Overview

An Exchange Visitor (J-1 scholar or J-2 dependent) may travel outside the US during their J program. To be sure you will be granted permission to re-enter the US, before traveling you should make sure you have:

An unexpired, multiple entry J-1 visa stamp

  • If you leave the US after your J visa has expired, or if you acquired your J status through approval from USCIS, you must apply for a new J visa in order to return to the US
  • Visas are issued by a US Embassy or Consulate outside of the US and can expire while the Exchange Visitor remains in the US. A valid visa is only required when entering the US, not for staying in the US.

A valid passport (expiration date must be at least 6 months beyond the end date on your DS-2019). If your country is on this list, the passport expiration date can be the same your DS-2019 end date, or later.

A valid (not expired) Form DS-2019 with Travel Validation Signature (see below) 

  • Please note that, unlike your J visa, your Form DS-2019 must remain valid and unexpired to remain legally in the US. 

Limitations

Time spent outside the U.S. during your exchange program should be no longer than 30 days.

A stay longer than 30 days requires ISSO to confirm you are continuing your program objective while outside the US 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 responsible officers for ISU are employed by the ISSO. 

A travel signature is valid for one year for Research Scholars and six months for Short-Term Scholars (or until your DS-2019 end date), however, please notify the ISSO each time you travel, even if your signature is still valid. 

The travel signature confirms that you are maintaining legal J-1 nonimmigrant status, which includes engaging in the J program activity listed in Block 4 of your DS-2019 at the location listed in Block 1 of your DS-2019.

To notify the ISSO that you are about to travel, and to request a travel validation signature if needed, log into Cystart. and open the J-1 Scholar Services section. 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 supervisor’s information in the “Host Department Information” section of the e-form and click “Submit” to route the e-form to your supervisor for approval or denial. 
  • When your faculty host submits their section of thee-form, it comes to ISSO for a final review. 
  • ISSO will complete this review within three working days, and will contact you about bringing your DS-2019 to the ISSO if a travel signature is needed.

 If your J-2 dependents are also traveling, please be sure to bring their Forms DS-2019 to ISSO for travel validation signatures as well.

Re-entry

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

  • Passport valid for at least six months beyond the end date of the DS-2019 (see exceptions)
  • A valid J-1 visa stamp (does not apply to Canadian citizens)
  • A valid unexpired DS-2019 with the signature authorizing travel for the J-1 and J-2's (see Travel Validation above)

Scholars may find it useful to carry their invitation or offer letter from their ISU department to demonstrate that they are a visiting scholar or employee at Iowa State University.