Immigration and Regulations

Pre Arrival

Additional information is available on the following U.S. Government Websites:
Exchange Visitor Visa
Pay I-901 Fee
DS-160: Frequently Asked Questions
Official list of embassies from the U.S. Department of State

Travel and Arrival: Entering the US

At the Exchange Visitor’s first port of entry into the U.S., they will present their original DS-2019 Form and passport with the J-1 visa sticker to a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officer. The Exchange Visitor may be asked to provide additional documents. After reviewing the documents, the DHS officer will create the I-94 record.

The I-94 record is an electronic record of entrance. This indicates the non-immigrant status, authorized duration of stay, and serves as evidence of lawful status in the U.S.

Information for current J-1 Exchange Visitors

It is your responsibility as either a J-1 Exchange Visitor or J-2 dependent visa holder to follow all visa regulations and maintain legal U.S. immigration status. Failure to follow J visa regulations may have serious long-term consequences for your immigration status in the U.S.

Here are simple steps you can take to ensure that your stay in the U.S. remains valid.

• Maintain required documents
  • Valid Form DS-2019
  • Valid passport
  • I-94 record
• Duration of Status (D/S)
  • 8 CFR 214.2(j)(1)(ii) defines J-1 “duration of status” as “a period up to 30 days before the report date or start of the approved program listed on Form DS-2019… plus a period of 30 days after the report date for the purposes of travel.
• Report physical address and email address changes to the A/RO within 10 days.
• Report U.S. phone number changes to the A/RO within 10 days.
• Report future travel outside the U.S. to the A/RO.
• Engage in appropriate activities.
  • Each category has a definition and expectations for the activities of the exchange visitor, which must be met. See Visiting Scholar Eligibility and Student Intern Eligibility for further information.
• Authorized employment only.
  • Unauthorized employment is a violation of program status.
• Health insurance
  • Every Exchange Visitor (both J-1 and J-2) is required to obtain health insurance that meets the minimum requirements. This insurance must be maintained throughout the entire period of program participation, including holiday breaks and international travel.
• Report on the potential extension of your Exchange Visitor Program. The request should be made within 90 to 21 days before the expiration date on the Form DS-2019. For further inquiries, contact visitingscholars@ecu.edu.
• Follow other state and U.S. federal laws.