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J-1 Exchange Visitor

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Overview and Eligibility

J-1 Category Overview

For a list of UC San Diego appointment titles for which the J-1 can be requested, see PPM 200-16 "Supplement 1" (PDF). 

J-1 Exchange Visitor categories are usually the most appropriate classification for international visitors who come to UC San Diego temporarily to teach or engage in research.

J-1 Category Duration
J-1 Short Term Scholar
  • Maximum duration of 6 months
    • No extensions beyond this period will be allowed
J-1 Research Scholar/Professor
  • Maximum duration of up to 5 years
  • Will only authorize for current appointment duration but can be extended
  • Scholar will have 24-month bar against repeat participation in another Research Scholar/Professor J-1 program after completion of current program
J-1 Student Intern
  • Maximum duration of up to 12 months
  • For students who have not completed a bachelor's level degree program and are currently enrolled in one in their home country
  • If your prospective scholar has not completed a bachelor's level degree program and is currently enrolled in one in their home country, you must request the Student Intern category.
  • Student intern category has a J-1 Student Intern Evaluation requirement

Note: We will not support J-1 Staff Volunteer appointments for persons who would normally be appointed as Postdocs if they had sufficient funding or for Visiting Graduate Students who have exhausted their 2-year time limit, as this would be circumventing other institutional policies.

A visitor is not eligible for J status under the following circumstances:

1. If the scholar has completed a previous J program (e.g. Student, Specialist, Dependent, etc.) which lasted more than 6 months and is now requesting J status as a Research Scholar or Professor to start a new program. There must be a 12-month gap between the end date of the previous J1/J2 program and the start date of the new J program.
2. If the scholar has completed a previous J program in the Professor or Research Scholar category, they are subject to a 24-Month Bar that prohibits repeat participation in a new J program as a Professor or Research Scholar.
3. If the scholar has applied for U.S. Permanent Resident status (green card).
4. If the scholar has applied for a Waiver of the Two-Year Home Residence Rule and received approval notification from the U.S. Department of State or the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
5. If the position at UC San Diego is tenure track.
6. If the position entails clinical training (e.g., section 2111 or 2113 compliance with the state medical board is required in order to fulfill requirements of the position).

Processing Time and Cost

Standard processing time is up to 10 business days from receipt of a complete DS-2019 request and all required documentation, including the required recharge fee; a RUSH request will be processed within 5 days or less.

Initial requests: departments should allow at least 45 days between submission of the DS-2019 request to IFSO and the anticipated start date of the Exchange Visitor's program. This allows for mailing, SEVIS fee payment, visa application, visa processing--including any required background checks--and travel arrangements. IFSO will automatically push the start date back 45 days from receipt of the request or require a Rush fee. The department will need to be in close communication with IFSO in order to amend the anticipated start date of the Exchange Visitor based on the visa application process as it unfolds.

Description Fee Who Pays? Note
IFSO J-1 Request Fee (New and Extension) Payment via POET(AF):
  • Initial $579
  • Extension $386

or

Payment via Credit Card with overhead cost recovery:
  • Initial $662
  • Extension $442
 EITHER Department or J-1 Scholar

Department pays by recharge or scholar can pay by credit card.

Note: department must pay recharge for all postdoc appointments.
IFSO Rush Fee Payment via POET(AF):
  • $386

or

Payment via Credit Card with overhead cost recovery:
  • $442
 EITHER Department or J-1 Scholar Department pays by recharge or scholar can pay by credit card.
SEVIS Fee $220 EITHER Department or J-1 Scholar Normally, J-1 pays. Covers all J-2s and future extensions. Fee is paid to U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
Visa Fee (aka MRV Fee) $160 J-1 Scholar Each visa applicant must pay (J-1, J-2s) and for each subsequent visa. Fee is paid to U.S. embassy or consulate.
Visa Reciprocity Fee Variable J-1 Scholar Only applies in some countries.

IFSO's online recharge form aligns with the update in the UCSD Financial System (July 1, 2020), the addition of a two-tiered structure was implemented to reflect different rates applied based on source of funds--institutional or credit card/outside payments, per institutional policy regarding overhead cost recovery. 

