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U-M Department Administrators
Frequently Asked Questions About J Status

J-1 Basics

Travel/Visas

Family/Visitors

Employment/Taxes

Extension/Ending Program

What is a J-1 exchange visitor?
International Center is designated by U.S. Department of State as an Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor. Exchange Visitor is the title of a J-1 status holder, which is a U.S. non-immigrant classification. We often also refer to an Exchange Visitor as “EV”, “J-1”, or “visiting scholar”. The J-1 exchange visitor status allows temporary educational exchange (which may be either paid or self-funded) in the United States. If you want to invite a scholar to participate at your department in J-1 status, you would request a Form DS-2019 immigration document from International Center.
What is a DS-2019?
The Form DS-2019 is a certificate of eligibility of J-1 status. It is issued by International Center through the Department of Homeland Security's SEVIS system. The DS-2019 allows a person to request a J-1 visa to enter the U.S. The DS-2019 also determines the length of a J-1's legal stay in the U.S. You can find the request form to obtain the DS-2019 immigration document for J-1 status, U-M Department Responsibilities when hosting J-1 Exchange Visitors, and General Information and Instructions about the DS-2019 and J-1 status on our J-1 Visitor page (Authorized Use Only).
How does a person become a J-1 exchange visitor (scholar)?
The department at University of Michigan wishing to host the person requests a Form DS-2019 from International Center by submitting a DS-2019 request form. A designated departmental administrative contact person enters DS-2019 information in M-Pathways. The International Center transmits this information to the Department of Homeland Security SEVIS database, thereby generating the Form DS-2019, which is returned to the hosting department who mails the DS-2019 to the Exchange Visitor. A $100 SEVIS I-901 fee must be paid and then the scholar should go to an appointment at the U.S. consulate for the J-1 visa. The Exchange Visitor applies for J-1 visa (another fee is required, at least $100) at the consulate. When the visa is approved the Exchange Visitor can enter the U.S. with the DS-2019 and J-1 visa up to one month before the start date of the DS-2019. When Exchange Visitor has arrived to the U.S., he/she must attend J-1 check-in program at International Center and enroll in mandatory health insurance (for J-1 and any J-2 dependents). For more information about the J-1 Exchange Visitor process, visit Hosting a J-1 Exchange Visitor.
What is the 2 year rule or 212(e)?
Under specific circumstances, J-1 and J-2 status holders may incur a two-year home physical presence requirement. If one is subject to the rule, this means that he/she is not eligible to change to H, L or Permanent Residency (PR) classification without first returning to the home country for a total of 2 years. A waiver of this requirement can be applied for and obtained in specific circumstances. If the two year rule applies, changing status from J to another non-immigrant classification (such as F-1) in the United States is prohibited. Two year rule does NOT prohibit one from returning to the U.S. in any classification besides H, L, or PR.
What is the health insurance requirement?
All J-1 exchange visitors and accompanying J-2 dependents at the University of Michigan are required to have health insurance coverage that meets the University's standards at all times. The exchange visitor will be required to enroll in our Aetna Student Health insurance program at the mandatory immigration check-in program for the J-1 and any J-2 in the U.S. If the scholar will receive health insurance coverage through University Benefits, the Aetna Student Health insurance can be cancelled once the scholar enrolls in Benefits and the Benefits have begun. If the scholar holds insurance from home country, he/she will have the opportunity to apply for a waiver of the mandatory health insurance at a later time. In order for a waiver to be granted, the health insurance coverage must be proven to meet specific mandatory standards.
What is the “check-in” requirement? Do we need to do anything if the scholar will be delayed in arrival?
The check-in requirement is linked to the start date of the SEVIS DS-2019. We must report the arrival of the J-1 in SEVIS within the first 30 days after the document begins. If an exchange visitor is delayed and will enter U.S. more than fifteen days after the DS-2019 start date you should request an “amendment” of the DS-2019 so that the start date is changed to a later date. You may call our office to register your newly arrived scholar for a check-in program or the scholar may visit our office. The Mandatory Check-In program is held on Monday afternoons, is two hours in duration and covers orientation, health insurance, and the immigration requirements.
What is the time period that a J-1 exchange visitor scholar may enter and leave the U.S.?
The scholar may enter U.S. to begin J-1 status no more than thirty days before the start date of the DS-2019. J-1 exchange visitors are usually granted admission for “duration of status” which is noted as D/S on the I-94 card. With duration of status granted, a J-1 has a thirty day grace period to depart the U.S. after the expiration of the DS-2019. J-2 dependents must depart before or with the J-1.
What can we do if a J-1 scholar applies for a visa and it is denied or delayed?
The University of Michigan is committed to assisting our international students and scholars when possible, through our Visa Assistance Program. If your exchange visitor contacts you to notify you that he/she has experienced a visa delay or denial, please ask him/her to fill out the on-line the Visa Assistance Web Form. The information gathered in this form will be sent to a U-M email group. The members of this group will take all possible steps to assist the scholar with U-M related matters including employment. The U-M can also assist with suggestions and recommendations about best practices regarding visa requests and will advise on next steps.
Do you have any information on housing, schools, transportation, etc, which may aid the J-1 scholar and his/her family members?
Yes, we do have many resources on life in Ann Arbor to help ease the transition.
How does a scholar travel and re-enter the US or renew the J visa?
Please refer to detailed information on our website about travel and visa application for further details. The U.S. visa (stamp or sticker in your passport) is a travel document which allows entry to the United States with a valid DS-2019. The scholar only needs to have a valid J visa when re-entering the U.S.; the scholar may remain in the U.S. with the valid DS-2019. If the scholar plans to travel and re-enter the U.S. from abroad after the visa has expired, the scholar needs to apply for a new visa before he/she re-enters U.S. The scholar can only apply for the visa outside the country at a U.S. Consulate.
How can a J-1 scholar have a family member/friend/colleague visit the U.S.?
Spouse and children under 21 of the J-1 exchange visitor are eligible for J-2 dependent status. You or the scholar may request DS-2019 from International Center for J-2 dependents during the program. Family members or friends who are NOT children under 21 or spouse of the J-1 exchange visitor should apply for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa which allows eligibility visit the United States temporarily for tourism or business purposes. Family members from certain countries may be eligible to travel to the U.S. for visits of up to 90 days without a B-1/B-2 visa through the U.S. Department of State Visa Waiver Program. It is recommended that the scholar give his/her family members a letter of invitation to document the purpose of their visit. Refer to Family Visitors to the U.S. for an invitation letter template and more details on the visa application requirements.
Is it permissible for a J-1 scholar to work/receive payment outside the University of Michigan?
In addition to employment at the University of Michigan related to the J-1 objective, J-1 visiting scholars and professors may be eligible to be authorized for incidental employment directly related to the J-1 objective, such as providing occasional lectures or consulting. Incidental employment should be approved by the U-M International Center prior to the activity. For more information, refer to Incidental Employment for J-1 Visiting Scholars and Professors.
My department has decided to continue sponsorship of a J-1 scholar longer than the current DS-2019. How can we extend the program?
The exchange visitor may be eligible for “extension” of your Form DS-2019 if he/she has not reached the maximum duration of the J category (see section 4 of the DS-2019) and has not applied for and received a waiver of the 2 year rule. You, the sponsoring department, would submit an extension request to International Center. Extension requests should be submitted well in advance of the DS-2019 expiration. For more information on program duration and extension you may contact icenter@umich.edu The maximum length of program for Short-term Scholar is six months, for Specialist one year, for Professors and Research Scholars five years.
Do we need to do anything when a J-1 scholar leaves the country?
If the scholar will return home and is ending participation more than one month before the end date of the current DS-2019, the end of the program should be reported to International Center by submitting our Departure Form. The scholar may also need to cancel health insurance if leaving early. If the scholar is leaving within one month of the end date of the DS-2019, no action is required.
Our scholar has tax questions that we don't know the answer to. Do you have advice regarding taxes?
U-M International Center staff members are not authorized to give advice regarding taxes. We do have some helpful information about taxes, tax preparation, ITIN, or tax treaty questions at Taxes and Social Security. Internal Revenue Service is the U.S. department in charge of taxes; paper forms and information can be found on their site. CINTAX tax preparation software is available free of charge to any international scholar with a U-M uniqname and password. Assistance is available via CINTAX online help (click on Online Help at the bottom of any screen) or by emailing the CINTAX Support Center at support@cintax.us. Some tax information, assistance in filling out tax forms, and W-2s for U-M employees and students may be obtained from the U-M Payroll Office. Their website includes information on reporting scholarship/fellowship and tax treaties/taxation.
Who is required to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and when?
The Department of Homeland Security requires a fee of $100 for all new J-1 program applicants to cover the costs of the operation of the SEVIS program. If a future scholar is issued a new DS-2019 for beginning a new program he/she must pay I-901 SEVIS fee. Transfer, extension, or other updates to the original DS-2019 do not require SEVIS fee. You can read more information on our website at What to Expect When Traveling and go to the official website for SEVIS fee information and payment. Some departments choose to pay this fee on behalf of the exchange visitor but it is optional. If you do want to pay the fee, you must have a copy of the Form DS-2019 because info such as the ID number is required. After SEVIS fee payment, a receipt should be printed. The scholar should carry it to visa interview and when traveling to U.S.
Can a medical doctor be sponsored in J-1 status?
U-M International Center is authorized to issue DS-2019 to Alien Physicians (M.D.s) to enable them to come to the U.S. for the primary activity of observation, consultation, teaching, or research. They can participate in non-clinical exchange program, either with NO PATIENT CONTACT OR CARE, or where patient contact is only INCIDENTAL to the primary activity. M.D.s with direct patient contact must be sponsored by ECFMG.

