J-1 Student
J-1 visa regulations differ from F-1 visa regulations, as J-1 student please carefully read the following information to ensure that you are maintaining proper immigration requirements.
To enter the U.S. in J-1 status you will need the following:
- A valid passport
- An EMU issued DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility
- Students who are studying at EMU on a government-sponsored grant (for example, Fulbright) should have EMU listed as the primary site of activity on their DS-2019
- A valid J-1 visa (the visa stamp in your passport) issued by the U.S. embassy/consulate overseas
- Canadian citizens do not need U.S. visas
Please be advised that you may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start date in the DS-2019.
Mandatory Orientation
All new J-1 students will be emailed information about the required immigration orientation before they arrive to EMU. See the Orientation page for additional information. J-1 students are also encouraged to meet with an OISS advisor before the orientation to receive specific information regarding their J-1 status.
Maintaining J-1 Status
Maintaining status is necessary in order to receive the benefits of J-1 status such as employment and program extension, and can be crucial to a successful application for a change or adjustment of visa status in the future. Failure to maintain your non-immigrant status can result in serious problems and could lead to deportation from the US.
Please remember the following to maintain your status as a J-1 student:
- Keep your passport valid at least 6 months into the future, at all times
- Maintain a valid, unexpired DS-2019 at all times. This includes correct education level, major, current funding sources and correct personal data.
- Maintain full-time enrollment, attend classes and make normal progress toward your degree
- Undergraduate Students: Must take a minimum of 12 credits each semester, with at least 9 credits being in-person
- Graduate Students: Must take a minimum of 8 credits each semester, with at least 5 credits being in-person
- Graduate assistants: minimum eight credit hours per term
- Students may choose not to enroll during the spring and/or summer terms, unless it is your first term at EMU
- Update your Local Mailing Address in your my.emich account within 10 days of any move
- Maintain EMU's Health Insurance Plan
You should notify OISS when:
- You need additional time to complete your degree requirements
- If you have been granted any university scholarships or assistantships
- You wish to apply for on-campus or off-campus work authorization
J-2 Dependent(s)
Dependents are defined as spouse and minor children less than 21 years of age. Each dependent will have their own DS-2019, which will be used to obtain their J-2 visa at the U.S. embassy/consulate and for entry into the US. Persons in J-2 status able to apply to the U.S. government for employment authorization and may engage in full-time study.
Grace Period
When an J-1 student completes their academic program or Academic Training, they are allowed a 30-day grace period during which the J-1 student and any J-2 dependents may stay within the U.S., but are not allowed to work or to re-enter the U.S. in J status.
Taxes
J-1 students must file federal tax forms for every year they are inside the U.S., whether or not money was earned.
212(e) - Home Country Residency Requirement
This requirement states that if you have received funding from your home government or the U.S. government, or you are from a country on the U.S. Department of State "skills list", you may be subject to the Foreign Residency Requirement.
If you are subject to the requirement, you are unable to change your visa status in the United States. You are also unable to obtain an H, L or K visa or Permanent Status until you have spent an aggregate of two years in your home country. The requirement, however, does not prevent you from reentering the U.S. under other common visa categories, like F-student or B-tourist.