Scholars on J-1 Visa

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Legal Status

SEVIS DS-2019

Passport/Entry Visa

Employment Authorization

Change of Address Procedure

Transfer Procedures

Permanent Departures from the University of Minnesota

Violation of Status

Two Year Rule

Five Year Rule

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Other Important Information

Health Care and Insurance

Travel/Reentry With J-1 Visa

J-1 & J-2 Social Security Number

Individual Taxpayer Identification Number

Form I-9 Requirements

J-1 Scholar Forms

Department of State Code

International Scholar Handbook

Scholar Orientation

J Scholars

J-1 Legal Status:
Permanent Departure from the University of Minnesota
SEVIS Notification

The University is required to notify SEVIS when a J-1 exchange visitor (student, scholar, etc.) completes their program earlier than 30 days before the end date on their document, transfers to a new J-1 sponsor, or changes their visa status, to name a few. SEVIS requires a reason any time a scholar’s record is terminated or ended in the SEVIS system and it’s important that the correct reason (i.e., completed early, changed status, etc.) be provided. The reason remains a permanent part of the record and may have an affect on a J-1’s future eligibility to enter the U.S. Please inform ISSS of your situation as it pertains to your permanent departure from the University of Minnesota.

However, if you complete your program less than 30 days before the end date shown on your current DS-2019 form, you do not need to inform ISSS. Your DS-2019 will automatically expire in SEVIS the day after your program end date.

Note: Departures for vacations do not need to be reported to ISSS.

Completion of Program Activity

• Report to ISSS: SEVIS requires that J-1 exchange visitors (students & scholars) notify their J-1 sponsor (i.e. ISSS, etc.) if their program is completed 30 days or more before the program end date on their DS-2019. Email ISSS and send us the following information: name, ID #, date of departure, and reason for departure (i.e. returning home). This insures that a scholar’s departure from the U.S. is properly recorded on their SEVIS record.
• 30-Day Grace Period: Scholars who have completed their program activity have a 30-day grace period in which to depart or to travel within the U.S. You are not allowed to be involved in any J-1 activities during the grace period even without pay. If you will not be able to complete the J-1 program before the DS-2019 end date, you need to request a DS-2019 extension before the current DS-2019 expires. Also, you are not allowed to drive with your Minnesota driver’s license during the grace period. Minnesota drivers’ licenses expire when your DS-2019 expires.
• Update Your Permanent Address: Please make sure to update your new home address in OneStop following the instructions below to stay in touch with UMN.
  1) Go to One Stop: <http://www.onestop.umn.edu>
  2) Click on the link "Update Personal Information"
  3) When the "Personal Information" screen appears, use the menu at the top of the screen to go to "PersonalAddresses"
  4) Choose "Home Permanent"
  5) Update your residential address in "Home Permanent" and submit change

Transfer to another J-1 Program Sponsor

• A scholar’s SEVIS record must be electronically transferred to the new sponsor before the new sponsor can create a DS-2019.
• Consult with an ISSS adviser regarding intent to transfer out and to determine a SEVIS “transfer effective date”.

Change in Visa Status

• J-1 exchange visitors who change their visa status (i.e., to H-1B, J-2, F-1, Permanent Resident, etc.) and who may or may not continue their program should notify ISSS immediately. ISSS will ask for a faxed copy of the new status.