J-1 INFORMATION
Exchange Visitor Professors and Research Scholars

Purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program
The J Exchange Visitor category was developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961. The Exchange Visitor program is presently monitored by the Department of State. The University of California, Irvine has been designated by the Department of State as a sponsoring institution for the J-1 Exchange Visitor program. Foreign nationals who participate in this program in the United States receive J-1 status, which classifies them as members of this exchange program.

Scholar Eligibility
The J-1 scholar must:

• Participate in a program or activity of teaching, observation, or research in an academic unit at UCI
• Not be subject to the "12-month bar" based on previous time spent in the U.S. in another J status.
• Possess sufficient funding to cover expenses for the duration of the program.
• Possess appropriate credentials (equivalency to a U.S. Bachelor’s degree)
• Possess sufficient knowledge of English to participate in the program
• Not be a candidate for tenure track position

Special Information for International (Alien) Physicians

The University of California, Irvine is authorized to issue J-1 visa documents to international physicians to enable them to come to the United States for the purposes of observation, consultation, teaching, or research.

If the primary purpose of the exchange visitor’s participation is a program of a clinical nature, the exchange visitor may not be issued a DS-2019 under UCI’s exchange visitor program. The Educational Commission of Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)  is the sole organization authorized to sponsor alien physician as exchange visitors for internships, residencies, specialized clinical training, and in other positions involving more than incidental patient contact.

When the department requests a DS-2019 for foreign medical graduates they MUST certify that the program involves no patient contact or incidental patient contact only. The department completes this step by submitting the Attachment for J-1 Physicians (Form B: page 4) signed by the Department Chair.

If the Department can not certify that the program involves no patient contact or incidental patient contact then sponsorship by ECFMG is mandatory.

Department Responsibility

• The host faculty member must clarify expectations with the scholar regarding University support, benefits, length of program, and availability of office/lab space, equipment, computer access, clerical support, and faculty collaboration prior to the scholars arrival.
• The Department will notify the International Center if there is a change of plans, such as delay in start date or cancellation of visit to UCI
• The department will assist the scholar upon arrival with transportation and housing arrangements, and will refer the scholar to the International Center for check-in
• The scholar will engage only in activities consistent with the intended program and department will notify the IC of any changes in the program such as changes in financial support, loss of funding, or change in supporting department.
• Upon scholar's arrival, the department will initiate the employment process by completing the department portion of the UCI Non Immigrant Employee Verification Form.

How to Request a DS-2019 Form for Initial Entry
Three months (90 days) before the start date of the J-1 Exchange Visitor's program the department must submit the following documents to International Center:

1. Request for Issuance of Exchange Visitor (J-1) Visa Document -- Form B
2. Completed Preliminary Visa Data Sheet for UCI International Scholars -- Form A
3. Documentation of funding (if not salaried by UCI). Must be in English and in U.S. Dollars.
4. Copies of current passport (biographical page only) and previous visa documents (These include the scholar's current passport page (biographic data and photo page) along with all current and/or previous visa documents, including forms I-94, IAP-66 or DS-2019, I-20, EAD cards and/or H-1B approvals.
5. Include the “Attachment for J-1 Physician” if applicable

How to Request an Extension of DS-2019
The department should initiate the extension process at least 90 days prior to the expiration of the current DS-2019 to insure proper review of visa status and options. The International Center must receive the request form at least 30 days prior to expiration date to insure continued legal J-1 status and continued employment.

Please complete and return the following materials to the International Center:

1. Request for DS-2019 for J-1 Extension of Stay -- Form C
2. Documentation of funding (if not salaried by UCI)
3. Photocopies of Form I-94
4. Signed J-1 and J-2 Visa Holders Mandatory Insurance Requirements Form
5. Request of Extension of Stay for J-2 Dependent(s) in the U.S. (if applicable)

How to Request a DS-2019 for Family Members entering the U.S. After the arrival of J-1 Scholar
If after arrival to the U.S. in J-1 scholar status, a scholar wishes to bring his/her dependent family members (spouse and/or children under 21 years of age) in J-2 status. This process is to be used only if the J-2 dependents have not been issued a DS-2019. The International Center must receive the request to issue DS-2019(s) to family member(s). The scholar will be notified when the documents are ready for pick up at the International Center. The scholar will then need to mail the packet to their family and the family must visit the U.S. Consulate to obtain J-2 visa(s).

1. Request for Issuance of Exchange Visitor Visa Documents for Dependents -- Form D
2. Proof of sufficient financial support
3. Signed statement of understanding regarding insurance requirements

WHAT TO DO BEFORE THE ARRIVAL OF THE SCHOLAR

1. Department corresponds with potential UCI visiting scholar regarding appointment, clarifying expectations regarding work space, staff support, UCI faculty availability and cooperation, and benefits. Note that Federal regulations require all J visa holders to have health insurance coverage for themselves and their families at the following minimum level of coverage:
   • medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
   • repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
   • expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $10,000
   • deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
     
2. Department insures that there is an academic appointment approved for the J-1 visitor.
   
3. The department submits DS-2019 request form to the International Center along with other required documents three months prior to the start date of the J-1 scholar's appointment.
   
4. The International Center sends visa document, Form DS-2019 to scholar. The Form DS-2019 should be presented to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy at the time the scholar applies for the J-1 visas.
5. If the J-1 scholar is in the U.S. in J status at another institution he/she must complete the transfer process. Consult the International Center for more information.
6. Upon arrival the scholar may need help with transportation, housing or banking. It is helpful to arrange within the department for assistance in these matters before the scholar's arrival.
7. Department must keep contact with the scholar to insure that he/she will enter the U.S. and report to UCI as required.
8. If there is change in the program start date (due to change in plans, travel delay, problems obtaining visa) the department must notify the International Center as soon as possible. The International Center must update the SEVIS record.

POST-ARRIVAL OF J-1 SCHOLAR

1. Scholars must report to the International Center within 30 days of program start date. J-1 scholars are required to check in with the International Center for SEVIS reporting purposes. Scholars must bring their DS-2019, Passport, and I-94 for review and for validation of the J-1visa status.
   
2. If there are any changes in the scholar's situation, including significant changes in job duties, transfer to another UCI department, or leaving UCI, please notify the International Center to obtain pre-authorization as soon as possible.
   
3. If the department intends to extend the scholar's appointment, please start the process at least three months before the expiration on the scholar's DS-2019

BEFORE RETURNING HOME
Near the end of the scholar's program, please refer him or her to the International Center to complete a departure form, for assistance with the transfer to another U.S. institution, or assistance in applying for a change of visa status.