Maintaining J-1 Status

In order for individuals to stay temporarily in the U.S. as J-1 Exchange Visitors, they must follow or comply with specific regulations of the U.S. Department of State. This is referred to as "maintaining lawful J-1 status" or "being in lawful J-1 status". The regulations are listed below. To be in lawful status and to maintain lawful J-1 status a student intern must:

• Maintain required medical insurance, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance;
• New J-1 student interns must attend the required Student Intern Orientation, and physically report to and check-in with the OISS within one week of arriving in the US*
• Work full time (32 hours or more each week)
• Obtain a new DS-2019 from your program sponsor if any information on your DS-2019 changes (such as funding source changes);
• Apply for a program extension prior to the expiration date on your DS-2019 if you and your sponsor agree to extend your internship (limited to a maximum stay of 12 months);
• Depart the U.S. within 30 days following the end date on your DS-2019.
• DO NOT engage in any employment (either on or off campus) that is not described on the DS7002 Training Placement Plan without first consulting with an OISS advisor.
• Notify OISS if you intend to transfer from WSU to another J-1 Internship within the U.S. Transfers are not possible without OISS authorization.
• Notify OISS if you end your internship prematurely
• Notify OISS of your current residential U.S. within 10 days of any move;
• Notify OISS if your J-2 dependent spouse or children arrive in the U.S.
*Branch campus student interns are requred to attend an orientation by video conference. These students can check in with their sponsoring professor but must provide scanned copies of their documents to OISS

Failure to comply with government regulations could result in serious consequences, including removal (deportation) from the US . For this reason, we strongly urge you to contact a Student Intern Advisor in Bryan Hall room 108, call 335-4508 or email oiss@wsu.edu if you have questions. We want you to avoid difficulties and have a productive and enjoyable program while at WSU.