Maintaining Status

Scholars in J-1 status are responsible for learning, understanding, and complying w ith U.S. federal law s and regulations governing the J visa. Failure to do so will violate the scholar’s legal status in the U.S. Your responsibilities include but may not be limited to the follo w ing:

Report Address Changes to the International Scholar Advisor at the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

All J-1 scholars are required to report an address change w ithin 10 days of any move to the International Scholar Advisor. OISS must have your residential address even if you choose to receive mail at a Post Office Box.

Maintain Required Health Insurance

J-1 scholars must maintain required health insurance (includes Basic Medical Health Insurance, Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance) for yourselves and any dependents in J-2 status throughout your stay in the U.S.

Maintain a valid passport during your stay in the U.S.

Passports must be valid at all times. Scholars will be reminded by an automated system when their passport is within six months of expiring.

Report Changes in Program to OISS

Scholars must notify the International Scholar Advisor w henever there is a change in your academic program or program dates.

Abide by Employment Regulations

J-1 scholars may conduct research or teach only at Washington State University unless specifically authorized ahead of time by OISS to give a lecture or consult at another institution. Scholars must contact the International Scholar Advisor if invited to speak or consult at another institution.

Report to the International Scholar Advisor when your J-2 family members arrive in the U.S. if applicable

Keep OISS informed if J-2 family members arrive in the US . Scholars should not be depart the US for more than one month during their period of stay with dependents present in the US .

Apply for an Extension Prior to the Expiration Date on Your Current DS-2019

Scholars must apply for a program extension before their current DS-2019 expires if they will not be able to complete their program at Washington State University by the end date on their DS-2019. The maximum stay for scholars in the Research Scholar or Professor categories currently is three years. The maximum stay for short-term scholars is six months.

Obtain Travel Signature Prior to Departing the U.S.

Scholars should obtain the International Scholar Advisor’s signature on their DS-2019 prior to traveling outside the U.S. for temporary absences (including traveling to Canada and Mexico ) to facilitate your re-entry to the U.S. as a J-1 scholar.

It is recommended that scholar’s request a travel signature a week in advance of their travel.

Receive Transfer Authorization Prior to Leaving Washington StateUniversity

Scholars must receive authorization from the International Scholar Advisor before leaving Washington State University in order to transfer to another institution.

Report Departure Date and Reason to OISS

Periodically, scholars leave the university early or unexpectedly due to a variety of reasons. U.S. federal regulations require J-1 scholars to inform the International Scholar Advisor if they plan to leave the university before the expiration date of their DS-2019 as w ell as the reason for doing so.

Depart the U.S. within 30 Day Grace Period

Scholars must depart the U.S. w ithin 30 days of the DS-2019 expiration date or program end date, w hichever is earlier, unless you have applied for a change of status w ith USCIS.