changes to your address and contact information
• Participate in your exchange program as approved including a minimum of 60% in-person participation each week
• Notify OISS before making changes to your program or spending more than 30 days outside of the U.S.

Immigration Documents:

Form DS-2019:

• The Form DS-2019 is a U.S. Department of State document issued by colleges and universities in the U.S.
• The Form DS-2019 confirms that you are participating in an approved exchange visitor (J-1) program and have sufficient financial resources to live and study in the U.S.
• Keep copies of all Forms DS-2019 ever issued to you by OISS.
• Always maintain a valid and accurate DS-2019, including your program category, program dates, funding information, host department and biographical information.

Passport:

• When entering the U.S., your passport must be valid for at least six months into the future from your date of entry.
• Your passport must always be valid while you are in the U.S.
• An expired passport is a violation of your J-1 status.
• It is your responsibility to renew your passport before it expires.
• To renew your passport, contact your country’s embassy or consulate.

J-1 Visa Stamp:

Your J-1 visa stamp is a travel document used to request entry to the U.S.

Your visa may expire while you are in the U.S.

Your visa must be valid to re-enter the U.S. after travel abroad

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record:

After each entry into the U.S., you should download your I-94 Arrival/Departure Record.

Confirm it shows:

• Class of Admission: J-1
• Admit Until Date: D/S (Duration of Status)

If it contains any errors, email jvisas@msu.edu

It is recommended that you print a copy of your I-94 and always carry it with you.

Update Your Contact Information:

You must report any change to your U.S. address or phone number within 10 days of the change.

To report a U.S. address change, submit the Address Update eForm in MyOISS.

To report a phone number change, email jvisas@msu.edu

Participate in Your Exchange Program:

J-1 scholars and student interns must actively participate in the program described on their Form DS-2019.

This includes:

• Continuing to pursue your approved program objectives.
• Engaging in your program activities for at least 20 hours per week.
• Completing at least 60% of your program activities in-person (e.g. three days per week).

Contact jvisas@msu.edu before making significant changes to your program activities.

Time Outside of the U.S.:

Your host department may approve short personal international travel outside of the U.S. during your J-1 program.

• Each trip should not exceed 30 days.
• Your program objectives must resume upon return to the U.S.

Out-of-Country Program Participation:

If you will be outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days but will continue participating in your J-1 program remotely from abroad, OISS must authorize your out-of-country request in SEVIS to keep your J-1 record active during your time abroad.

Submit the Out-of-Country Request eForm in MyOISS.

Ending Your Program and Departing the U.S.:

If you will be outside of the U.S. for more than 30 days and will not continue your J-1 program activities, your J-1 status will end on the date you leave the U.S.

Submit the Notice of Departure eForm in MyOISS.

Travel requirements depend on your immigration status and individual circumstances. Contact OISS to discuss your specific travel plans, particularly international travel.

Travel Outside the U.S.

When returning to the U.S., carry the following documents:

Required Documents

• A passport that is valid for at least six months beyond your date of re-entry
• Valid Form DS-2019 with a valid travel signature/endorsement issued within the past 12 months
• Valid J-1 visa

Canadian citizens do not need a J-1 visa to enter the U.S.

If your visa has expired, you must renew it at a U.S. embassy or consulate before returning to the U.S.

Recommended Documents:

• Current MSU invitation or appointment letter
• Current funding documentation that matches your Form DS-2019

Travel Signature or Endorsement

A travel signature or endorsement confirms that you are maintaining your immigration status. You need a valid travel signature to return to the U.S. after international travel.

You do not need a travel signature to leave the U.S.

An OISS advisor signs your Form DS-2019. Travel signatures are valid for 12 months or until the DS-2019 end date, whichever comes first.

Submit the Travel Signature eForm in MyOISS.

Allow three to five business days for processing.

If you have J-2 dependents, they will receive updated travel signatures when you request yours.

Travel to Other Countries (Including Canada & Mexico):

Travel requirements vary by country. It is your responsibility to understand the entry requirements for every country you plan to visit.

You may need a visa or other travel document issued by the country you are visiting.

OISS cannot advise on visa requirements or application procedures for countries outside the U.S.

Travel within the U.S.:

When traveling within the U.S., carry:

• Valid passport
• Valid Form DS-2019
• Most recent Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

You do not need:

• Valid visa
• Valid travel signature

Travel within the U.S. includes travel to Hawaii, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Automatic Visa Revalidation:

Automatic Visa Revalidation allows certain J-1 exchange visitors with an expired U.S. visa to re-enter the U.S. after a trip of 30 days or less to Canada, Mexico, or certain adjacent islands.

Automatic Visa Revalidation does not require you to apply for a new U.S. visa

You may be eligible if you:

• Are maintaining valid J-1 status
• Travel only to Canada, Mexico, or eligible adjacent islands
• Remain outside the U.S. for 30 days or less
• Meet all other Automatic Visa Revalidation requirements

Review the official guidance from the U.S. Department of State.

Report Changes to Your Program or DS-2019:

Your Form DS-2019 and SEVIS record must always reflect your current program information.

Notify OISS as soon as possible if there are any changes to your:

• Name or other biographical information
• Country of citizenship
• Funding (source or amount)
• Primary or secondary site of activity
• Host department or department contact
• J-2 dependent information

Complete the J-1 DS-2019 Update Notification Request

If you plan to end your program early or leave MSU before your program end date, submit the Notice of Departure eForm in MyOISS.

