J-1 Exchange Visitor Students

In order to maintain a valid and legal J-1 status, please ensure the following:

• Attend full duration of the program (refer to program start and end dates on the DS‐2019).
• Have a valid DS‐2019 with accurate program dates and signature of the DSO/ARO.
• Make sure that the date of expiry on your passport is AT LEAST 6 months in the future.
• Engage in authorized employment only.
• File timely and appropriate extension request, if your program is extended.
• Report early departure from your program to IPS. If you decide to depart the United States more than 30 days prior to the completion date of your program (as indicated on your DS‐2019), you MUST notify your department AND IPS. Correctly recording your program completion date is important because it can affect the date on which you can return to the United States on a new J‐1 program, or in another visa status.
• Maintain required health insurance coverage.
• Update your current and permanent address information on Banweb (and also email IPS) within 10 days of moving.

• In order to be considered as full-time enrollment, a student needs to be registered for at least 9 credits (for Graduate students) or 12 credits (Undergraduates) during the Fall and Spring semesters.
• International students do not need to be enrolled during Summer semester (unless they begin their program in Summer, or they are receiving a fellowship/grant/assistantship that requires Summer enrollment).
• As part of full-time enrollment, number of online credits can be maximum 3 (i.e., only one class).
• Audited courses do not count towards full-time enrollment.
• Unlike F-1 students, J-1 students are not eligible for Reduced Course Load.

The Graduate Language Assessment and Support (GLAS) is a free program offered by the Graduate School, to help international graduate students improve their English oral communication skills. Through small-group conversations, students gain experience about participating in class discussions, responding to questions, and listening effectively. GLAS coaches work with students to help them better understand US university expectations, and what students and instructors expect from each other in classrooms. Visit the GLAS page for more information and to schedule appointments.

Students may also join the Elaine Bacon Literacy Program, which is compiled of individual one-on-one classes as well as conversations with a "conversation partner". Please visit the Elaine Bacon website for scheduling classes and for further information.

J-1 students can obtain employment in either of the following 3 categories (as long as they maintain legal J-1 status):

1. Academic Training (AT): Academic training (AT) is a job that directly relates to your (the J-1 student's) study major that was authorized by your J-1 program sponsor and as mentioned on the DS-2019. For more details about AT, please visit this page.
2. On-campus employment: On-campus employment (including Research/Teaching Assistantship) is limited to 20 hours per week (i.e., part-time) during the academic semester, or up to 40 hours during breaks. Please fill out this form to report your employment.
3. Off-campus employment: Off-campus employment which may not be directly related to the student's area of study, can be authorized under special circumstances only for students who are facing unexpected economic hardship. Employment would limited to 20 hours per week (i.e., part-time) during the academic semester, or up to 40 hours during breaks. In order to have approval to apply for off-campus employment, you must explain, by means of a written statement to IPS, the details of your unexpected economic hardship and also demonstrate that all other current or potential employment opportunities are insufficient. Please contact us (ips@mtu.edu) for further questions.

J-2 dependents are eligible to work either part-time or full-time (irrespective of whether it is during the academic year or a break), provided they have authorization from the sponsor of the DS-2019. Visit this page for details about J-2 dependent employment.

Please note, in order to be successfully employed in any position, (i) the employment must be authorized by the sponsor of the J-1 student's DS-2019; and (ii) the individual (the J-1 student or J-2 dependent) must have a valid social security number. For details on how to apply for an SSN, click here.

A J-1 student may request to stay longer than the initial program end date, and their DS-2019 may be extended up to the maximum period of participation. You (the J-1 student) must put in a request with your sponsor, and your academic department should also be in agreement with the extension. International Programs and Services can approve an extension of any duration up to the maximum period of participation.

You will be considered eligible to apply for an extension of status if:

• You are working toward the original program objective shown in section 4 of your most recent DS-2019.
• You are maintaining their status as a J-1 Exchange Visitor.
• You can show that they have adequate funding for themselves and any J-2 dependents during the proposed extension (minimum $14,000 per year).
• You (including J-2 dependents, if any) are currently maintaining and continue to maintain health insurance coverage that meets J-visa requirements.

Guidelines to extend a DS-2019:

You will need: (1) A completed Department Approval Request for Extension of Program Form with the signature of the concerned department head, (2) A copy of the new offer letter showing amount and duration of support, and the new program end date.

A concerned personnel from the student's host department will need to fill this Google form with all relevant information and upload both of the above-mentioned documents.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO NOTE:

• If your (i.e. the J-1 student')s I-94 is marked with a "D/S," this means that the extension is complete.
• If the I-94 is marked with a specific end date and not "D/S," please contact IPS immediately. You may need to travel outside the US to complete your extension.
• Processing the extension may take up to 14 working days, so please apply in advance.

Please review all the information provided on the Rules for J-2 Dependents webpage.

Please visit this page for necessary information on how to proceed with changing your level or major. Feel free to contact IPS if you have any questions or concerns.

There are two ways to obtain F-1 status if you are already in the United States as a J-1 student:

1. You can submit an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. You may request admission to an F-1 program at Michigan Tech, and when you receive an acceptance letter and (F-1) I-20, you can return to your home country and apply for an F-1 visa from there.

Please refer this page for detailed information.

The 2-year home residency requirement is termed "212(e)" and it applies to some J-1 Exchange Visitors (EV). If you are subject to this requirement, it should be mentioned on your visa or at the bottom of your DS-2019.
For more information, refer to the Home Residency Requirement webpage.

Upon completion of your program, you and your J‐2 dependents are allowed a 30‐day grace period to depart the United States. It is critical that you depart the United States on time, prior to the end of your grace period. You are not authorized to work during the grace period.

• State of Michigan driver's license or state ID card
• Transferring to another school/university
• Travel information
• Tax information
• Graduation ceremony invitation support letter for family/friends in home country