J-1 fee resources:

IFSO Advisor Breakdown

IFSO immigration advisors work on cases according to the Scholar's last name; for additional information, please contact the immigration advisor assigned to the Scholar's last name.

Scholar Surname/Family/Last Name Advisor Name  Advisor Email Advisor Meeting Scheduling Calendar
A - G Dalia Alshamas dalshamas@ucsd.edu Schedule Meeting with Dalia
H - N Marie Manlapaz dmanlapaz@ucsd.edu Schedule Meeting with Marie 
O - W Roark Miller rtmiller@ucsd.edu  Schedule Meeting with Roark 
X - Z Nallely Garcia nallely@ucsd.edu  Schedule Meeting with Nallely
Administrative Support:

12-Month and 24-Month Bars

Regulations restrict repeat participation in J programs; visit IFSO's webpage Regulations Restricting Repeat J-1 Participation for information regarding the 12-Month and 24-Month Bars.

212e - Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to spend two years in their home country after their J program ends; visit IFSO's webpage Two-Year Home Country Residence Requirement (212e) for additional information regarding criteria to determine if a scholar is subject, waiver process, etc.

J-1 Resources

Form I-9

Only J-1 employees at UC San Diego should complete I-9 forms. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) provides I-9 instructions in their Handbook for Employers (M-274), identifying the List A document to include “an unexpired foreign passport AND Form I-94 indicating J-1 nonimmigrant status AND Form DS-2019 with the responsible officer’s endorsement.” Only a DS-2019 issued by UC San Diego, or a DS-2019 issued by another organization listing UC San Diego as funding source or site of activity (e.g., Fulbright-issued DS-2019), will meet I-9 requirements. For explicit instructions, see:

Note: a UC San Diego-issued DS-2019 cannot be used for I-9 purposes when the scholar has not yet entered the U.S., as they will not have an I-94 document; persons changing status must also have an I-94 indicating "J-1" status on their change of status approval notice.

Please contact ischolars@ucsd.edu if you have any questions.

English Language Proficiency

The Department of State requires scholars to have “sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in their program and to function on a day-to-day basis." [22 CFR 62.11(a)(2)].

The International Faculty & Scholars Office has a detailed list of which evidence can be accepted as proof of English language proficiency: Proof of English Proficiency.

Please Note: ALL scholars will need to submit this proof, even if their home country's primary language is English or if their native language is English.

Minimum Financial Support

While federal regulations do not stipulate a minimum amount of financial resources required to support an Exchange Visitor during their program in the U.S., they do require that Exchange Visitor Programs determine that enough funding exists for the Exchange Visitor to carry out their program activity successfully without needing additional employment.

The International Faculty & Scholars Office has determined that, in the absence of other minimum amounts stipulated, the following minimum monthly financial support is required:

  • Single: $2,400
  • Accompanying J-2 spouse: $800/month additional
  • Accompanying J-2 child: $400/month additional per child

Proof of funding is required and must be shown to cover the J-1 program's full duration. 

See our detailed funding documentation instructions.

Health Insurance

Visitors in J-1 and J-2 statuses are required to maintain health insurance coverage that meets U.S. Department of State requirements for their program duration as a condition of their participation in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. 

The minimum requirements are listed on page two of the DS-2019; the minimum is intended to provide catastrophic health insurance coverage while on the J-1 program.

Quick Guide:
  • Postdoc Offered Plans: Provide comprehensive coverage and meet all the requirements noted on page two of the DS-2019, including the Supplemental Medical Evacuation and Repatriation (MER).
  • Gallagher (Garnett Powers) plans: Meet all the minimum requirements noted on page two of the DS-2019, including the Supplemental Medical Evacuation and Repatriation (MER). There are three plans to choose from; however, the plans are all intended to provide catastrophic health coverage. The plans may not include vaccine coverage, require pre-certification for doctors visits, and may not include preventative care coverage.
  • UC San Diego offered Health Insurance plans: Provide comprehensive health coverage that meet almost all the requirements noted on page two of the DS-2019. Supplemental Medical Evacuation and Repatriation (MER) coverage will need to be purchased.
    • CORE Plan is not compliant with federal regulations, even if Supplemental MER coverage is purchased.
  • Alternate Health Insurance plans: Scholars are welcome to purchase an alternate plan, however they will have to submit a waiver with Gallagher, as they will verify for UC San Diego/IFSO that the health insurance meets all the requirements noted on page two of the DS-2019.

