The International Faculty & Scholars Office (IFSO) is here to provide you with immigration advising for maintaining your legal status, as well as providing programs and advising that will help you not only adjust to living in the U.S. but to engage in rewarding experiences to remember for a lifetime. If you have any questions, feel free to schedule an appointment with one of our IFSO scholar advisors. We hope that your visit will prove rewarding, both professionally and personally.
Maintaining one’s immigration status is the main responsibility of the nonimmigrant – you! In general, a nonimmigrant must maintain the following documents:
All international Faculty and Scholars must notify IFSO of address changes within 10 days of the information changing, per immigration regulations.
Step 1: Notify IFSO of your change in address or contact information via International Scholar Dossier (ISD)Step 2: If you have not done so already, contact your department to ensure your contact information is updated on the UC San Diego systems (e.g. UC Path)
Step 3: J-1 Faculty and Scholars: You have met your regulatory requirement. IFSO will update your J-1 SEVIS record.
Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are required to spend two years in the aggregate in their home residence country after their J program (time spent in other countries does NOT count). If you are subject to this requirement, you cannot apply for H, L, or permanent residence status unless you either return to your home country for two years or obtain a waiver of the requirement.
You also cannot change to another non-immigrant status while in the United States, except to A status (diplomatic or government official) or G status (international organization). You may apply for a different nonimmigrant visa (except H or L) at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S.
Contact your IFSO advisor before applying for the waiver to discuss timing, as once you receive the waiver you cannot extend your current J program.
J-1 Exchange Visitors can also be subject to a 12-or 24-month bar restricting repeat participation in J program.
Note: the 24-month bar is different than the 212e two year home residency requirement that some scholars may be subject to.
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. Your department administrator will need to submit an amendment request via ISD on your behalf, so please speak to your departmental contact first.
Employment:
You are authorized to stay in the U.S. to pursue full-time the program activity outlined on your DS-2019 at the site of activity(ies) requested by your sponsoring department (sites of activity do not display on the DS-2019). You may not work anywhere else without prior approval from the International Faculty & Scholars Office (IFSO). If you stop pursuing your program activity, your status ends as well.
Job Changes:
If there are proposed changes in your program activity, your funding sources, your site of activity, your department or institution, or your job title, you must report them to IFSO; an amended DS-2019 may be required.
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.
Scholars may receive payment for occasional lectures or short-term consultations at another institution or company, provided that specific requirements are met and an off-campus activity request form is submitted and approved.
Typically, J-2 DS2019's are issued at the same time as a J-1 request.
If your family will be joining you after your J-1 DS-2019 has already been issued. You may submit a request for IFSO to issue the J-2 DS-2019 via ISD.
Please read through IFSOs Travel Webpage for information regarding documents required for travel and additional travel considerations.
Travel Outside the U.S. for More Than 30 Days
A leave of absence notification is required if your travel is for business and over 30 days or, your travel is personal and over 60 days.
Subscribe to the Bi-Weekly E-News for International Faculty, Scholars, and Dependents! The E-News includes immigration updates, workshops, and upcoming event information.