The United States, like most countries, has established laws and regulations for persons wishing to visit. The guidelines are complex and can be bewildering to someone unfamiliar with the system. It is important that you inform LASPAU about any immigration issues that arise so we can help ensure that you are in compliance with the rules governing your status. For further information, please refer to the section on Immigration and Visa Information on the LASPAU website.

• Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)
• Documentation
• Dependents
• DS-2019 Extensions
• Travel Outside of the United States
• Useful Links
  

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an online database implemented by the U.S. government in January 2003. The system enables the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to maintain updated biographical and program information on J-1 exchange visitors living in the United States. SEVIS tracks all entries and exits to and from the United States. In addition, LASPAU is required to track the following types of information via SEVIS:

• Arrival at host institution and ongoing program participation
• Name and address changes
• Changes in host institution and field of study
• Program end-dates, including extensions and early terminations

As the recipient of a grant that is administered by LASPAU, you are admitted to the United States as part of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the United States Department of State. This program requires you to return to your home country as soon as you finish your program, including any authorized academic training, and to reside there for at least two years. You will be permitted to enter the United States as a tourist (or in another nonimmigrant visa category) during this two-year period.

As an exchange visitor, you should understand the need for and use of the following documents:

Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months after your current DS-2019 is due to expire. If your passport will expire during your stay in the United States, you must renew it through your country’s consulate or embassy before applying to extend your DS-2019. The Embassy World site lists information on all foreign embassies inside the United States. When you send in your passport for renewal, keep your Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) and your DS-2019 with you.

It is always a good idea to register your name and length of stay with the nearest office of your country’s consulate. This will facilitate any services you may need from them.

DS-2019 form: The DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, is normally sent to you in your home country within 60 days of your departure so that you can apply to have the J-1 visa placed in your passport (see below). It is therefore critical that your name on the DS-2019 form is identical to your name in your passport. If the names differ, notify your LASPAU program advisor or coordinator immediately. Once you receive the DS-2019, read the information on page 2 and then sign the bottom of page 1 where it says "Exchange Visitor Certification."

You will need the DS-2019 form when you travel to the United States. Your DS-2019 is valid for the period listed in box #3 of the form, beginning with the month of your arrival in the United States. If necessary, LASPAU will provide you with an extension of your DS-2019 in order to enable you to complete your program. Keep all the DS-2019 forms that you receive with your passport.

Your DS-2019 outlines some of the regulations governing exchange visitor status. In order to remain in J-1 status, you must

• maintain adequate health insurance coverage for you and your dependents at all times (please see the Health Care section);
  
  
• be enrolled full-time in an academic program (unless otherwise authorized by LASPAU); and
  
  
• be in good academic standing.

Exchange visitors are not allowed to accept any form of public assistance for themselves or for their dependents. LASPAU will make every effort to help ensure that you meet these requirements.

Visas are only issued abroad and cannot be renewed while in the United States.

Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94): Each time you enter the United States, you will be asked to complete an Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94). If you are arriving by air, a flight attendant will distribute the form prior to landing. If you are arriving by land, the U.S. immigration official at the port of entry will provide the form to you.

You will present the Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) with your passport (which contains your J-1 visa) and your DS-2019 to the U.S. immigration official. After checking your documents, the officer will stamp your DS-2019 form and Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) for duration of status ("D/S") and return the forms to you with your passport. The Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) is valid as long as you have a valid DS-2019. The Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) and DS-2019 should be kept with your passport. Your legal status will expire 30 days after the expiration date of your DS-2019 or 30 days after your academic program ends, whichever is earlier. The Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) must be returned at your port of departure when you leave the United States.

Please take extra care to complete the Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) exactly as requested. Your family name(s) should be written on the first line and your first and middle name(s) on the second line. The names on your Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) must match exactly the names in your passport and DS-2019 or you will have difficulty entering the United States.

Immigration Documents Always keep your DS-2019 form and Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) with your passport, and make sure that your dependents do the same. These documents demonstrate that you are in the United States legally, and they must be kept valid. You should know where they are at all times! We strongly advise that you and your dependents photocopy the identification pages of your passports, your visa pages, both sides of your Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) , and the first page of the DS-2019. Keep these copies separate from the originals so you can apply for replacements if the originals are lost or stolen. It is also a good idea to bring photocopies of all immigration documents with you whenever you travel. Make sure you have your DS-2019 forms with you each time you enter and exit the United States to show the history of your stay in this country. Similarly, make sure your dependents bring their DS-2019 forms with them when they travel.

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DEPENDENTS

If you plan to bring your family to the United States, LASPAU will need to issue a separate DS-2019 for each of your dependents in order for them to obtain a J-2 visa. A DS-2019 will be issued provided that each dependent has sufficient financial support and medical insurance coverage, as specified below. If you are participating in an English language training or orientation program, you must complete the program before your family joins you. Anyone in your immediate family, defined as your legal spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21, is eligible for a J-2 visa. Your mother, father, siblings, other relatives, or household help are not eligible.

