Overview

To maintain legal status, a J-1 exchange visitor must:

  • Maintain a valid DS-2019. Extensions must be completed prior to the expiration date of the current DS-2019.
  • Have a valid passport
  • Work only as authorized on the DS-2019
  • Maintain required health insurance coverage for the J-1 and all J-2 dependents
  • Update current and permanent address information with ISSO within 10 days of any move
  • Update phone number information with ISSO within 10 days of obtaining or changing phone number
  • Update e-mail address information with ISSO within 10 days of obtaining or changing an e-mail account

Twelve month Bar

Any individual who has been in the United States for more than six months in the previous year in J-1 status is not eligible to enter the United States as a J-1 research scholar or professor for a 12-month period. Time spent in the J-1 short-term scholar category does not count towards the 12-month bar. Individuals subject to the 12-month bar may return to the U.S. with another visa type or as a J-1 in another category such as short-term scholar or student.

Twenty-four-month Bar on Repeat Program Participation

When an exchange visitor arrives in the United States in J-1 status in the research scholar or professor category a 5-year eligibility "window" opens. When the program ends the exchange visitor becomes subject to a 24-month bar on repeat participation as a J-1 exchange visitor in the research scholar or professor categories. This is true even if the program is less than 5 years in length.

This 24-month bar means that the exchange visitor will not be able to start a new research scholar or professor program at any institution in the United States until two years have passed from the completion date of the previous program. Those two years may be spent outside the United States or in the United States in another immigration status.

Health Insurance Enrollment Procedures

During check-in with ISSO, visiting scholars will be provided with the information necessary to enroll in the Iowa State University Student and Scholar Health Insurance Plan. In some cases, the host department may cover the cost of health insurance. Please contact your host department for more information regarding this benefit.