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International Student
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Maintaining J-1 Student Status

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Maintain J-1 Status

It is critical that international students in J-1 status maintain their legal status while in the United States. If your DS-2019 was issued by other organization than Temple University, they will be responsible for your SEVIS record and all immigration issues are addressed by that organization. Any forms listed on this site are for students whose DS-2019 were issued by Temple University. For more information about how to maintain status, please review the links to the left and the information below:
Education
  • Students must attend the college/university that the U.S. Department of State has authorized them to attend (the school that issued your DS-2019). It is usually listed as "primary site of activity" on your DS-2019.
  • Students must complete a full course of study (9 credits for graduate students; 12 credits for undergraduates) during normal enrollment periods (fall and spring semester). Students who are not be enrolled full-time, must receive authorization/permission from ISSS in advance. They are not required to register during the summer. Graduate students on assistantship, fellowships, or externships may enroll in six (6) hours to meet requirement, as long as their department allows. Students are encouraged to check with their department before they register for fewer than nine (9) semester hours for the fall or spring semester.
  • Students are encouraged not to withdraw from any classes without speaking with an international student advisor first. J-1 students must complete the Request for a Reduced Course Load.
  • Students must apply for an extension of their program of study prior to the expiration date on your Form DS-2019 if they cannot complete the program by that date. J-1 students must complete the Extending Certificate of Eligibility Form.
  • Students must obtain a new Form DS-2019 within 15 days of admission upon changing their academic program from one degree level to another (e.g., from Bachelor's to Master's level), one school to another (e.g., from the School of Medicine to the School of Engineering), or one major/field of study to another (e.g., from Chemical Engineering to Physics).
  • Students need to request a new Form DS-2019 to reflect a change of major as soon as the change is approved by the university.
  • Students need to request a new Form DS-2019 to reflect any changes in funding within 15 days of the change.
Employment
  • Students are not permitted to work off-campus unless you have, in their possession, written authorization to do so. This authorization will come from ISSS. J-1 students are allowed to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week when school is in session.
  • Students in J-1 status should never begin employment until they have received authorization to do so. Information on types of employment available to students in J-1 status is available at http://www.temple.edu/isss/employment/index.htm
Documentation
  • Students are required to maintain a valid passport at all times, unless exempt from passport requirements. Students should contact their U.S. Embassy or Consulate with questions regarding extending their passport.
  • Students need to complete an official immigration transfer whenever they change educational institutions.
  • Students should use the General Request Form to request immigration documents for their F2 dependents.
Travel
  • All non-immigrants must notify ISSS prior to traveling outside the U.S. so that the Form can be endorsed for travel or a new form can be issued, if required. The ISSS signature on the Form should have been received within twelve months of the person re-entering the U.S.
  • For example, if a person are re-entering the U.S. in August 15, 200X, the ISSS signature should be no older than August 16 of the previous year.
Updating Address

All nonimmigrants are required to report a change of address or name within 10 days of the event. Currently enrolled J-1 students do so by updating their address in TUPortal.

Health Insurance

Students in J-1 status are required by the U.S. Department of State to carry health insurance for themselves and any dependents in the U.S. in J-2 status. This is not a Temple University policy, but a visa requirement. Please see General Information | Health Insurance: J Scholar and H-1B Employees | ISSS | Temple University

Two Year Home Residency Requirement

Please see more information here.

Previous Visa Issuance Notes

An exchange visitor who travels outside of the US after transferring J programs, or starting a new J program, needs a new J visa before returning to the United States under the sponsorship of the new program. The Foreign Affairs Manual directs consular officers that:

    • "A J-1 or J-2 visa must be annotated to show the program number, program dates, and sponsor name of the alien's exchange program, as well as the SEVIS number of the individual" and
    • "J-1 visas must be issued for the program dates listed on the Form DS-2019"
    • "An exchange visitor must not use any single J visa for a program other than that specified on the annotation, even if that J visa has not yet expired."

Go back to Student ResourcesMore in Maintaining Legal Status

  • Full Course of Study Requirements
  • DS-2019 Extensions
  • J-1 Student Insurance Requirements
  • J-1 Student Reinstatement
  • What to do When your DS-2019 is Expiring
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