Presentation Transcript
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program: US Forest Service
International Programs Presented by
Brenda Dean, International Visitor Program Coordinator The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program: The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
Developed to implement the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act)-1961
Objective:
“To increase mutual understanding
between the people of the United States
and the people of other countries
by means of
educational and cultural exchanges.”
What you need to know…: What you need to know… Overview of the J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Program
J-1 EV Program Categories
Entry, Arrival & Immigration Documents
Travel outside the USA
How to Maintain your “J” Status
Insurance, Address changes, Program Activities & limitations (Employment)
J-2 Dependents
2-year Home Residency Requirement - 212(e)
Program Completion or Extensions
Departure Reports, 30-day grace period
Categories of J-1 Exchange Visitors: Categories of J-1 Exchange Visitors Academic
Government Visitor*
International Visitor
Professor
Research Scholar*
Short-Term Scholar*
Specialist*
Students
(College/University)
Students (secondary)
Teacher (secondary)
Private Sector
Alien Physician
Au Pair
Camp Counselor
Summer Work/Travel
Trainee
Note: All categories have different purposes, rules & time limitations. *The US Forest Service sponsors visitors in the four underlined.
Educational Exchange Activities with the Forest Service : Educational Exchange Activities with the Forest Service Government Visitors
Visits/Tours
Meetings
Workshops/Seminars
Max Program: 18 months
Research Scholars
Collaborative Research
Lectures, Consultations
Max Program: 5 years Specialists
Observation
Demonstrations
Consultations
Max Program: 12 months
Short-Term Scholars
Collaborative Research
Lectures, Consultations
Max Program: 6 months
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Agencies & Organizations: The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Agencies & Organizations
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Agencies & Organizations: The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Agencies & Organizations The relationships among agencies are complex and often confusing to visitors.
Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status: Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status
Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status: Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status Issued through SEVIS –Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for the purpose of tracking EV activities (SEVIS # - Box 1)
by Program Sponsor’s (Box 2)
Responsible Officer (RO) or
Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) (Box 7)
to a specific individual (Exchange Visitor) who meets program eligibility criteria (Box 1)
Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status: Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status for a specific Program, Field & Category (Box 4)
for which sufficient Funding has been demonstrated (Box 5)
for the specific Program Period (Box 3).
Consular Officials (DOS)
review the form and grant J-1 visas. (Box 6)
Border Patrol & Customs Officials (DHS) permit entry into the USA in J-1 Status.
Passports & J-1 Visas: Passports & J-1 Visas Passport must be valid 6 months into the future at all times
J-1 Visa issued by US Consular Officer
Visa Number - (in red)
Lengths of Validity Differ
If you exit the USA, you must have valid passport, visa & DS-2019 to re-enter in J status Familiarize yourself with the processes and timelines for
Passport renewal
Application for new visa (exiting & re-entering)
Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Card: Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Card Issued by Customs & Border Patrol Official at Port of Entry
Serves as proof of entry & immigration status
Defines Length of Stay –
J-1 EVs should have “D/S” stamped on I-94, passport and DS-2019 – DURATION OF STATUS
(Duration of Stay – Duration of Status) Keep this card stapled in your passport – It is an important record!
Will be taken from you as you exit the country (Exception – some travel to Canada and Mexico)
Travel: Travel DS-2019 must be endorsed (signed) for travel by RO/ARO (Box in lower right hand corner - Complete request form online)
Endorsement valid 12 months
Must have valid Visa & Passport to re-enter
Exceptions – Canada and Mexico – Ask IP before traveling!
ALWAYS CONSULT INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE BEFORE
TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE USA
Responsibilities: Responsibilities
Exchange Visitors/ J-1 Visa Holders
must:
Engage in Cultural Exchange Activities
Participate in Educational Activities
Maintain “J-1 Status”
(Abide by all immigration & Program policies)
Cross-cultural Activities: Cross-cultural Activities Experience anything typical or representative of North American societies and cultures
Interact with American friends & colleagues
Take part in Forest Service activities
Participate in Community activities
Cross-cultural Activities: Cross-cultural Activities Experience anything typical or representative of North American societies and cultures
Interact with American friends & colleagues
Take part in Forest Service activities
Participate in Community activities
Maintaining “J” Status: Maintaining “J” Status Engage in approved program activities as designated by the US Forest Service
Have mandatory insurance coverage for self and all dependents
Provide new addresses/contact info with in 10 days of any change of location
Do not perform any activity outside the approved program activities
Insurance Requirements: Insurance Requirements Cover illness and accidents
$50,000 minimum
$500 deductible
$10,000 medical evacuation
$7,500 repatriation of remains Mandatory for J-1 Visa Holders
Contact Information: Contact Information Notify IP of new address/contact information within 10 days of a change! – SEVIS
Complete Change of Address Form and return it to the IP Office
Failure to notify sponsor of address
change is a violation of J-1 status
Engage only in approved Program Activities: Engage only in approved Program Activities Established Educational and Cultural Exchange Program – Approved Activities
No Unauthorized Employment or Educational Activities
Program Modifications: Program Modifications All modifications must be approved by Sponsor & RO/ARO
Extensions
Terminations
Transfers
J-2 Dependants: J-2 Dependants Spouse and unmarried children below 21
Adequate funding
Must have health insurance
May travel separately from J-1. However, J-1 cannot leave the country for more than 30 days without J-2 dependents
J-2 may apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card)
Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement: Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement What does it mean?
An EV J-1 Visa Holder and his/her J-2 dependents are not eligible for:
Permanent Residency (green card)
H visa (temporary workers and dependents)
L visa (intra-company transferees)
before they have been physically present in their home country for 2 years (cumulative).
Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement: Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement Who is subject?
Government Funded Exchange Program Participants
Those who have skills on the “Skills List”
Receiving graduate medical education or training
Waivers of the 2-year Home Presence Requirement?: Waivers of the 2-year Home Presence Requirement? Information is available on the official Department of State Website.
Criteria:
No Objection Statement from home government
Request by an interested US Government Agency
Fear of Persecution
Exceptional Hardship to a US citizen spouse or child
Request by a designated State Dept of Health
Departure Requirements: Departure Requirements Departure Report – Exchange Visitor
Program Completion Report – Advisor
30 day grace period for travel
24-Month Bar: 24-Month Bar Exchange Visitors who participate as Professors or Research Scholars are not eligible to participate in another program as a Professor of Research Scholar until 24 months after the completion date of their previous program. There are no exceptions for programs of less than 6 months.
12-Month Bar: 12-Month Bar Individuals who have been present in the United States in any “J” classification other than short-term scholar, and who have participated in a program of more than 6 months, are not eligible to start a new program as a Professor or Research Scholar until 12 months after the completion date of the previous program.
Disclaimer: Disclaimer It is ultimately the Exchange Visitor’s responsibility to understand and abide by immigration regulations to which s/he is subject.
The International Programs Office makes every effort to inform international visitors associated with the US Forest Service of the policies governing their programs; however, regulations change rapidly and are quite complex.
International visitors and scholars should stay informed and abreast of immigration policies that concern their programs and stays in the United States.
Forms: Forms Please complete the
following forms immediately
upon arrival:
Arrival Form
Address Form
Insurance Form
Debit Card Receipt
Receipt of Handbook/Acceptance of Responsibility
Slide31: Brenda Dean
International Visitor Program Coordinator
Responsible Officer
Patricia Paugh
Alternate Responsible Officer
USDA Forest Service
International Programs
1099 14th Street, NW Suite 5500W, Washington, DC 2005 202-273-4695