Maintaining Legal J-1 Status
Documents
- Do not let passport expire
- Report a change of name in passport (within 10 days to iHawk)
- Carry I-94 (either electronic printout or paper card) at all times
- Extend DS-2019 PRIOR to expiration if not finished (see Section 3 on DS-2019 for date)
- Get a new DS-2019 for any change in major or degree level at KU
Academics
- Complete a full course of study each semester unless granted PRIOR permission from ISS immigration advisor (or program sponsor) to be less than full time
- You risk losing your legal status if you take any online classes that count toward your full-time enrollment
- Tell ISS (or program sponsor) if you plan to pursue a degree at or transfer to another school
Health Insurance
- Carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2 dependents throughout the entire program, as per U.S. federal regulations
Work
- ALWAYS get WRITTEN work authorization from an ISS immigration advisor before working
- Limit on-campus work to 20 hours per week while school is in session
- Do NOT work on campus after your DS-2019 expiration date
Travel
- Get an ISS immigration advisor signature on your DS-2019 before traveling outside the U.S. if you plan to return to continue your program
General
- Report change of U.S. address or phone number within 10 days (required in iHawk and highly recommended in Enroll & Pay)
- Report/update J-2 email address and permanent departure to ISS through iHawk
- Leave U.S. within 30 days of finishing J-1 program or, if eligible, apply for change of status or be admitted to another academic program
- Always read emails from ISS
Note:
It is important that you keep all SEVIS DS-2019's issued to you. You should keep these documents in a safe place. If any of these documents are damaged, lost, or stolen, it is your responsibility to have them replaced as quickly as possible.
