Maintaining Legal J-1 Status
The J Exchange Visitor (EV) Program is under the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961. The purpose is to increase mutual understanding between people of the USA and other countries through educational and cultural exchange. The United States Department of State issues, designates creates, and administers the J EV program regulations and policies. The Gallaudet University J EV program brings students, student interns, teachers, professors, researchers, professionals, and specialists to the United States for various educational and cultural exchanges.
As an Exchange Visitor, you are responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with U.S. Federal Laws and regulations governing the J-1 program. You have the responsibility to do the following:
Rules of J-1 Status:
7. Maintain adequate health insurance.
Other Responsibilities for J-1:
1. Keep your passport valid at all times.
You must know and comply with all immigration regulations affecting your visa status. Failure to comply with these regulations will mean the LOSS of your J-1 status.
As an Exchange Visitor, you are responsible for reading, understanding, and complying with U.S. Federal Laws and regulations governing the J-1 program. You have the responsibility to do the following:
Rules of J-1 Status:
1. Maintain full-time enrollment unless otherwise permitted by the Office of International Affairs (OIA).
If your category is that of a student, enroll for and complete a full course of study every fall and spring semester. Full-time enrollment is defined as:
- Undergraduate -- 12 or more credits per semester
- Graduate – 9 or more credits per semester
- English Language Institute – 18 or more credits per semester
2. Obtain permission to enroll less than full-time before you drop, withdraw from, or stop attending classes.
If you are a non-degree student or believe you cannot enroll full-time, contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) before you drop, withdraw from, or stop attending class. There are a few limited exceptions to the full-time requirement for which you might qualify if you obtain permission in advance.
3. Do not accept employment on or off campus without the permission of OIA.
You may work up to 20 hours per week on campus when school is in session and full-time during official school breaks. These 20 hours include the work you do for a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship if you have one. To work off campus, it must be related to your major fields of study, and you must get permission from ISSS. Never work without authorization!
4. Apply for a program extension prior to the DS-2019 expiration date.
You must complete your program of study by the date on your Form DS-2019. Give yourself or your sponsor at least six months to prepare all documentation for a program extension and your Form DS-2019 if you are eligible for additional time to finish your program.
5. Report the reason for departure and date to OIA.
Exchange visitors must inform OIA if they plan to withdraw from or leave the University and the reason for ending their program or their program finishes before the expiration date of their Form DS-2019.
6. Report program changes to OIA.
You must notify OIA whenever there is a change in your program. These changes include new funding sources, new majors, or moving from an undergraduate to a graduate program.
7. Maintain adequate health insurance.
Pursuant to the Code of Federal Regulations, Title 22, Section 62.14, health insurance is mandatory for all Exchange Visitors and their dependents for the duration of the program. The Department of State also requires health insurance coverage from companies with the “A-” rating by Fitch Ratings, Inc. and the “A3” rating by Moody's Investor Services.
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At a minimum, the insurance coverage must include the following:
(1) Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;
(2) Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
(3) Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of exchange visitors to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000; and
(4) Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
Failure to maintain the above health insurance requirement will render the scholar out of status and may cause removal from the program.
Other Responsibilities for J-1:
1. Keep your passport valid at all times.
If your passport is due to expire, contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the United States to renew it.
2. Report a change of address to OIA within 10 days.
OIA is required to provide this and other Exchange Visitor data to the federal government electronically through SEVIS.
3. Obtain a travel signature before traveling outside of the US:
Exchange Visitors and dependents must obtain the signature of the Responsible Officer or an Alternate Responsible Officer (OIA staff member) on their Form DS-2019 before traveling outside the U.S.
4. File a federal income tax form for every year you are in the U.S., even if you did not receive any income.
You must know and comply with all immigration regulations affecting your visa status. Failure to comply with these regulations will mean the LOSS of your J-1 status.