Direct scholars to contact ifsoinsurance@ucsd.edu if they have any questions.

Medical Scholars: Five-Point Statement

NOTE: UC San Diego's Exchange Visitor Program may not be used for J-1s in clinical training opportunities; all J-1 clinical training programs for foreign medical graduates must be overseen by the Educational Commission on Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), which issues the Form DS-2019 using the category of Alien Physician. Any position requiring full compliance with the licensure regulations of the Medical Board of California (e.g., section 2111 or 2113) is not appropriate for J-1 sponsorship through the UC San Diego Exchange Visitor program. The H-1B classification may be used in certain circumstances; see policy for International Medical Scholars.   

Any foreign medical graduate pursuing a J-1 Research Scholar/Professor program in the United States that involves incidental patient contact must apply for their J-1 visa with the "Five-Point Statement" (see below) appended to their application materials.

The International Faculty & Scholars Office will attach this Five-Point Statement to the Certificate of Eligibility for a J-1 Visa (Form DS-2019) it issues to the prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor. This statement must be signed off by the Dean of the School or Medicine or their designee.

The wording of the Five-Point Statement is prescribed by federal regulation at 22 CFR § 62.27(c) (iii), and is reviewed by consular officers at the time of visa application and by immigration inspectors at the port of entry to the United States.

See IFSO's ISD instructions for more information regarding how to submit/complete the 5pt statement.

Pickup & Shipping Instructions

There are now three options for providing the Form DS-2019 to the scholar, please review and select your options here:

See: https://ifso.ucsd.edu/_visa/shipping.html

Note: Departments must pay shipping for postdoctoral appointments.

 

Submit Requests to IFSO via International Scholar Dossier (ISD)

Obtaining Access to ISD

Department contacts must attend a one-time training via UC Learning to obtain access to ISD. For information regarding obtaining access visit IFSO's ISD webpage. 

For ISD instructions and resources visit IFSO's ISD webpage. 

Gather Required Documents

Note

List below is for quick reference. All required supporting documentation will need to be uploaded to ISD by the scholar and department contact. Please review the detailed information in the Scholar ISD instructions and Department ISD instructions.
Initial Requests (including transfer-in from other institution): Extension Request 
 Amendment Request
  • Evidence will depend on the reason for the amendmentm typically updated proof of funding and a new appointment letter are necessary.

Amendment - Date Change (prior to scholar arrival at UCSD)

Department can submit date amendments by updating the relative date fields in ISD. Detailed instructions are included in the Department amendment ISD instructions page under the section "Amendment - Date Change (prior to scholar arrival at UCSD)."

  • No recharge fee or request form is required. 
  • Allow at least 5 business days for processing. 
  • We are unable to backdate the Start Date on a scholar's DS-2019; therefore we kindly ask that you date any new Start Date at least 5 days into the future upon submission
    • If it is an urgent request for a Start Date less than 5 days away, you should contact the advisor processing the request or ifsoisd@ucsd.edu.  

Amendment After Scholar Arrival to U.S. (Not a Date Amendment)

All changes in site of activity, funding amounts or sources, and/or significant changes in job duties, must be reported to the International Faculty & Scholars Office through ISD. 

Detailed instructions are included in the Department amendment ISD instructions page under the section "Amendment After Scholar Arrival to U.S. (Not a Date Amendment)."

Please note: No recharge fee or request form is required. 

Extension

Departments can submit J-1 Extensions by updating relevant field information in ISD. Detailed instructions are included in the Department extension ISD instructions page. 

The extension end date cannot exceed the new appointment end date. 

