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Other J-1 Circumstance
- Bringing Family to WSU
- Change of Visa Status/change of J Category
- J-1 Scholar Visiting your Department; Sponsored by other Schools/Entities
- Passport Renewals
- Extended absences
- Site of activity in a different location
- How J-1 differs from other categories
Bringing Family to WSU Dependent family members (a spouse, or child/children under 21) are eligible to accompany the visiting scholar for all or part of their stay in the U.S. and can chose to arrive at the same time that the scholar initially arrives or, separately, at a later time. If the dependent family member will accompany the J-1 scholar as a J-2, a DS-2019 will be created for each family member. Use the spaces provided in the Request for Issuance of DS-2019 forms. For dependents arriving at a later/different time, the visiting scholar should read information pertaining to Bringing Family on the OISS web site and contact the International Scholar Advisor (ISA) directly. Although J-2 is typically used for visiting family members, other categories may be more appropriate depending on factors such as the duration of stay, the country of origin, and interest in employment.
J-2 dependents are eligible to:
- • Attend classes part-time or full-time
- Work on or off the WSU campus, but only with specific authorization from the USCIS.
J-2 dependents are:
- Subject to the Two Year Residency Requirement if the J-1 is.
- Restricted from participating as J-1 Research Scholar or Professor for a period of 12 or 24 months following the end of their J-2 status.
Change of Visa Status/change of J category A change of visa status may be appropriate for circumstances such as starting a new degree program in F-1 student status, or a change to an “employment” visa status such as H-1B. A number of factors must be considered to determine “how” or “whether” a change of status can be obtained. All interested parties should discuss a possible change of status with the OISS well in advance of such an action.
Notes: A J-1 (or J-2) who is subject to INA 212(e), the Two Year Home Country Residency Requirement, is subject to severe restrictions and should consult the International Scholar Advisor. For more information please see Two Year Requirement on the OISS web site. A change from one J-1 subcategory to another, such as switching from “J Scholar” to “J Student,” is rarely granted by Department of State.
J-1 scholar visiting your department; sponsored by other schools/entities Occasionally J-1 scholars who are sponsored by a different entity may visit your department as an official “site of activity.” They must have a DS-2019 in their possession with the name and location of their official sponsor. Fulbright Scholars are an example of scholars officially sponsored by the Department of State/Institute for International Education residing at WSU.
Passport Renewals A visiting scholar can usually renew their passport by contacting their home country’s embassy or nearest consulate in the United States.
Extended absences Overseas travel/absences from the U.S. for periods longer than 30 days can be problematic for a visiting scholar. If your scholar needs to return temporarily to their home institution you should notify the International Scholar Advisor for advice. In no case should visiting scholars leave their dependent family members unaccompanied here for long periods of time for the sole purpose of having the dependent children learn English or attend public schools in Pullman. Visiting scholars may have their SEVIS records terminated for abusing the exchange program in this way.
Site of activity in a different location All sites of activity must be recorded in SEVIS. If the exchange program includes research at an off-campus location you must indicate this in the Request for DS-2019 Form or otherwise notify the International Scholar Advisor.
How J-1 differs from other categories Unlike H-1B status, USCIS is not involved in issuing documents for the exchange visitor. There are no application fees for obtaining this status other than the cost to the visitor for purchasing the entry visa and paying the SEVIS fee. There is also no “prevailing wage” for this category.
Certain entities like WSU apply for and are designated as official Exchange Visitor Program sponsors. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is used by the Department of Homeland Security to track the location and monitor compliance of students and scholars, including all J-1s. Exchange visitors pay a SEVIS fee to maintain the system, paid at the time they request a visa stamp.
J-1 categories contain certain restrictions to prevent exchange visitors from residing permanently in the U.S., including the 2 year home-country residence rule. For further information regarding other visa categories used in employing and hosting international scholars at WSU go to the OISS scholar page. More information about the Exchange Visitor Program can be viewed at the Department of State’s website
Page Updated: April 22, 2008