MAINTAINING YOUR J-1 VISA STATUS

International Scholar ServicesOffice of International Programs (OIP)

The University of Texas at San Antonio

Welcome to The University of Texas at San

Antonio

We hope your stay at UTSA is enjoyable and

successful!

Important Things to Remember Regarding your J-1 Visa Status

While in the United States on a J-1 visa, you need to know and understand the following important information to maintain your immigration status.

Local U.S. Address

Change in local U.S. address must be reported to International Scholar Services within 10 days such change occurs.

Failure to report such change may negatively effect your J-1 visa status.

Report change of address using the provided url: http://international.utsa.edu/forms/change-of-address-form/

Passport Maintenance

Passport must be valid at all times

Passport renewal must be reported to International Scholar Services

Passport should be valid for at least six months into the future

Check your expiration date!Don’t forget to renew you passport well

ahead of time.

I-94 Form

I-94 Form is a Record of your Arrival/Departure, which permits you to remain in the U.S. It is valid for “D/S” (Duration of Status), e.g., until the end date noted on the DS-2019 Form or the end of your program, whichever comes first, as long as you follow the regulations. The I-94 Form is also used in conjunction with a valid passport to determine employment eligibility.

I-94 Form

I-94 Form can be given to you as a white card or you can print it using US Customs & Border Protection web-site upon arrival to the United States.

If your I-94 Form is in the form of a card, please affix the card to your passport. If you lose your I-94 Form, you can re-print it using US Customs & Border Protection web-site.

Use this link to print your I-94 Form: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/request.html

Paper I-94

I-94 Number

Expiration of your visa status

Visa Type

Date of Entry into the U.S.

Electronic I-94

I-94 NumberExpiration of your visa status

Date of Entry into the U.S.Visa Type

Visa Stamp

Unless you are a Canadian citizen, a valid visa stamp is required in your passport in order to enter or re-enter the U.S. from abroad. However, it does not need to be valid for the length of your stay inside of the U.S.

Visa stamp can only be obtained or renewed at a U.S. Consulate or Embassy.

Most J-1 visitors are issued visas with multiple (“M”) entries. This allows you to travel in and out of the United States as you deem appropriate without having to obtain a new visa each time you seek to re-enter the U.S.

Visa Stamp

Photo

DS-2019 Form

This form is the Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 Exchange Visitor. It is your responsibility to maintain this document current and active (unexpired) while you are engaged in any J-1 visa program activities in the United States with or without any compensation.

The form has your unique identification number called SEVIS Number (in the right hand corner). SEVIS is an abbreviation of the Student Exchange Visitor Information System.

DS-2019 Form

SEVIS ID

Exchange Visitor CategoryProgram Dates

Travel Endorsement/Signature

Scholar/Student Signs

UTSA Banner & UTSA ID

UTSA Banner ID: Your Banner ID is an electronic identifier used to access UTSA online services and to identify

yourself to University offices. A UTSA Banner ID has already been created for you. If you do not know your Banner ID, please refer to your hosting department.

UTSA Identification Card: A UTSA ID card enables use of many facilities on campus and allows you to utilize the campus

bus service for free. You should apply for a UTSA ID card soon after arriving at the University. Your hosting department will provide assistance in the issuance of your ID.

Library Access & Public Transportation

UTSA Library Access: The University has a wealth of resources available online and in the campus libraries. Your

UTSA ID will serve as your library card and your UTSA Banner ID will give you online access to library materials.

The John Peace Library (JPL) is the University’s main library. To learn more about the electronic information resources and services offered by the General Libraries, visit https://lib.utsa.edu/

Public Transportation: The bus system includes the UTSA shuttle busses (however the VIA city busses offers routes

to and from UTSA campuses). The UTSA shuttle busses are free to all scholars and students. For the VIA bus system a card must be purchased and more info can be found at http://www.viainfo.net/Ride/Default.aspx

Extension

If program extension is needed, DS-2019 Form must be renewed by International Scholar Services as per request of the UTSA sponsoring department.

J-1 Program Extension Form can be found at: http://international.utsa.edu/forms/exchange-visitor-extension/

Extension request must be submitted well ahead of the DS-2019 Form program expiration date.

Failure to apply for extension may result in the loss of J-1 status.

Health Insurance

Regulations require all persons holding J-1 visas, and their accompanying J-2 dependents while they are in the United States, to be covered by health insurance which meets the following minimum standards: Medical Benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or

illness with a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.

Repatriation of remains coverage in the amount of $25,000.

Expenses associated with medical evacuation to the home country in the amount of $50,000.

It is the J visa holder’s responsibility to maintain and provide proof of the required insurance coverage.

Health Insurance Continued

UTSA EMPLOYEE MEDICAL INSURANCE ELIGIBLILTY: Full-time Employees: All full-time (40 hours) benefits-eligible employees have insurance

coverage from their first day of employment. Full-time employees must have 31 days from their date of hire to elect optional benefits or add dependents.

Part-time Employees: All part-time (20-29 hours) benefits-eligible employees and their covered dependents must elect insurance coverage within 31 days from their date of hire or they will not have any insurance coverage.

All other Exchange Visitors: J-1 Exchange Visitors who receive all of their funding from home or who are appointed at UTSA for less than 20 hours per week and/or less than 4.5 months are not eligible for UTSA employee insurance.

Employment Authorization

You may work with or without compensation providing that it is directly related to your program requirements.

Employment must end by the program end date noted on the form DS-2019.

Unauthorized employment is not permitted and may negatively effect J-1 visa status.

Travel

J-1/J-2 visa holders must have a valid (unexpired) passport, valid visa and current (valid) DS-2019 that has been endorsed (signed) by a representative at International Scholar Services in order to re-enter the U.S. after a trip abroad.

