J-1 Non-Immigrant Visa
Maintaining J-1 Immigration Status
The Center for International Education staff is required to strictly enforce all of these rules and regulations. In case of a violation we are required to report any irregularities to the U.S. Department of State.
Maintain a full course of study
- Undergraduate students: Enroll in at least 12 credit hours in Fall or Spring (or 6 in Summer if it is your first term)
- Masters or doctoral students without an assistantship: Enroll in at least 9 credit hours in Fall or Spring (or 3 in Summer if it is your first term)
- Masters or doctoral students with an assistantship: Enroll in at least 8 credit hours in Fall or Spring (or 3 in Summer if it is your first term)
- Doctoral students who have been admitted to candidacy and have a graduate assistantship: Enroll in at least 6 credit hours in Fall or Spring (or 3 in Summer if it is your final term)
- Online coursework – International students are not allowed to register for more than one online course each semester. This online course cannot exceed 3 credit hours. If a student only needs one course to complete their program of study, the course cannot be completed through online or distance education.
- Special enrollment exceptions exist during your final term: While you may be allowed to register for fewer hours than specified above, you must still enroll in at least 1 course during your final term--- particularly important if Summer is your final term. A Reduced Course Load form must be filed with the CIE office in advance of the start of your final semester.
Complete the course of study by the date posted
Complete the course of study by the date posted in section three (3), of your DS-2019.
- The DS-2019 has an expiration date established by the time necessary to complete a degree. It expires on that date or when the student completes the course of study, whichever comes first. On-campus employment must cease upon the program end date.
Report Changes to your DS-2019
Report to the Center for International Education Office (CIE) to make changes to your DS-2019 including change of major, funding, level of study, or legal name.
Limit On-Campus Employment Hours
Limit campus employment to a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week while school is in session. You may work full time (37.5 hours per week) when school is not in session. (Employment may require the authorization of your sponsor. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please check with CIE for details.)
Off-Campus Work is Prohibited
Never work off campus. Off campus internships are an exception. Contact CIE for guidelines.
Apply for Academic Training Early
Begin the process to apply for Academic Training thirty (30) days before your DS-2019 expiration date.
Leave U.S. or Extend DS-2019 on Time
Depart the U.S. no later than thirty (30) days after completing your academic program OR apply to and receive a new DS-2019 for a new academic program no later than the expiration date of your DS-2019.
Keep Passport Valid
Have a valid passport the entire time you are in the U.S. and keep your passport valid at least six (6) months into the future.
- If you are traveling, your passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future at the time of your re-entry into the United States.
Report Your U.S. Address Within 10 Days
Report your local Carbondale address within ten (10) days of the time that you establish your residence. Report any future address changes to CIE within ten (10) days including while you are on any authorized practical training. The USCIS requires that you maintain a current address with the University at all times.
- You can update your current address by using your SalukiNet account. If you are on Academic Training, please submit address updates via email at issinfo@siu.edu.
Get Travel Signature Before Leaving U.S.
If your DS-2019 was issued by SIU, you should secure a signature for travel outside the U.S. from a Responsible Officer at the CIE office at least two weeks prior to your departure. All sponsored students should contact your J-1 sponsor directly.
Maintain Required Health Insurance
Maintain required health insurance coverage that meets J visa requirements.
All J-1 exchange visitors: students, scholars, researchers, and professors (and their J-2 family members) are required, as a condition of their visa status, to carry health insurance which meets the minimum requirements.
J-1 Students - are automatically enrolled in SIU's student insurance plan which DOES meet the requirement. Dependent insurance can also be purchased through this plan.
J-1 Scholars, Researchers, and Professors must typically purchase their own insurance through a third party.
As insurance rates may vary based upon the company you choose, as well as the health-status, age, etc. of the insured, it is recommended that you get estimates from at least 3 different agencies to make certain that you are making the best choice for your personal situation. It is highly recommended that you purchase from a local company, as they will be able to explain the insurance and help you in the event that you need it.
You must be covered by this insurance by the day your program starts (start date listed on your DS-2019). Therefore, insurance should be purchased before you arrive, or you should arrive before your start date in order to purchase it.
You and your dependents must maintain health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your stay in the US. If your stay is extended beyond the initial time period, you will be responsible for renewing and extending your health insurance coverage. Please understand that failure to comply with this mandated health insurance requirement will result in the termination of your participation in this J-1 Exchange Visitor program. CIE must have a current and updated copy of your health insurance policy at all times. You can visit the Department of State website for more detailed information on the health insurance requirement. (click on “Insurance” dropdown)
In the U.S. certain kinds of elective medical care, such as eyeglasses or dentistry, are not ordinarily covered by insurance and can be quite costly. If at all possible, you should plan on taking care of these needs before leaving for your visit to the U.S.
It is your responsibility to prove that the insurance you did purchase meets the minimum standards (IN ENGLISH).
Minimum coverage must provide the following:
- Medical benefits of at least of $100,000 per accident/illness
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident/illness
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation to the home country ($50,000)
- Repatriation of remains ($25,000)
- Any policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of “A-“or above, and Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-“or above, a Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A” or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above, OR backed by the full faith & credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country.
- An insurance policy secured to fulfill these requirements:
- May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions which is reasonable as determined by current industry standards;
- May include a provision for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness; and
- Shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.
Depending on the specifics of your agreement with your SIU departmental sponsor, you may or may not be eligible for participation in SIU’s employee health insurance plan. You should check with your academic departmental sponsor to determine if you will be eligible for SIU’s employee health insurance. Please note that the SIU Employee insurance plan does NOT cover items 3 & 4 (medical evacuation and repatriation). If you have SIU employee health insurance, you must purchase a separate policy that covers these 2 items. You may purchase this type of insurance from a variety of companies on-line.
The State of Illinois All Kids plan does not cover items 3 and 4 associated with medical evacuation and repatriation of remains. If this plan is used as primary coverage, a supplemental policy which covers items 3 and 4 must be submitted in order to meet all of the requirements.
Notify CIE Before Leaving SIU
Report to CIE when you intend to leave SIU, especially if you are graduating earlier than the program end date on your DS-2019.