Maintaining J-1 Status

REGISTRATION
Register Full Time by the conclusion of the drop/add period for the current semester

  • IES posts your full-time/part-time status on the IES Verification Page (see #2 below).
  • If you will be part-time in a semester due to illness, academic difficulties, or because you are in your final semester, you MUST receive permission for part-time enrollment from IES BEFORE the end of the drop/add period for that semester. You can print the part time authorization form.

VERIFICATION
(UM sponsored students only)
Confirm that your SEVIS information is correct using the IES Verification page by the last day of drop/add for the current semester. J-1 students sponsored by UM (including those on Academic Training) must confirm/update their information each semester. Continuing students must be registered for the upcoming semester to access the System. Notify IES year-round of adress changes (within 10 days of moving), major changes, and biographical information changes using the verification page. Your email address is the fastest way to contact you - please keep it up to date.

GRADUATION
If you are completing your studies in the coming semester, please keep the following in mind:

  • If you plan to participate in J-1 academic training, you will need to obtain a job offer and get approval from your Responsible Officer (RO) before completing your program. For more information, check Employment or Academic Training.
  • 30 day grace period: Following the completion of their program, the period defined on the Form DS-2019, the Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS) allows participants a 30-day travel period commonly referred to as the "Grace Period." During this 30-day grace period, participants are no longer in J-visa status, and are under the jurisdiction of CIS. CIS grants this period to allow participants to settle their affairs and to prepare to return to their home countries. Program participants may no longer continue and/or complete exchange activities, nor may they work. Although participants may travel in the United States, it is recommended that they do not travel beyond the borders of the United States as they may not be permitted reentry.

KEEP DOCUMENTS UP TO DATE
Your passport and DS-2019 need to be valid throughout your studies and during your Academic Training. Request extensions well in advance of the expiration date of the document.

  • U.S. Address: The Department of State takes the requirment to update your address very seriously. Remember to inform IES within 10 days when you change your address in the U.S. J-1 students can electronically update new addresses on the SEVIS Verification page.
  • Visas: Your visa is similar to a letter of invitation to the U.S. When going through the immigration process on entry to the U.S., you present your visa to the officer. Your visa can expire while you are in your program without affecting your permission to be in the U.S. Therefore, your visa only becomes important when you travel outside of the U.S. and intend to return to the same program. (Special rules apply for travel to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean).

INSURANCE
J-1 students are required to carry health insurance that meets Department of State minimum requirements. Please be sure to drop off an updated copy of your insurance when you renew your policy.

STAY INFORMED
IES uses IESNEWS to update students on changes to the Immigration regulations and UM policies. Subscription instructions.