J-1 Scholar
Information about J-1 research scholar and J-1 short-term scholar status
General J-1 Exchange Visitor Immigration
Responsibilities
All new CHOP sponsored J-1 scholars must register with the Office of Immigration and
Visa Services within 30 days of the start date on Forms DS-2019 and must comply with the
U.S. federal regulations governing their specific J-1 categories (i.e. research scholar,
short-term scholar). To maintain your immigration status you must:
- Report a new residential address to OIVS within 10 days of moving to a new address by submitting a Service Center request.
- Maintain your and your dependents’ (if applicable) health and accident insurance as required by the Exchange Visitor Program at all times while in the program.
- Maintain a valid passport at all times.
- Check your I-94 record each time you enter and re-enter the U.S.
- Conduct your exchange activities at the location(s) listed on the Forms DS-2019.
- For your re-entry to the US after a trip abroad please carry with you a valid passport with valid J visa stamp (if applicable) and a valid DS-2019 form with a valid Program Officer travel signature.
- Apply for an extension of your status before your current DS-2019 expires. Requests for extensions must be submitted in the Service Center by your host department.
- Prior to participating in occasional
lectures and short-term consultations at
off-campus locations you must obtain an authorization from OIVS. To apply for
occasional
employment authorization please submit a Service Center request.
Please note: Such lectures and consultations should not interfere with the activities of your J-1 Exchange Visitor program. The term occasional is generally understood to refer to single events rather than an ongoing activity. If you will receive wages or other remuneration for lectures or consultations, the J-1 regulations require you to act as an independent contractor. - Never accept any public benefits or assistance from the federal, state or local government such as free school lunches, food stamps, etc. Accepting such benefits as a J-1 or J-2 visa holder can lead to inadmissibility to the United States due to reliance on “public assistance” under the Immigration and Nationality Act, this could ultimately result in denial of re-entry into the United States in the future.
- Report an early J program completion date to OIVS by submitting a Service Center request.
- Depart the U.S., transfer to another J program, or change to another visa status within the 30-day grace period at the end of your J program.
- See Policy 2-21, Sponsorship of Foreign Nationals: J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, Research Scholar & Short-Term Scholar. You must be connected to the CHOP Network to view this policy via PolicyManager.
What is the 12-Month Bar?
J Exchange Visitors who have been present in the U.S. in any “J” category 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.
What is the 24-Month Bar?
J Exchange Visitors who participate in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program as Professors or Research Scholars are not eligible to participate in another program as a Professor or Research Scholar until 24 months after the completion date of their previous program. This bar also applies to J-2 dependents.
What is the Two Year Home Residency Requirement - 212(e)
Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to the 212(e) two-year home residence requirement, which requires the J-1 Exchange Visitor and any J-2 dependents to return to their home country for two years before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or a non-immigrant H or L visa. The requirement also makes J-1 visa holders and their J-2 dependents ineligible to change to any other visa status within the United States. For information on how to waive this requirement, go here.
How to apply for a SEVIS fee refund
J-1 Exchange Visitor Insurance information
Health and Accident Insurance
Per Department of State (DoS) requirements, all J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents must have health and accident insurance coverage during the entirety of the their stay, which meets the following criteria:
- $100,000 per accident & illness in medical coverage;
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness;
- Coinsurance that does not exceed 25%;
- Medical evacuation coverage must be at least $50,000;
- Repatriation coverage must be at least $25,000;
- Pre-existing conditions must be covered by the insurance policy with a waiting period no longer than 12 months; (Please note: Policy’s with coverage for only “Acute onset of pre-existing conditions” do not meet this requirement.)
- Carrier must be at least A- rated or backed by the full faith and credit of the Exchange Visitor’s government.
NOTE: CHOP benefits eligible J-1 EVs can elect to receive CHOP health care insurance coverage after the first thirty days of employment. To meet the coverage criteria required by DoS, you must elect either CHOP’s IBC Medical Care Plan or Keystone / AmeriHealth HMO of NJ medical plans. However, from the day of your arrival in the US until the 30th day of employment, you must secure supplemental insurance coverage by either:
- Purchasing a pre-selected J-1 Insurance Plan from Gallagher here
- or waiving out of the coverage requirement by submitting evidence of comparable insurance to Gallagher here