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Documents and Regulations:
- Form DS-2019: Prior to coming to Tiffin University, you were issued a Form DS-2019 which you used to apply for your J-1 visa at the United States Embassy. Upon entry into U.S., the border official stamped and then returned this form to you.
- Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record Card: This is the small white card given to you at your U.S. port of entry. During your stay in the U.S., you must make sure that your Form DS-2019 and Form I-94 remain valid. These documents permit you to remain in the United States legally. If either is lost, you should contact the Center for International Programs immediately to apply for a replacement. You need these Forms for traveling, extension of stay, practical training and for employment authorization.
- Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six (6) months into the future at all times. If your passport is about to expire or if you have lost, please contact your embassy for instructions. The easiest means of contacting your embassy is via the internet.
- VISA: This is placed in your passport by a Consular Officer when you applied for the J-1 visa at an American Embassy. The visa can ONLY be renewed at an American Embassy or Consulate. It is NOT possible to renew the visa within the U.S. Once you are in the United States, your visa may expire. This is not a problem. The next time that you travel outside the U.S. you will need to go to an American Embassy or Consulate to have it renewed. A valid visa is only required for entering the United States.
Special Note: Canadians are not subject to the passport and visa requirements; however, the Form DS-2019 and Form I-94 must be valid.
Maintenance of Status
All J-1 students/scholars must maintain status by engaging only in activities authorized for their program and their category. This includes filing timely and appropriate transfer and extension requests, refraining from unauthorized employment, maintaining full-time registration, and the required health insurance coverage.
Extension of Stay
J-1 students/scholars receive the notation "D/S" ("Duration of Status") on the Form I-94. D/S does have an expiration date; it is valid until the completion date shown in section #3 on the Form DS-2019. Please be aware of the expiration date of the Form DS 2019. If an extension of stay is needed, please contact the Center for International Programs. If the program is completed before the expiration date on the Form DS-2019, the remaining period of time on the Form is voided.
Following completion of studies, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) permits J-1 students/scholars an additional grace period of 30 days beyond the expiration date of the form to leave the U.S.
Traveling
When planning a trip outside of the United States, students/scholars will need to have the Form DS-2019 validated by the Center for International Programs. Please bring your form at least three (3) working days prior to your departure. This will provide sufficient time if additional documents are needed prior to the endorsing of the form.
Caution
Maintaining valid documents is your responsibility. The Center for International Programs will assist you in maintaining valid documents; however, ultimately it is your responsibility. If a deadline is missed, it can present serious consequences for you.