SEVIS Guidelines for J-1 Scholar and Their Dependents
Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
Reporting Mandates
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
Initial Arrival in the U.S. and at the University of Minnesota
- J-1 scholars/staff may enter the U.S. for a period of up to
30 days before the program start date on the DS-2019.
- All new J-1 scholars and staff should report to ISSS with their
passport, I-94 and DS-2019 (formerly referred to as IAP-66) immediately
upon arrival at the University of Minnesota.
- All new J-1 scholars and staff should report to their department
at the University of Minnesota to establish their work schedule.
- Scholars/Staff must report their residential address to ISSS
within 10 days of their establishing residence in Minnesota. This
includes reporting the address of any dependents who are present
in the U.S. as well.
Grace Period
A 30-day grace period is available to scholars/staff who have completed
their program objective at the University of Minnesota.
Maintaining Accurate Visa Documents
- J-1 scholars/staff should insure that the information on their
DS-2019 remains current and that the document does not expire.
Timely DS-2019 extension requests must be submitted to the program
sponsor. ISSS recommends applying for an extension 30 days before
your current DS-209 expires.
- Scholars/staff who change their job title, department or make
any other changes which relate to their presence at the University
of Minnesota must report such changes to ISSS within 10 days.
Use of Legal Names
- Any name changes of J-1 scholars and their dependents must be
reported to the University within 10 days. A name change is reported to SEVIS.
- Failure to report any name changes will result in loss of legal
status.
- The name on all of your documents and in
the University database must be consistent. Use the same first,
middle (if applicable), and last name in your passport, national
identification document, I-94, I-20/DS-2019, Social Security card,
University identification card, Minnesota Driver’s License
or State ID, bank account, checks, and any other documents you
may acquire in the U.S.
Transfer to another program sponsor/institution
- J-1 scholars/staff who elect to transfer to another institution
in the U.S. should notify ISSS of their plan to transfer before leaving the University of Minnesota.
- J-1 scholars/staff should see an ISSS adviser at least one month
before their intended transfer to another J sponsor or school.
Address
- A change of address and telephone number for any J-1 scholar
and their dependents must be reported to the University and the
DHS within 10 days. Dependents
should use DHS AR-11 to report address changes to DHS.
- Failure of J-1 scholar and their dependents to report any address
changes to ISSS will result in loss of status. The Department
of State will not grant a request for reinstatement in such cases.
- Scholars should update their “Current Mailing Address” and telephone number using One Stop at the university database. This will be electronically reported to SEVIS
- Do not use a foreign or university department address, SEVIS will also not accept a P.O. Box.
- If a scholar or dependent is not physically residing at the
“Current Mailing Address”, it is important that s/he contact
an ISSS adviser and provide information on his/her physical location.
Permanent Departure from the U.S.
J-1 scholars/staff who terminate their research/employment at the
University of Minnesota and intend to depart the U.S. must notify
ISSS within 10 days.
J-2 Dependents
- Any name changes of dependents must be reported to ISSS within
10 days.
- Any address changes for J-2 dependents must be reported to
ISSS within 10 days.
- Scholars/staff need to provide
ISSS with dependent information for each J-2 family member present
in the U.S. ISSS will need a copy of the dependent DS-2019, entry visa
stamp, I-94 and current address.
- Travel and reentry of dependents will require separate SEVIS-generated
DS-2019 forms for each person who travels even if travelling with
the principal visa holder.
- It is unclear how the status of dependent visa holders is affected
if the J-2 dependent remains in the U.S. when the J-1 principal
visa holder is temporarily absent from the U.S.
- Study in J-2 status: Current regulations allow J-2 visa holders
to enroll in an academic program and to take courses at the University. However, the U.S. Department of State stated its
intention to prohibit J-2 study in the future. This will be clarified
in the next J visa regulations that are published. The new regulations
will likely be the same as the current regulations for F-2 visa
holders which prohibit F-2 study. See the information in the F-1
section regarding F-2 study. Also, the Department of State has
not indicated when new regulations regarding J-2 study will be
published. J-2s who want to study in the U.S. in the future, should see a J adviser
to discuss options. If you are not subject to the 2-year home
residency requirement, you may be able to change your status to
F-1 student in the United States. If you are subject to the 2-year
rule, you may be able to go home and apply for J-1 student or
F-1 student status.
Loss of Legal Status
- DHS places the responsibility of maintaining legal status with
the scholar and will consider a scholar to be in violation of
his/her legal status if s/he follows inappropriate advice given
by faculty mentors or advisers.
- Failure to report within 10 days a change of name or address
to ISSS by the J-1 and/or J-2 dependents is a violation of Exchange
Visitor Program regulations. The new regulations state that J
visa holders are ineligible to apply for reinstatement in this
case. The Department of State will deny any such application for
reinstatement.
- A J-1 scholar/staff who enters the U.S. on a University of
Minnesota DS-2019 but fails to report to the University of Minnesota
within 30 days of the start date of the J-1 program will be reported
as “no show” through SEVIS. This will result in the
loss of legal status.
- Reinstatement requests will be made to the Department of State
through SEVIS (if reinstatement guidelines apply).
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