Examples of acceptable activities that involve no patient contact or incidental patient contact:
  • Doing a diagnostic examination in the presence of a senior physician who repeats the exam or ensures at every step that it is done correctly and the proper diagnostic information is obtained.
  • Being present during therapies and treatment with opportunities for hands-on experience in ways that do not compromise the care of the patient.
  • Being present in the operating room and having limited patient contact, but not performing procedures.

In order for an alien physician to be sponsored by University of Michigan's J-1 program, the department must provide written and signed documentation as stated below:
  • If no patient contact or care is involved: “This letter certifies that the program in which (EV's name, M.D.) is to be engaged is solely for the purpose of observation, consultation, teaching, or research and that no element of patient care services is involved.”
  • If incidental patient contact or care is involved: “This letter certifies that the program in which (EV's name, M.D.) will participate is predominantly involved with observation, consultation, teaching and research. Any incidental patient contact involving Dr. (EV) will be under the direct supervision of a physician who is a U.S. citizen or resident alien and who is licensed to practice medicine in the State of Michigan. Dr. (EV) will not be given final responsibility for the diagnosis and treatment of patients. Any activities of Dr. (EV) will conform fully with the State Licensing requirements and regulations for medical and health care professionals in the State of Michigan. Any experience gained in this program will not be creditable towards any clinical requirements for medical specialty board certification.”
I have more questions. How can I contact International Center?
You may email questions to icenter@umich.edu for response by one of our International Student/Scholar Advisors. You also can call our Front Desk (734.764.9310, press 0 for the Receptionist) to ask questions via telephone. If no advisor is currently available, your phone call will be returned as soon as possible.

Last reviewed: 10/07