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 US for a J-1 program lasting more than 6 months is not eligible to enter the US as a J-1 research scholar or professor for a 12-month period after their DS-2019 end date.
Individuals subject to the 12-month bar may return to the US 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 US in J-1 status in the Research Scholar or Professor category, a 5-year eligibility window opens.
When the program ends, even it lasted less than 6 months, the exchange visitor becomes subject to a 24-month bar on repeat participation as a J-1 Research Scholar or Professor.
This 24-month bar means the Exchange Visitor will not be able to start a new J-1 Research Scholar or Professor program at any institution in the US until 24 months have passed from the end date of the previous program.
Those 24 months may be spent outside the US or inside the US in another immigration status.
Health Insurance Enrollment Procedures
During ISSO check-in, information will be provided with the information necessary to enroll in one of the following:
- For Unpaid Scholars (including Student Interns on stipends) - Student and Scholar Health Insurance Plan (SSHIP) for Visiting Scholars.
- For Paid Scholars (if you are not Benefit eligible, see SSHIP option) – ISU Benefits Medical Plan
In some cases, the host department may cover the cost of an Unpaid Scholar’s SSHIP health insurance. Please contact your host department for more information regarding this benefit. ISU subsidizes the ISU Benefits plan.