Please contact International Scholar Services to request travel signature prior to scheduled departure.

Traveling outside of the U.S. without an authorized ISS signature may negatively effect your J-1 visa status.

Occasional Lectures/ Consultations

Research scholars/professors may participate in occasional lectures and/or short-term consultations with prior approval of International Scholar Services.

Please contact International Scholar Services for questions/guidance.

Concurrent Academic Enrollment

Concurrent academic enrollment is available only with department sponsor’s written consent and authorization from International Scholar Services. Coursework undertaken must directly relate to your J-1 program participation.

Please contact International Scholar Services for questions/guidance.

Program Completion

At the program completion your sponsoring UTSA department must fill in and return “End of Program Form”.

Please contact International Scholar Services to receive this form.

J-1 Program Completion Form can be found at: http://international.utsa.edu/forms/report-end-of-j-1-exchange-visitors-program/

Grace Period

If you will not be extending your stay in the U.S., you have 30 days after the expiration date on DS-2019 OR the date your program ends, whichever is earlier, to leave the U.S.

During this grace period, you are permitted to engage in activities similar to those of a tourist, but you are not permitted to work or earn money.

There is no grace period for someone who terminates their program more than thirty days prior to the noted end date on the form DS-2019.

Transfer or Changes in Employment

You must notify International Scholar Services well in advance of any changes in your employment situation or transfer to another institution. Please discuss it with the International Scholar Services Advisor.

Social Security Card

If you receive payment, you must obtain a Social Security card. The letter from our office will be provided, if necessary.

Social Security Card is not necessary for individuals employed without compensation.

Change of Status

Change of Status: New offers of employment and changes in current employment may require a change of

status. Contact your Scholar Services advisor in advance of such changes to determine eligibility for a change of status to enable continued employment.

An application for a change to another nonimmigrant status will require a minimum of three to six months (possibly longer – depending on current USCIS processing times) for processing by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

NOTE: If you are subject to the 212(e) two-year home residence requirement, you will not be eligible for a change of status from within the United States.

Taxes

WHEN TO FILE TAXES: Internal Revenue Services (IRS) regulations require the submission of federal income tax

forms by April 15th for the previous tax year. (January - December). It is your responsibility to complete and mail your tax return by the April 15th deadline, even if you are no longer in the United States.

WHAT TO FILE: Form 8843 – filed by all non residents for tax purposes, including J-2 dependents (even if no

U.S. sourced income was received). If you are a resident for tax purposes, you are not required to file Form 8843.

Form 1040NR-EZ or 1040NR – filed by non residents who have U.S. sourced income. Even if you are exempt from tax under a tax treaty, you must report your earnings by completing an income tax return. J-1 scholars who have become residents for tax purposes should file form 1040 or 1040EZ (resident tax forms).

Taxes Cont’d

People who work in the U.S. must file an annual income tax return, regardless of where their income originates or whether they are eligible for a tax treaty benefit.

Please contact Nnennaya Ikwuagwu/Payroll Services at: Nnennaya.Ikwuagwu@utsa.edu to schedule an appointment or call at: 210-458-8024. Appointment is mandatory, if you are a paid employee at UTSA.

GLACIER Payroll Profile

If you are a new employee, you must complete a GLACIER profile once your hiring department processes your assignment. GLACIER is used to collect information about your immigration status, citizenship, country of residence and history of presence in the United States. This information is necessary in order to determine tax filing status and applicable tax treaty benefits.

Please contact Nnennaya Ikwuagwu/Payroll Services for assistance at: Nnennaya.Ikwuagwu@utsa.edu to schedule an appointment or call at: 210-458-8024. Appointment is mandatory, if you are a paid employee at UTSA.

J-2 Dependents/J-2 Employment

You can request the issuance of J-2 Certificate of Eligibility for your spouse and un-married children under 21 years old.

J-2 Dependent Form can be found at: http://international.utsa.edu/forms/dependent-ds-2019/

International Scholar Services can provide you the information on how a J-2 visa holder may apply to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (U.S.CIS) for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that allows him or her to work. Please refer to our handout at: http://international.utsa.edu/forms/j-2-employment/

The income will be taxed, even if the J-1 has a tax treaty benefit.

Departure Checklist

Early exit: Email Scholar Services if you are leaving the United States for more than 30 days prior to the end date on your DS-2019 Form.

Pay your University fees, if applicable. This includes any outstanding fees that you may have accrued on campus for services such as your UTSA ID, printing, and University Health Services.

Save all of your immigration documents. Keep all of your DS-2019s, passports, I-94 records, and visas even after they expire. They may be helpful when arranging your future trips to the United States. Also be sure to keep your Social Security Card, Texas Driver’s License and UTSA ID.

Request the return of your apartment deposit from your apartment complex or landlord. NOTE: 30-60 day notice of move out may be required by your lease.

Make sure you have received reimbursement on all of your medical insurance claims, if you filed any for yourself or your dependents. Also update your forwarding address with the insurance company if any reimbursement is still do to you.

Close your bank account if you do not intend to return to the United States.

Campus Maps

International Scholar Services Contacts

Director/Advisor : Tanya OrndorffTanya.Orndorff@utsa.edu 210-458-7266

Assistant Director/Advisor : Ashley WallaceAshley.Wallace@utsa.edu 210-458-8510

Administrative Associate II: Eduardo “Eddie” AlvarezEduardo.Alvarez@utsa.edu 210-458-6571

http://international.utsa.edu/scholar/

Office of International

Programs

International Scholar Services

We wish you success in your academic or research program.

Thank You!

Orientation Attestation and Understanding

(Please review, sign, and return to International Scholar

Services)