J-1 Exchange Visitor situations
Pick a situation to walk through your rights, program rules, and next steps — tailored for exchange visitors, scholars, interns, and trainees.
Legal Rights
Encounters with ICE, police, or immigration agents — know what to say and do
Asked to show documents
AvailableWhich documents to carry, what you must show, and when — passport, DS-2019, and visa.
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ICE or agents at your door
AvailableWhat to do if immigration officers come to your home or residence.
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Stopped by police or ICE in public
AvailableYour rights during a stop, and what information you must provide.
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Immigration visit at your program site
AvailableHow to respond if ICE or agents appear at your university, lab, or host site.
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Renewal & Documents
Keeping your DS-2019, visa stamp, SEVIS records, and insurance current
Renewing or updating your DS-2019
AvailableWhen and how to get an updated Form DS-2019 from your program sponsor.
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Visa stamp renewal at consulate
AvailableRenewing your J-1 visa stamp outside the U.S. before re-entry.
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SEVIS fee payment
AvailableWhen the I-901 fee is required for J-1 exchange visitors and how to pay.
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Extending your program end date
AvailableRequesting more time to complete your exchange program before DS-2019 expires.
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Health insurance requirements
AvailableMandatory J-1 insurance rules, waivers, and what happens if coverage lapses.
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Employment & Training
On-campus work, Academic Training, program-authorized roles, and restrictions
On-campus employment at your sponsor
AvailableWorking at your host university — eligibility, hour limits, and RO approval.
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Academic Training (AT)
AvailablePost- or during-program training related to your field — J-1's version of practical training.
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Program-authorized employment
AvailableWork built into your J-1 category — intern, trainee, scholar, teacher, and research roles.
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Working without authorization
AvailableWhat counts as unauthorized work for J-1 holders and steps if it has already happened.
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Maintaining Status
Sponsor transfers, leaves of absence, home residency rules, and violations
Transferring to another sponsor
AvailableMoving your SEVIS record to a new program sponsor without a gap in status.
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Taking a leave of absence
AvailableAuthorized breaks from your program and how they affect J-1 status.
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Two-year home residency (212(e))
AvailableWhether you are subject to the requirement and what it means for staying or returning.
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Falling out of status
AvailableCommon violations, consequences, and options like reinstatement.
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Travel & Re-entry
Leaving the U.S. and returning safely on J-1 status
Traveling outside the U.S.
AvailableDocuments to bring, travel signatures on DS-2019, and what to expect on return.
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Visa expired while in the U.S.
AvailableWhether you can stay, study, and work with an expired visa stamp.
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Questions at port of entry
AvailableSecondary inspection, common questions, and how to prepare.
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