J-1 Exchange Visitor Students

• Students should refer to the program start and end dates on their DS-2019. Students are expected to maintain immigration requirements during this program timeframe, and any updates to program dates should be updated with the IPS office.
• Students are responsible for ensuring that they have a valid DS-2019 with accurate program information, as well as a signature of the ARO. 
• While a J-1 student is attending their program, they should ensure that they have a valid passport as well. Students should consistently check to make sure that their passport expiration date is at least 6 months in the future.

• J-1 students can work on-campus for 20 hours per week during the academic year, and 40 hours per week in the summer semester. Off campus employment may also be authorized during the J-1 program, but students should only work off campus if the authorization is given. More information on types of employment can be found in the employment section down below.

• The US Department of State regulations require all J-1 Exchange Visitors to have medical insurance for themselves and any accompanying J-2 dependents for the entire duration of the J-1 program (as indicated on the DS-2019). Fulfilling this requirement is essential not only because medical treatment in the United States is very expensive, but also because you and your family members are considered to be in violation of J-1/J-2 status if you do not have sufficient insurance. IPS is not able to provide J-1 program benefits such as work authorization, travel signatures, and extensions to anyone who is not maintaining valid status. For more information about how to purchase health insurance or other concerns, please contact Michigan Tech Student Insurance.

• In order to be considered as full-time enrollment, a student needs to be registered for at least 9 credits (for Graduate students) or 12 credits (Undergraduates) during the Fall and Spring semesters.  Audited courses do not count towards full-time enrollment.

• International students do not need to be enrolled during the summer semester unless they begin their program in the summer, or they are receiving funding from the university that requires enrollment. Students should check with the Graduate School if they are unsure whether or not their funding requires enrollment.

• As part of the full-time enrollment requirements to maintain your immigration status, students are only able to take one course that is online per semester. The number of online credits for the course cannot exceed 3 credits.

• There may be instances where students are eligible to be enrolled in less than full time enrollment. Please visit the J-1 Reduced Course Load website for more information and to see if you are eligible for the exception.

• Academic Training (AT) is a job that directly relates to your program of study that was authorized by your J-1 program sponsor and as mentioned on the DS-2019. For more details about Academic Training, please visit this page.

• On-campus employment (including Research/Teaching Assistantship) is limited to 20 hours per week during the academic semester, and 40 hours per week during breaks. If you will be working on campus as a J-1 student, please fill out this form to report your employment.

• Off-campus employment which may not be directly related to the student's field of study, can be authorized under special circumstances only for students who are facing unexpected economic hardship. Employment would be limited to 20 hours per week (i.e., part-time) during the academic semester, or up to 40 hours during breaks. In order to have approval to apply for off-campus employment, you must explain, by means of a written statement to IPS, the details of your unexpected economic hardship and also demonstrate that all other current or potential employment opportunities are insufficient. Please contact us (ips@mtu.edu) for further questions.

• A J-1 student may request to stay longer than the initial program end date, and their DS-2019 may be extended up to the maximum period of participation. You (the J-1 student) must put in a request with your sponsor, and your academic department should also be in agreement with the extension. International Programs and Services can approve an extension of any duration up to the maximum period of participation. Extensions can only be processed for an additional year at a time.

You will be considered eligible to apply for an extension of status if:

• You are working toward the original program objective shown in section 4 of your most recent DS-2019.
• You are maintaining your status as a J-1 Exchange Visitor Student.
• You can show that they have adequate funding for yourself and any J-2 dependents during the proposed extension (minimum $18,000 per year).
• You (including J-2 dependents, if any) are currently maintaining and continue to maintain health insurance coverage that meets J-visa requirements.

You will need to submit the following documents in order to request an extension on your DS-2019:

(1) A completed Department Approval Request for Extension of Program Form with the signature of the concerned department head,

(2) A copy of the new offer letter showing the amount and duration of support, and the new program end date.

A concerned personnel from the student's host department will need to fill this Google form with all relevant information and upload both of the above-mentioned documents.

• If the I-94 is marked with a specific end date and not "D/S," please contact IPS immediately. You may need to travel outside the US to complete your extension.
• Processing the extension may take up to 14 working days, so please apply in advance. IPS is unable to process a program extension after your DS-2019 end date has arrived.

 

• If your major or program level changes while you are here on your program, you will need to submit this information to IPS so we can update your record and issue a new DS-2019.
• Please visit this page for necessary information on how to proceed with changing your level or major. Feel free to contact IPS if you have any questions or concerns.

• If you are a J-1 Exchange Visitor student that is currently at Michigan Tech that would like to bring a spouse or child to the United States, you will need to fill out our Dependent Request Google Form with the required information for us to process the J-2 DS-2019s. More information can be found on our website here.

• J-2 dependents are eligible to work either part-time or full-time (irrespective of whether it is during the academic year or a break), provided they have authorization from USCIS. An Employment Authorization Document (EAD) will need to be obtained before the dependent is able to begin working. Visit this page for details about J-2 dependent employment.
• Once an EAD is issued, the dependent must begin the process to receive a Social Security Number (SSN). For details on how to apply for an SSN, click here.
• Please review all the information provided on the Rules for J-2 Dependents webpage.

There are two ways to obtain F-1 status if you are already in the United States as a J-1 student:

1. You can submit an application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
2. You may request admission to an F-1 program at Michigan Tech, and when you receive an acceptance letter and (F-1) I-20, you can return to your home country and apply for an F-1 visa from there.

Please refer to this page for detailed information.

• The two year home residency requirement is termed "212(e)" and it applies to some J-1 Exchange Visitors (EVs). If you are subject to this requirement, it should be mentioned on your visa or at the bottom of your DS-2019.
• For more information, refer to the Home Residency Requirement webpage.

• Upon completion of your program, you and your J‐2 dependents are allowed a 30‐day grace period to depart the United States. It is critical that you depart the United States on time, prior to the end of your grace period. You are not authorized to work during the grace period.