Overview

An Exchange Visitor (J-1 scholar) may travel outside the U.S. during his or her J program. An unexpired, multiple entry U.S. J-1 visa stamp in the passport along with a valid Form DS-2019 grants permission to request re-entry to the United States. Visas are issued by a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside of the U.S. and may expire while the Exchange Visitor remains in the U.S. Form DS-2019 must remain valid and unexpired in order for the Exchange Visitor to remain legally in the United States. If an Exchange Visitor or J-2 family member leaves the U.S. after the visa has expired, or if a change of status to J-1 has been approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Exchange Visitor and/or dependent must apply for a new J-1 visa in order to return to the U.S.

Limitations

Time spent outside the U.S. during your exchange program must be no longer than 30 days. A stay longer than 30 days requires ISSO to confirm you are still continuing your program objective while outside the U.S. and that you continue to abide by the J-1 immigration requirements for health insurance. If ISSO cannot confirm these two things, your J program will be terminated for an absence longer than 30 days and you will not be eligible to return to the U.S. to continue your J program.

Following the end of your J program, you have a 30-day period in which to depart the U.S. Once you depart, you may not re-enter the U.S. as a J-1 unless you have received a new, valid Form DS-2019. Departure from the U.S. includes travel to Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands.

Travel Validation Request

Your DS-2019 contains a section in the bottom right corner for travel validation by a responsible officer. All J-1 responsible officers for ISU are employed by the ISSO. A travel signature is valid for up to one year (or until the end date listed on your DS-2019). The travel signature confirms that you are maintaining legal J-1 nonimmigrant status, which includes engaging in the J program activity listed in section #4 of your DS-2019 at the location listed in section #1 of your DS-2019.

To request a travel validation signature, log into Cystart. and open your J-1 Scholar Services tab. Complete the e-form named “Travel Validation Request." Here are the steps in the process:

  • Discuss your travel plans with your ISU faculty host.
  • Complete the Travel Validation Request e-form at least three weeks prior to your planned departure date. To request expedited service due to travel in less than three weeks, please complete the e-form and then send an e-mail message to issoscholar@iastate.edu.
  • Enter your ISU faculty host’s information in the “Host Department Information” section of the e-form and click “Submit” to send the e-form to your ISU faculty host for approval. Your ISU faculty host will approve or deny your request for time away from your program activity.
  • Your faculty host submits the completed e-form to ISSO for a final review. ISSO will complete this review within three working days.

ISSO will send you an e-mail with a date and time to bring your Form DS-2019 to ISSO for the travel validation signature. If your J-2 dependents are also traveling, please be sure to bring their Forms DS-2019 to ISSO for travel validation signature as well.

Re-entry

Re-entry into the United States as a J-1 student or scholar (and J-2 dependent) requires the following:

  • Passport valid for at least six months from the date of re-entry (some exceptions apply)
  • A valid J-1 visa stamp (does not apply to Canadian citizens)
  • A valid unexpired DS-2019 with a signature authorizing travel for the J-1 and J-2's

Scholars may find it useful to carry a letter from their academic department head or supervisor verifying that they are a visiting scholar or employee in good standing at Iowa State University.