At least three months before your family’s planned arrival, complete the Dependent Visa Information Form, which you can download from this site in PDF format. This form provides LASPAU with information required by the U.S. government for the SEVIS tracking system. Mail, fax, or scan and email the Dependent Visa Information Form as an attachment to LASPAU along with the following documents:

• Proof of financial support (see below)
  
• Proof of medical insurance (see below)
  
• Photocopy of your marriage certificate (if you are requesting a DS-2019 for your spouse)
  
• Photocopy of the birth certificates of any children for whom you are requesting a DS-2019
  
• Photocopy of the passport identification page of each dependent
  

Once we receive all of the necessary documentation, it will take approximately two weeks for LASPAU to issue the DS-2019 for each of your dependents. The form(s) will be sent to you and it will be your responsibility to sign the bottom of the first page of each form before forwarding them to your family. You can have the form(s) sent to you by express mail if you pay for the additional cost.

We recommend that you travel to the United States alone and have your family join you at a later date. This will allow you to find suitable housing and become familiar with your new environment before their arrival.

If you receive a grant for personal maintenance, you may not use these funds to support your family. In order to bring your family to the United States, you need to demonstrate to LASPAU that you will have at least US$500 per month for the first dependent, US$300 per month for the second dependent, and US$150 per month for each additional dependent. Regional variations and your personal lifestyle may mean that you and your family will need more than the amounts specified here.

To demonstrate that you have sufficient financial support, you must provide LASPAU with documentation in the form of a contract or official statement from an institution guaranteeing the necessary level of funding. Acceptable forms of proof include: a contract for your salary in absentia, a copy of a rental agreement on property showing you as the landlord, proof that you possess sufficient funds and are able to transfer them into a U.S. bank account in your name, or bank statements from a friend or relative along with a notarized letter certifying that they will send you a fixed amount of U.S. dollars during your stay in the U.S.

Dependents of J-1 visa holders must be covered by health insurance while they are in the United States. You will need to send LASPAU proof that your dependents have adequate medical insurance coverage that will take effect as soon as they arrive in the United States and last for a minimum of three months. Their coverage must meet the same levels that the U.S. government has established for your own coverage (see section on Health Care).

Please consult with LASPAU to make sure that the policy you choose provides sufficient coverage. Send us a brochure or the address of a website that will enable us to ascertain the benefits and amount of coverage provided by the policy you would like to buy. If LASPAU approves purchase of the policy, send us a copy of the completed insurance application and a copy of the canceled check used to pay for the policy as proof of coverage. Make sure that you also include information about the number of dependents the policy covers, the benefits selected, and the duration of coverage. Information on several health insurance policies that meet United States government requirements can be found in the Health Care section.

On the above mentioned Dependent Visa Information Form, LASPAU will require you to sign a statement certifying that your dependents will have adequate insurance coverage during their stay in the United States. LASPAU is not only concerned about protecting you and your family from the high cost of medical care for uninsured individuals in the United States, but we also are required to remain in compliance with J Exchange Visitor Program regulations regarding adequate insurance coverage for all grantees and their dependents.

If you have any questions about visas, insurance, or other issues concerning your dependents, please do not hesitate to consult with LASPAU. We also ask that you keep us informed about any changes in your marital status or family situation during your studies.

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If your DS-2019 is not valid for the length of your program, it must be extended at least 15 days before it expires (the expiration date is specified in box #3 of the form). LASPAU will automatically extend your DS-2019 to the end date of your program funding or to the completion date of your program, whichever comes first. We will send the DS-2019 extension to you 15-30 days prior to the expiration date of your current DS-2019.

Once you receive the DS-2019 extension, read the information on page 2 and then sign the bottom of page 1 where it says "Exchange Visitor Certification." Keep the new form with your Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) and passport. The DS-2019 maintains your legal status in the United States. The visa in your passport does not need to be renewed as long as you have a valid DS-2019 and you do not travel outside the United States.

If your passport has expired, contact your country's embassy or consulate to renew it before renewing your DS-2019.

If you have dependents, you may need to send LASPAU proof that you continue to have adequate funds to support them in order for us to issue their DS-2019 extensions. Your LASPAU program advisor will request this information from you if necessary.

If you are planning to travel outside the United States close to the time that you will be receiving a DS-2019 extension from LASPAU, you can present the new DS-2019 form to an immigration official for processing at the border upon reentering the United States. Let LASPAU know if you have travel plans before the DS-2019 extension is issued.

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Many of you plan to travel home during holiday seasons or during other university breaks. We want to remind you that you may encounter delays when traveling outside the U.S. if you need to renew the J-1 visa in your passport. The same is true for any dependents who need to renew their J-2 visas. If you need to renew your visa, please be sure to contact the U.S. embassy in your home country to schedule an appointment.