Please note: No request form necessary.

J-2 Request (After J-1 DS-2019 Issuance)

Typically, J-2 DS-2019’s are requested with the Initial and Extension Application for the primary scholar. However, there are instances where a J-2 DS-2019 may need to be requested after the J-1 DS-2019 issuance.

Please have the scholar view the Scholar ISD J-2 Request Instructions.

J-1 Student-Intern Category

Student Intern category is for or students who have not completed a bachelor's level degree program and are currently enrolled in one in their home country. If your prospective scholar has not completed a bachelor's level degree program and is currently enrolled in one in their home country, you must request the Student Intern category.

The following eligibilities must be met:
  • The scholar must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside the U.S.
  • The scholar must be fulfilling educational objectives for their current degree program.
  • The scholar must plan to return to their home institution as an enrolled student after their J-1 program in the U.S.
  • The internship program at UCSD must be at least 32 hours/week and cannot include more than 20% clerical work.
Required IFSO Request forms to be submitted via ISD:

This J-1 Student Intern category requires additional documentation. During the ISD submission process for a J-1 Student Intern, the department will be required to complete fields in ISD for a DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan. This information will be submitted to IFSO, who will then issue an official Form DS-7002 along with the DS-2019.

This official Form DS-7002 T/IPP must be signed by the scholar's supervisor as noted on the form before it is mailed to the scholar abroad, who must also sign it. This signed form will be requried by the US Consulate, along with the DS-2019, to issue the J-1 visa.

Note: During COVID-19 social distancing, if it is not possible for the supervisor to sign the DS-7002 T/IPP, it is recommended that the supervisor write a statement that they approve of the information on the DS-7002 T/IPP and send it to the scholar electronically. The scholar could then have this when applying for the J-1 visa since the DS-7002 will be missing the supervisor signature.

For processing instructions see the Supplemental Student Intern ISD instructions.

IFSO Review of Information and Issuance of Documents

IFSO Advisors will review all the information and documents submitted with this record. If anything is missing from the department or the scholar, we will be in contact with the scholar and/or the departmental administrator. Within ten days of a complete submission request, IFSO will issue the Form DS-2019 and ship it according to the label provided by the department/scholar.

An email notification of shipment with tracking number and SEVIS information will be sent to the scholar and deparment contact.

J-1 Maintain Status, Completion, Departure or Separation

Student Intern Required Evaluation

The J-1 Student Intern category requires the submission of a written evaluation of the scholar's performance.

  • If the program is less than 6 months, we will require only one final evaluation
    • The evaluation should be submitted towards the end of the program.
  • If the program is longer than 6 months, we will require two evaluations
    • At both the midway and final points.

This evaluation should be submitted via ISD by the scholar. Our template may be used or the supervisor and scholar can create their own evaluation.

Leave of Absence Authorization

All J-1 scholars who will be out of the country for more than 30 days for business should notify the International Faculty & Scholars Office (IFSO). For additional leave of absence information visit IFSO's webpage Leave of Absence Authorization for information regarding requirements and how to request. 

Occasional Lectures and Consultations

Scholars may receive payment for occasional lectures or short-term consultations at another institution or company, provided certain requirements are met, and only with employment authorization from IFSO. View the requirements and how to request authorization on IFSO's webpage Occasional Lectures and Consultations.

J-1 Program Completion

Scholars/Departments are obligated to notify us when a J-1 Exchange Visitor completes their program.

See Department Separation/Departure instructions regarding how to notify IFSO via ISD.

Transfer Out from UCSD

IFSO should be notified if the scholar will be transfering to another institution and IFSO will have to communicate with the internatonal scholar office at the new institution to request the transfer of a scholar record.

The IFSO standard processing time is approximately 10 business days. Scholar should also notify IFSO if they plan to travel outside of the U.S. while the transfer is pending. 

Note: If a scholar would like to transfer into UC San Diego, you will need to submit an initial J-1 request via ISD.The IFSO standard processing time is approximately 10 business days from the receipt of a completed J-1 request and 5 business days with RUSH processing.