1. MAINTAINING YOUR J-1 VISA STATUS
International Scholar Services
Office of International Programs (OIP)
The University of Texas at San Antonio
2. Welcome to
The University of Texas at San Antonio
We hope your stay at
UTSA is enjoyable and
successful!
3. Important Things to Remember Regarding
your J-1 Visa Status
While in the United States on a J-1 visa, you need to know and
understand the following important information to maintain your
immigration status.
4. Local U.S. Address
Change in local U.S. address must be reported
to International Scholar Services within 10
days such change occurs.
Failure to report such change may negatively
effect your J-1 visa status.
Report change of address using the provided
url:
http://international.utsa.edu/forms/change-of-
address-form/
5. Passport Maintenance
Passport must be valid at all times
Passport renewal must be reported
to International Scholar Services
Passport should be valid for at least
six months into the future
Check your expiration date!
Don’t forget to renew you passport well ahead of time.
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6. I-94 Form
I-94 Form is a Record of your Arrival/Departure, which
permits you to remain in the U.S. It is valid for “D/S”
(Duration of Status), e.g., until the end date noted on the
DS-2019 Form or the end of your program, whichever
comes first, as long as you follow the regulations. The I-
94 Form is also used in conjunction with a valid passport
to determine employment eligibility.
7. I-94 Form
I-94 Form can be given to you as a white card or you
can print it using US Customs & Border Protection
web-site upon arrival to the United States.
If your I-94 Form is in the form of a card, please affix
the card to your passport. If you lose your I-94 Form,
you can re-print it using US Customs & Border
Protection web-site.
Use this link to print your I-94 Form:
https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html
10. Visa Stamp
Unless you are a Canadian citizen, a valid visa stamp is
required in your passport in order to enter or re-enter the
U.S. from abroad. However, it does not need to be valid for
the length of your stay inside of the U.S.
Visa stamp can only be obtained or renewed at a U.S.
Consulate or Embassy.
Most J-1 visitors are issued visas with multiple (“M”) entries.
This allows you to travel in and out of the United States as
you deem appropriate without having to obtain a new visa
each time you seek to re-enter the U.S.
12. DS-2019 Form
This form is the Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 Exchange Visitor. It is
your responsibility to maintain this document current and active
(unexpired) while you are engaged in any J-1 visa program activities in the
United States with or without any compensation.
The form has your unique identification number called SEVIS Number (in
the right hand corner). SEVIS is an abbreviation of the Student Exchange
Visitor Information System.
14. Extension
If program extension is needed, DS-2019 Form must be renewed by
International Scholar Services as per request of the UTSA sponsoring
department.
J-1 Program Extension Form can be found at:
http://international.utsa.edu/forms/exchange-visitor-extension/
Extension request must be submitted well ahead of the DS-2019 Form
program expiration date.
Failure to apply for extension may result in the loss of J-1 status.
15. Health Insurance
Regulations require all persons holding J-1 visas, and their
accompanying J-2 dependents while they are in the United States, to
be covered by health insurance which meets the following minimum
standards:
Medical Benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness with a
deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
Repatriation of remains coverage in the amount of $25,000.
Expenses associated with medical evacuation to the home country
in the amount of $50,000.
It is the J visa holder’s responsibility to maintain and provide proof of
the required insurance coverage.
16. Employment Authorization
You may work with or without compensation providing that it is
directly related to your program requirements.
Employment must end by the program end date noted on the
form DS-2019.
Unauthorized employment is not permitted and may negatively
effect J-1 visa status.
17. Travel
J-1/J-2 visa holders must have a valid (unexpired)
passport, valid visa and current (valid) DS-2019 that has
been endorsed (signed) by a representative at
International Scholar Services in order to re-enter the U.S.
after a trip abroad.
Please contact International Scholar Services to request
travel signature prior to scheduled departure.
Traveling outside of the U.S. without an authorized ISS
signature may negatively effect your J-1 visa status.
18. Occasional Lectures/ Consultations
Research scholars/professors may participate in
occasional lectures and/or short-term
consultations with prior approval of International
Scholar Services.
Please contact International Scholar Services for
questions/guidance.
19. Concurrent Academic Enrollment
Concurrent academic enrollment is available only with department
sponsor’s written consent and authorization from International Scholar
Services. Coursework undertaken must directly relate to your J-1 program
participation.
Please contact International Scholar Services for questions/guidance.
20. Program Completion
At the program completion your sponsoring UTSA
department must fill in and return “End of Program
Form”.
Please contact International Scholar Services to
receive this form.
J-1 Program Completion Form can be found at:
http://international.utsa.edu/forms/report-end-of-j-
1-exchange-visitors-program/
21. Grace Period
If you will not be extending your stay in the U.S., you have 30 days after
the expiration date on DS-2019 OR the date your program ends,
whichever is earlier, to leave the U.S.
During this grace period, you are permitted to engage in activities similar
to those of a tourist, but you are not permitted to work or earn money.
There is no grace period for someone who terminates their program more
than thirty days prior to the noted end date on the form DS-2019.
22. Transfer or Changes in Employment
You must notify International Scholar Services well in advance of any
changes in your employment situation or transfer to another institution.
Please discuss it with the International Scholar Services Advisor.
23. Social Security Card
If you receive payment, you must obtain
a Social Security card. The letter from our
office will be provided, if necessary.
Social Security Card is not necessary for
individuals employed without
compensation.
24. Taxes
People who work in the U.S. must file an annual income tax return,
regardless of where their income originates or whether they are eligible
for a tax treaty benefit.
Please contact Nnennaya Ikwuagwu/Payroll Services at:
Nnennaya.Ikwuagwu@utsa.edu to schedule an appointment or call at:
210-458-8024. Appointment is mandatory, if you are a paid employee at
UTSA.
25. J-2 Dependents/J-2 Employment
You can request the issuance of J-2 Certificate of Eligibility for your
spouse and un-married children under 21 years old.
J-2 Dependent Form can be found at:
http://international.utsa.edu/forms/dependent-ds-2019/
International Scholar Services can provide you the information on
how a J-2 visa holder may apply to the U.S. Citizenship and
Immigration Services (U.S.CIS) for an Employment Authorization
Document (EAD) that allows him or her to work. Please refer to our
handout at: http://international.utsa.edu/forms/j-2-employment/
The income will be taxed, even if the J-1 has a tax treaty benefit.