If you are traveling outside the U.S. during the holidays (or at any time), please send your travel dates to your LASPAU program advisor. Please also review the following points:

• Your Passport: As mentioned previously, your passport should be valid at least six months beyond the expiration date of your DS-2019. Contact your country’s embassy or consulate in the United States for renewal procedures if necessary. The Embassy World site lists information on all foreign embassies inside the United States.
  
  
• Your J-1 Visa: Check the J-1 visa in your passport and the J-2 visa in your dependents’ passports (if applicable). If the dates have expired, you will need to apply for a new visa in order to reenter the United States. Make an appointment with the U.S. consulate or embassy in the country to which you will be traveling. To find out the estimated waiting period for a visa interview and the expected length of time it will take for your visa to be processed, please visit the U.S. Department of State's website. At the appointment, you will need to present your DS-2019 and your valid passport. Additional documentation may also be needed. If your dependents need to reapply for J-2 visas, also be prepared to show proof of marriage to your spouse and parenthood of each child.
  
  We strongly advise that you call the consulate or embassy abroad to arrange your appointment before you leave the United States.When you call, ask the consular officer if you will need any documents in addition to your DS-2019. Make a note of the required documents, the date of your conversation, and the name of the person with whom you speak, and bring this information with you. Your visa cannot be renewed in the United States and it may be difficult to renew your visa in a country other than your own, so plan ahead.
  
  
• Your DS-2019:
  

Check the duration of your DS-2019. If the end date in box #3 of your current DS-2019 will occur within one month of the date on which you plan to reenter the United States, request a new DS-2019 from your LASPAU program advisor prior to traveling. Check the bottom right box of the DS-2019 (Travel Validation by Responsible Officer) to make sure that it has a signature from a LASPAU Responsible Officer. The signature is valid for one year, so you do not need a new signature every time you travel outside the United States. DS-2019 forms that do not have the signature of a LASPAU Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer dated within the past year need to be sent to LASPAU for this signature. You must send the original DS-2019, not a copy. Also, be sure that you have read and signed the bottom of the DS-2019 (Exchange Visitor Certification) before mailing it to your LASPAU program advisor for endorsement. (Note: LASPAU must sign your DS-2019 because we are your legal sponsor. The international office at your university cannot sign it.) If there are no more spaces for Travel Validation signatures on your DS-2019, please notify your LASPAU program advisor via email. LASPAU will reprint your DS-2019 with an updated Travel Validation signature and mail the form to you. In this case, you do not need to mail your DS-2019 to LASPAU.

• Your Dependents' DS-2019s: Similarly, your dependents' DS-2019 forms must be signed by a LASPAU Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer within the past year if they plan to travel outside of the United States. Be sure that you, not your dependents, sign the bottom of their DS-2019 forms before sending them to LASPAU for a signature. If there are no more spaces for Travel Validation signatures on your dependents’ DS-2019 forms, please notify your LASPAU program advisor via email. LASPAU will reprint their DS-2019s with an updated Travel Validation signature and mail the forms to you. In this case, you do not need to mail their DS-2019s to LASPAU.
  
  

Call the appropriate consulate to see whether you will need a tourist visa to enter the country you will be visiting. The Mexican consulate has a website (www.consulmexny.org/) that lists which nationalities need a formal visa in order to visit Mexico. To learn which nationalities need a formal visa in order to visit Canada, check the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) website (www.cic.gc.ca/).

Regardless of whether you need a tourist visa, you must have the following documentation for a visit:

• A valid passport.
  
  
• A visa (valid or expired) in your passport. Most individuals are not required to have a valid U.S. consular visa in their passports for visits of less than 30 days to territories bordering the United States. You may reenter the United States with an expired U.S. consular visa following a visit to Canada, Mexico, or certain adjacent islands. Your expired visa will be revalidated for that particular entry at the border.
  
  
• Your DS-2019 form, valid for a period beyond the anticipated period of travel to this country. Please consult with your program advisor or coordinator to see if it is necessary to have your DS-2019 signed by LASPAU before you travel.
  
  
• An Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) marked "D/S" ("Duration of Status").

• If you will be visiting a country other than your own, check with the embassy or consulate of that country prior to traveling to inquire whether you will need a tourist visa to enter (e.g., if you are visiting Spain, you would check with the Spanish embassy or consulate in the United States).
  
  
• When you reenter the United States, you need to complete a new Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94). In compliance with Exchange Visitor regulations, the U.S. immigration official at the port of entry will stamp your Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94) with "D/S" ("Duration of Status") rather than with an expiration date. This means that you will remain in legal status as long as your DS-2019 is valid.
  
  
• Before you leave the United States, make a photocopy of both sides of your Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94). The U.S. immigration officials will take away your original Arrival-Departure Record Form (I-94), so it is a good idea to have a photocopy with you as proof that you were in J-1 status before you left. In addition, you should bring all your DS-2019s with you.
  

It is also useful to bring with you a document confirming your student status, such as an official transcript.

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USEFUL LINKS

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