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J-1 Visa Information for Language House Head Residents
The J-1 visa website of The International Center at the University of Missouri-Columbia was used as a guide in the formation of the J-1 visa information of the Colorado College International Studies Program website. General Information & Applying for a J-1Visa The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. Its purpose is to enhance the understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. Through the Exchange Visitor Program, international scholars may visit the United States temporarily to teach, lecture, study, observe, conduct research, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills. Colorado College is a designated sponsoring organization to facilitate the entry of international scholars into the United States to complete the objective of the program categories for J-1 visas. At the conclusion of their visit, participants are expected to return to their home countries. The International Studies Program administers the Colorado College’s Exchange Visitor Program, and issues the Form DS-2019 that exchange visitors use to apply at an American embassy or consulate for the J-1 visa to enter the United States. If you have been offered employment by Colorado College, you should be in communication with a faculty advisor and/or the residential life coordinator who is helping you with the details of your arrival. In order for us to complete the DS-2019 form please be prepared to provide the following: current email and mailing address; birth date; city and country of birth; country of citizenship; country of legal permanent residence; proof of health insurance; and if you have previously been a J-1 exchange visitor in the United States, the end date of the most recent J-1 program. With this information the International Studies Program will be able to complete the electronic application Form DS-2019 and send it to the dean of faculty. The dean of faculty will send the Form DS-2109 and your contract letter to your mailing address. Please follow the Instructions for processing Form DS-2019. Once you have visited your U.S. Consular Officer and have successfully acquired a J-1 visa, please communicate your arrival details with your faculty advisor and departmental staff assistant. You have 30 days before and after your program’s beginning and end dates for travel. Please contact the International Studies Program when you arrive on campus, so we can greet you, and validate your arrival with SEVIS. Detailed information about the Exchange Visitor Program is available on the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor web site: www.travel.state.gov Your Immigration Documents Once you receive your DS-2109 from Colorado College you can make an appointment with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate to apply for your J-1 visa. Be sure to submit your SEVIS fee payment in time to allow the processing of the payment to be completed 3 days prior to the visa interview. Fees will not be payable at the consulate. Bring your receipt of payment of the SEVIS fee along with your valid passport and your Form DS-2019 to the visa interview. The application process varies from country to country, so you should contact the consular office in your country regarding its visa application process prior to making the application. Please be aware that a visa does not guarantee entrance into the U.S. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has the authority to deny admission at the port of entry. You should make sure to have all of your documents in order upon arrival. Before you leave the airplane the flight attendant will pass out an I-94 card for you to fill out with information regarding your arrival in the U.S. At the port of entry immigration officials will inspect your passport, visa, and statement of financial support. They will also stamp your documents as proof of your legal entry into the U.S. Your Form I-94 is usually stapled in your passport. It documents your entry, including your status and length of time you can stay in the U.S., on your visa. When you travel, carry important documents with you. Do not place them in a suitcase.
Health Insurance Requirements Maintaining Legal Status J-1 exchange visitors are at all times expected to maintain the following:
If you plan to travel outside the U.S., please visit the International Studies Program with your Form DS-2019 for travel endorsement at least two weeks prior to your departure date. Otherwise, you may not be able to return to the United States. Language House Head Resident SEVIS Subcategory
Travel Abroad Information during your visit at Colorado College When traveling outside the U.S., J-1 exchange visitors must have in their possession the proper documents to return to the U.S. to resume their activities. These documents are:
Employment and Academic Training Academic training is work, training, or experience related to a student's field of study. Academic training may involve sequential or simultaneous activities, either paid or unpaid, with several employers, U.S. or foreign, provided the application and approval procedures are followed for each employer and activity, and the time limits are not exceeded. The following criteria must be met to be eligible for academic training: • Academic training must be done with a specific employer or training site, and be directly related to the major field of study listed on #4 "Subject/Field Code Description" on your Form DS-2019. For example, if your subject/field code reads "Spanish language" because you are a head resident of Spanish House, you must apply for internships that are related to the Spanish language. A specific description of the training opportunity is required. • You must have a job offer in writing. • Training must begin within 30 days of the end of your program with Colorado College. • Paid internships are possible; unpaid internships must include documentation proving ability to support yourself. • You must receive written approval in advance from the international studies program for the duration and type of academic training. Time limitations for Academic Training: • The goals and objectives of the specific training program; • A description of the training program, including its location, the name and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training; • How the training relates to the student's major field of study; and Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the exchange visitor student. For more information contact the international studies program,Tel.: (719) 227-8282 and/or the Career Center's Internship program,Tel.: (719) 389-6893. Employment in J specialist status:J-1 exchange visitors under the specialist category are eligible to engage in the educational activities asoutlined on their Form DS-2019. Your employment is both job and site specific, as stated on the Form DS-2019. A change in department or to another category of job is not permitted.
Required Documents:
Dependent Information J-2 dependents are defined as a spouse or an unmarried minor child of a J-1 exchange visitor. If you plan to be accompanied by your spouse or your children, you must send their place of birth, birth date, occupation, and citizenship to the International Studies Program to complete their Form DS-2019. J-2 dependents:
J1 Visa Information - Important Definitions Admission Number: a unique 11-digit number assigned to non-immigrants as they enter the U.S. This number can be found on the I-94 Arrival / Departure Record. Arrival / Departure Record: Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019): "D/S" - Duration of Status: Employment Authorization Document (EAD): Department of State (DOS): J-1 Exchange Visitor: Non-Immigrant: Out-of-Status: Passport: Reinstatement: Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO): SEVIS Fee: Transfer: Two-year home country physical presence requirement: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): Visa: |
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