Understanding& Maintaining J-1 Status

General Requirements to Maintain J-1 Status

  • Report Any Address or Phone Changes

    • You must update the International Services Office of any changes to the below information within 10 days of the change using the IS-10 Form.
      • U.S. residential address
      • Phone number
      • Email

  • Be Aware of Your Program End-Date

    • Your J-1 status in the U.S. is contingent on the end-date listed on your DS-2019 and I-94 record. While your J-1 visa can expire while you are inside the U.S., you must extend your J-1 status with International Services prior to your DS-2019 end-date if you will continue pursuing your program at Clemson University.

  • Maintain Program Objectives

    • J-1 exchange visitors are not permitted to have gaps in their program objectives. You must continue to pursue the program objectives listed on your DS-2019 throughout your J-1 program dates. If you will end your program early, or if you are unable to continue pursuing your program, you must notify International Services so your SEVIS record can be shortened. Exchange visitors are granted a 30-day grace period to depart the U.S. following the end of their J-1 program. 

  • Keep Your Passport Valid for Up to 6 Months in the Future

    • Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months in the future.

  • Keep Good Records

    • Save copies of all immigration documents you are issued throughout your program at Clemson. You may receive multiple DS-2019s throughout your program. While you will always use your most recently issued document, you need to save all previously issued documents. 

  • Obtain a Travel Signature Prior to Traveling Internationally

    • J-1 scholars, and any J-2 dependents, require a valid travel signature on their DS-2019 in order to re-enter the U.S. The travel signature is valid for 12 months and can be used for multiple entries to the U.S. To request a travel signature, please submit the international travel request to IS prior to your departure from the U.S. Review the recommended travel documents below.
      • Valid passport (unless you hold citizenship with one of these countries, it is required that the passport have at least 6 months of validity remaining in order to re-enter)
      • Non-expired J-1 visa
      • Valid DS-2019 form with a travel signature no older than one year
      • Clemson University Invitation Letter

  • Check Your I-94 Record

    • It is important to check your I-94 record each time you enter the U.S. to ensure you were admitted under the correct status. Any time you enter the U.S. be sure to hand your passport to the CBP official with your J visa showing, especially if you have multiple visas in your passport.

  • Maintain Health Insurance

    • All J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents are required to maintain insurance that meets the minimum requirements listed here. Failure to do so can result in the termination of your program and J status.

Understanding Your J-1 Status

The J-1 exchange visitor program was developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961. The purpose of the Act is to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.” The exchange visitor program cannot be used for permanent or tenure-track positions.

Review your Category Requirements

Each J-1 category is different. Please review our website to learn more about your specific category.

212(e) Two-Year Home Country Residency Requirement

You may be subject to the 212(e) two-year home country residency requirement, which would require you to spend a total of at least two years in your home country following the completion of your J program. To determine whether you are subject, please review the notes on your DS-2019 from the Consular official and/or your J visa. If you are unsure as to whether you are subject, you are encouraged to file an Advisory Opinion with Department of State. 

Exchange visitors must either spend two years in their home country or receive a waiver approval before becoming eligible for change of status, obtaining an immigrant-intent visa, or obtaining H, L, or K status. Exchange visitors who are subject to this requirement are eligible to travel to the U.S. under other nonimmigrant visa statuses.

12- and 24-Month Bars on Repeat Participation

The 12- and 24-month bars on repeat participation are different than the two-year home residency requirement listed above. These bars only impact exchange visitors wishing to return to the U.S. under the categories of research scholar or professor. You are not subject to these bars if you have never come to the U.S. under J status in the past. If you have been in the U.S. under J status before, you may be subject to the 12-month bar, 24-month bar, or no bar at all. Waivers of the 12- and 24-month bars are not possible.

  • Research Scholars and Their J-2 Dependents: If you have been in the U.S. as a J-1/J-2 research scholar or professor for any duration of time, you cannot return under the research scholar or professor category for a period of two years.
  • Other J Visa Holders Less Than 6 Months: All J-1/J-2 visa holders under other categories (not research scholar or professor) spending less than 6 months in the U.S. are not subject to any bars and can return to the U.S. under a research scholar or professor category with no restriction.
  • Other J Visa Holders More Than 6 Months: All J-1/J-2 visa holders under other categories (not research scholar or professor) spending more than 6 months in the U.S. are subject to the 12-month bar and can return to the U.S. under a research scholar or professor category 12 months after their previous J program ended.

U.S Department of State Resources

To learn more about the J Exchange Visitor Program, please read the U.S. Department of State's Welcome Brochure. You can also watch this short video or read the information posted on their website.

The Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration Academic and Government Programs (OPA-AG) monitors and enforces full compliance with Department regulations and policies with a focus on exchange visitor's health, safety, and well-being; and responds to complaints and incidents. At any point before coming to Clemson, or during the program, scholars should feel free to contact the DOS using the information below: