GENERAL PROGRAM INFORMATION
1. What are the advantages of the exchange visitor (J) status?
The primary advantages of the J-1 status are that it can be obtained relatively easily and quickly and that it usually allows the spouse and dependents holding J-2 status to work while in the US.
2. When should other immigration classifications be considered?
Visiting scholars and researchers who are unsure of their future plans with respect to employment at UAMS or in the US, and who would be subject to the two-year home country residence requirement, are advised to review and consider alternative non-immigrant work visas.
3. Which types of UAMS appointments are eligible for J-1 scholar status?
J-1 scholar status is limited to those who hold temporary, “visiting” academic positions. It cannot be used for tenure-track faculty positions, regular faculty or support positions, administrative positions, or staff positions. Be sure to check your college’s internal policy regarding appointments, positions, lengths, and restrictions (e.g. Academic Visitor policy). Also, the J-1 program may not be used for clinical appointments or for foreign medical graduates (FMGs) who will be involved in clinical activities or for those receiving medical training. FMGs who wish to participate in clinical programs of graduate medical education or training cannot be sponsored by the UAMS exchange visitor program. The only exchange program authorized to sponsor FMGs as J-1 exchange visitors for internships, residencies, specialized clinical training, and in other positions involving more than incidental patient contact, is the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
4. Can departments sponsor physicians to pursue graduate medical education such as a residency or fellowship?
NO. Physicians may ONLY be involved in teaching or research. Any patient contact must be incidental and under direct supervision of a state licensed physician who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. To pursue graduate medical education or training (residency or fellowship), a physician must apply through the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG).
5. How far in advance should planning begin to invite a J-1 scholar to UAMS?
Plans to invite a J-1 scholar should begin three to four months in advance of the start date of the appointment to allow for case review, document preparation, mailing immigration documents, and visa processing. In some cases, scholar may experience significant delays in visa processing abroad. Sponsors and prospective exchange visitors are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the visa application process as specified by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
6. How long will it take Immigration Services to issue a DS-2019?
After an J-1 case is opened with our office, it usually takes one to one and a half month to issue the DS-2019 packet to the exchange visitor.
7. Who is responsible for sending the DS-2019 to the exchange visitor?
The UAMS sponsoring department is responsible for sending the original DS-2019 (whether domestic or international) to the exchange visitor.
APPLYING FOR A J-1 VISA
1. What are SEVIS and SEVP?
The SEVP monitors school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on nonimmigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet, to the DHS and DOS throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the U.S.
2. What is a form DS-2019?
Form DS-2019 is Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, which is the document required for a scholar to obtain a J-1 visa. UAMS Immigration Services Office issue Form DS-2019 to the J-1 Exchange Visitors. The J-1 Exchange Visitors take the DS-2019 to the US Embassy or consulate to apply for their J-1 visa.
3. What is the process to obtain a J-1 visa?
If the J-1 Exchange Visitor is outside the U.S., they need to obtain a J-1 visa in order to enter the U.S. For more detailed information about how to apply for a J-1 visa, and the supporting documents they need to take to the visa interview, please see http://www.usembassy.gov/.
4. Is form DS-7002 required when applying for a visa at the US Embassy or Consulate?
The DS-7002 form is ONLY required for the Trainee or Intern category of J-visa. This form is NOT required for J-1 Professor / Research Scholar or Short-Term Scholar categories.
5. How long does it take to obtain a J-1 Visa?
The wait time for an interview and processing for a J-1 Visa varies from country to country and is based on individual circumstances. Learn more about interview wait and processing times by visiting Travel.State. Gov .
6. The J-1 visa has been issued, when can the exchange visitor travel to the U.S.?
DHS regulation requires that all beginning (initial) J exchange visitors, and J-2 spouse and dependents enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the applicant’s program start date as shown on the Form DS-2019. The 30-day limitation does not apply to current exchange participants who are returning to continue with their exchange program.
7. What is Administrative Processing?
Some visa applications require further administrative processing, which takes additional time after the visa applicant’s interview by a Consular Officer. Applicants are advised of this requirement when they apply. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of the visa interview. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Visa applicants are reminded to apply early for their visa, well in advance of the anticipated travel date. Important Notice: Before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants must wait at least 60 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later.
8. Can the UAMS Immigration office expedite my J-1 application or request to expedite administrative processing?
No. There is no expedited or premium processing option for J-1visa applications, please visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website for current processing times. Exchange visitor planning should begin well in advance allowing for ample time to obtain the J-1 visa. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of non-refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.
DEPENDENTS: J-2 VISA
1. Can spouse and children accompany J-1 exchange visitors?
Spouse and/or children (or dependents) under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal (or primary) exchange visitor (J) visa holder in the U.S. for the duration of his/her stay require J-2 visa. The application procedure is the same as that for a primary visa applicant. Immigration Services must approve the accompaniment of the spouse and/or children and who will each be issued their own Form DS-2019 (J-2) to apply for the J-1 visa stamp.
2. Can J-2 dependents work while in the U.S.?
The spouse and/or child of an exchange visitor in the U.S. may only work if they have filed Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has approved permission to work. To learn more, visit www.uscis.org.
3. Can J-2 dependents study while in the U.S.?
The spouse and/or children of an exchange visitor visa holder who are in the U.S. on an exchange visitor visa may study in the U.S. without also being required to apply for a student (F-1) visa or change to F-1 status.