Step 5 | Maintain Your J-1 Status
AFTER YOUR J-1 RECORD IS ACTIVATED!It is your responsibility to maintain J-1 status.
If the U.S. Embassy issued you an J-1 visa, they expect you to come to the United States "to study" (if you are a student) or to do research or teach (if you are a scholar/professor). These are the only reasons why you applied and why you are in the U.S. The following is a list of "your" major responsibilities and actions "you" need to take in order to properly maintain your J-1 status in the U.S.
- Report to the ISSO to complete the "Mandatory Check-In Process".
- Report address change within 10 days of the change.
RESPONSIBILITY 2
Health Insurance
- You must buy and maintained the required amount of health insurance coverage for the J-1 program.
(You, and your J-2 dependents, must obtain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 federal guidelines for the entire length of your program, including post-completion Academic Training).
RESPONSIBILITY 3
Employment
- Conduct employment only as indicated on the DS-2019.
RESPONSIBILITY 4
Travel
- Have a valid passport. You should renew your passport at least six months before it expires. Contact your home country embassy in New York or Washington, D.C. for instructions on how to renew it.
- Have a valid, unexpired J-1 Visa.
- Have a valid DS-2019 (meaning your DS-2019 is not expired and you are a current scholar/professor).
- If you are traveling outside the USA, you will need the Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) signature before you leave the U.S.
- If you are traveling to Canada or Mexico or other countries please find out if you need a travel visa to those countries.
Full Course of Study
- Report and attend Lehman after entering the U.S.
- Study full-time.
- Report address change within 10 days of the change.
RESPONSIBILITY 2
Health Insurance
- You must buy and maintained the required amount of health insurance coverage for the J-1 program.
(You, and your J-2 dependents, must obtain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 federal guidelines for the entire length of your program, including post-completion Academic Training).
RESPONSIBILITY 3
Employment
- On-campus employment must be authorized by the International Student & Scholar Office each semester.
- Off-campus employment (Academic Training) must be authorized by the ISSO. Do not work unauthorized.
Working off-campus (paid or unpaid) without specific written authorization is a serious violation of J-1 status.
RESPONSIBILITY 4
Travel
- Have a valid passport. You should renew your passport at least six months before it expires. Contact your home country embassy in New York or Washington, D.C. for instructions on how to renew it.
- Have a valid, unexpired J-1 Visa.
- Have a valid DS-2019 (meaning your DS-2019 is not expired and you are a current student).
- If you are traveling outside the USA, you will need the Alternate Responsible Office (ARO) signature before you leave the U.S.
- If you are traveling to Canada or Mexico or other countries please find out if you need a travel visa to those countries.
