Maintaining Your J-1 Scholar Status

Your Status, Your Responsibility

As a J-1 exchange visitor, you are responsible for maintaining your immigration status. You are expected to comply with all J program regulations listed below. Failure to do so could jeopardize your status and result in accrual of unlawful presence.

To maintain valid visa status, J-1 exchange visitors are required to:

Arrive in a timely manner.

Arrive in the US no more than 30 days prior to the start date printed on your form DS-2019.

Complete the mandatory check-in process as instructed.

Find additional information on the check-in process

Maintain valid immigration documents at all times.

Form DS-2019
Passport
I-94 record
Form DS-7002 (J-1 Student Interns only)

Maintain health insurance coverage for yourself and your J-2 dependents.

Coverage must be active for the entire J-1 program, even when outside the US, for yourself and your J-2 dependents.
Coverage must meet both UF and federal minimum requirements.
Find more information about health insurance.

Report any change of address or phone number to EVS within 10 days.

Your EVS advisor will update your SEVIS record, thus satisfying the federal requirement.
While you should update your contact information in ONE.UF, you must also inform your EVS advisor directly.

Engage in activities outlined in your UF invitation letter.

You must participate in program activities in-person (at least 3 out of 5 days per week).
If you stop participating in your program activities for any reason, you must notify EVS advisors immediately and prepare to leave the US.

Refrain from any unauthorized employment.

Any outside employment activity must be approved, in writing, by your EVS advisor before the activity begins.
Volunteering may be considered employment for immigration purposes; consult with your EVS advisor before beginning any volunteer activity.
Find more information about employment.

Ensure your DS-2019 accurately reflects your program dates.

Notify your department and EVS if you will end your program early.
If you are requesting an extension, ensure that you have received your amended DS-2019 at least two weeks before your program end date.

Limit international travel to the permitted duration for your category.

Research Scholars and Professors: 30 days maximum
Student Interns and Short-Term Scholars: 15 days maximum
Additional time may be approved due to documented emergencies or fieldwork; request approval in advance from your EVS advisor by submitting the Out-of-Country application.
For more information, visit the Travel page.

Termination

Exchange visitors who do not comply with all J visa regulations will have their SEVIS record terminated. This ends the J-1 program, as well as the valid visa status of the J-1 exchange visitor and any J-2 dependents. Unlike a program reduction, termination is a negative event that may have adverse effects on future visa applications.

Possible reasons for SEVIS record termination include:

Failure to participate in activities outlined in the UF invitation letter
Willful failure to maintain appropriate health insurance coverage for themselves and any J-2 dependents
Engagement in any unauthorized employment
Other violations of UF and/or J program rules or regulations

Exchange visitors whose SEVIS records are terminated must leave the US immediately. They cannot request an extension of stay or in-country change-of-status.