If your department decides to end your program, your host department should send a letter to jvisas@msu.edu

Program Extensions:

If you need additional time to complete your program objectives, you may be eligible for a program extension

Eligibility Requirements:

• Your MSU host department supports the extension
• You wish to continue the program
• Your program objectives will remain the same or closely related
• Adequate funding is available for the extension period
• You have not reached the maximum time allowed for your J-1 category

Maximum Program Length:

• Research Scholar or Professor: up to five years
• Short-Term Scholar: up to six months
• Student Intern: up to 12 months

How To Request an Extension:

• Host departments for research scholars, professors, or short-term scholars must submit the J-1 Scholar Extension for Departments eForm in MyOISS.
• Scholars must submit the J-1 Scholar Extension for Scholars eForm in MyOISS after the host department submits an extension request.

Student interns must submit:

• J-1 Student Intern Request for Program Extension
• Updated J-1 Student Intern DS-7002 Training/Internship Plan

Transfer Your SEVIS Record to Another School:

If you will continue your J-1 program at another U.S. institution, you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record.

Eligibility:

• You are maintaining valid J-1 status
• You have a valid Form DS-2019 with an end date in the future
• You have been offered a position at another institution within the same J-1 category and program objective

How to Request a SEVIS Transfer:

Email the following documents to jvisas@msu.edu:

• Invitation letter from your new institution
• MSU J-1 Transfer Out Form
• Transfer-in form from the new institution, if applicable

OISS will review your request within 10–15 business days and, if approved, transfer your SEVIS record to the new institution on your requested SEVIS release date

On the SEVIS release date:

• MSU will no longer have access to your SEVIS record
• Your new institution becomes responsible for your SEVIS record
• Your program activities at MSU must end
• Your new institution will issue your new Form DS-2019.

Grace Period and Departure:

After completing your J-1 program, you have a 30-day grace period to prepare for your departure from the U.S.

During your grace period, you may:

• Remain in the U.S.
• Travel within the U.S.
• Prepare to depart the U.S.

During your grace period, you may not:

• Work or participate in J-1 program activities
• Depart and re-enter the U.S. in J-1 status using the same Form DS-2019

If you depart the U.S. during your grace period, you cannot re-enter in your current J-1 status. You need to obtain a new, eligible immigration status to re-renter the U.S.

Before you leave the U.S., submit the Notice of Departure eForm in MyOISS.

If a J-2 dependent leaves the U.S. permanently before the J-1 exchange visitor, submit the Notice of Departure for J-2 Dependents.

Two-Year Home Residency Requirement:

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors may be subject to the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement, also known as Section 212(e) or Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement.

If you are subject to this requirement, you must spend a total of two years physically present in your home country after completing your J-1 program before you become eligible for certain U.S. immigration benefits such as H-1B, L-1, or U.S. permanent residence (Green Card).

You may be eligible to apply for a waiver of the requirement
OISS can provide general information about the 212(e) requirement but cannot assist with waiver applications or determine your eligibility for a waiver

Please consult a J-1 advisor before applying for a waiver to understand how it could affect your J-1 status

Learn more about the 212(e) Two-Year Home Residency Requirement.

Learn more about the 212(e) waiver process.

If you are recommended for a 212(e) waiver by the U.S. Department of State, send a copy of the Approval Notice to jvisas@msu.edu.

12-Month and 24-Month Bars:

The 12-month and 24-month bars limit repeat participation in the J-1 Research Scholar and Professor categories.

These bars are not the same as the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement (212(e)) and cannot be waived.

12-Month Bar:

The 12-month bar prevents an individual from starting a new J-1 Research Scholar or Professor program if they were in any J status (including J-2) for more than 6 months during the 12 months immediately before the new program start date.

If you are in either the J-1 Student Intern, J-1 Degree-Seeking Student, or J-1 Non-Degree Student category for more than 6 months, you must wait 12 months before beginning a J-1 program in either the Research Scholar or Professor category.

24-Month Bar:

The 24-month bar applies to individuals who complete or end a J-1 program in the Research Scholar or Professor category.

If you are subject to this bar, you must wait 24 months before beginning another J-1 Research Scholar or Professor program.

Your spouse and unmarried children under age 21 may be eligible for J-2 dependent status

J-2 status depends on the J-1 exchange visitor maintaining valid status

If the J-1 exchange visitor’s status ends, the J-2 dependent’s status also ends

Requesting a J-2 Form DS-2019:

To request a J-2 Form DS-2019 for your spouse or child:

Submit the J-2 Form DS-2019 Request eForm (Adding Dependents) in MyOISS [link]

Upload the required supporting documents

Obtaining J-2 status:

Your dependent may obtain J-2 status by either:

Entering the U.S. from abroad using:

Form DS-2019

J-2 visa (if required)

Applying for a Change of Status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), if already in the U.S.

Applying for a J-2 visa (outside the U.S.):

After receiving the J-2 DS-2019, your dependents must apply for a J-2 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate

Follow the application instructions for the specific embassy or consulate where they will apply

Travel:

J-2 dependents must have a valid travel signature on their Form DS-2019 to re-enter the U.S. after international travel

When you (J-1) request a travel signature, OISS will also update the travel signature for your J-2 dependents

If a J-2 dependent leaves the U.S. permanently before the J-1 exchange visitor, submit the Notice of Departure for J-2 Dependents (PDF)

Employment:

J-2 dependents may be eligible to work in the U.S.

Employment requires approval from USCIS before work may begin

Dependent income may not be used to support the J-1 exchange visitor

Education:

Children: J-2 children may enroll full-time in elementary and secondary school

College or university: J-2 dependents may study full-time or part-time at a college or university without changing to another immigration status