Who do I contact to get information about sponsoring an exchange visitor at UH?
Can I hire someone into a tenure-track, indefinitely renewable, or APT position using J-1 sponsorship?
How long does it take to get the initial Form DS-2019 from FSIS?
When does a prospective exchange visitor make a visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate?
What does a prospective exchange visitor do if the visa is denied?
What does a prospective exchange visitor do with the paper Form DS-2019 if the visa is denied or program is canceled?
Can a dependent enter the U.S. in J-2 status before the J-1 exchange visitor arrives to start the program?
How important is the Form I-94 record?
Why do J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents need to register with FSIS?
If an exchange visitor or J-2 dependent will travel out of the U.S. temporarily, what must they do before departing?
If an exchange visitor or J-2 dependent must return to the home country due to an emergency, but the Form DS-2019 is not validated for travel, what should they do?
Can a J-2 dependent work in the U.S.?
Can a J-2 dependent study in the U.S.?
Who do I contact to get information about sponsoring an exchange visitor at UH?
Departments need to contact their HR specialist for the college/school unit regarding the specific policies for hosting exchange visitors. For information about immigration requirements, departments may contact an International Scholar Specialist (Janet or Pei-Chin).
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Can I hire someone into a tenure-track, indefinitely renewable, or APT position using J-1 sponsorship?
No. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has made it clear that the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is intended strictly for temporary educational and cultural exchange activities and not for regular employment. It is therefore not an option for APT and most faculty (BU 07) positions. UH units must request E-3, H-1B, O-1, or TN classification for tenure-track positions, and APT positions and non-tenure track faculty positions that are renewable annually on an indefinite basis. J-1 sponsorship cannot be used as an initial screening mechanism to determine whether to hire an individual into an indefinite regular employment position at a later date.
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How long does it take to get the initial Form DS-2019 from FSIS?
It depends. If a complete DS-2019 Initial Request packet is submitted and all requirements are met, we should be able to issue a Form DS-2019 within 5-7 business days. Significant delays are commonly attributed to incomplete requests.
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When does a prospective exchange visitor make a visa interview appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate?
The individual needs to schedule the appointment as soon as possible after receiving the Form DS-2019 from the International Scholar Specialist and paying the SEVIS I-901 fee.
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What does a prospective exchange visitor do if the visa is denied or the program is canceled?
The individual must contact their faculty sponsor, college/school HR specialist, and FSIS. Please provide a copy of the denial letter and any information shared with you by the embassy officer.
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What does a prospective exchange visitor do with the paper Form DS-2019 if the visa is denied or the program is canceled?
The individual must destroy the paper DS-2019.
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Can a dependent enter the U.S. in J-2 status before the J-1 exchange visitor arrives to start the program?
No. If the exchange visitor has not yet arrived in J-1 status, the dependent may not enter the U.S. in J-2 status. J-2 status is contingent upon the exchange visitor being in J-1 status.
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How important is the Form I-94 record?
Extremely important. The Form I-94 record serves as the main evidence of the person’s legal status in the U.S. and it is used to track the duration of the person’s presence in the U.S. When a J-1 holder enters the U.S. and receives a new Form I-94 record, the Form I-94 must always show “J-1” as the immigration status and “D/S” as the period of authorized stay. J-1 exchange visitors may access their Form I-94 record on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s I-94 website.
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Why do J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents need to register with FSIS?
U.S. Department of State regulations requires UH as a program sponsor to provide orientation for our exchange visitors. Orientation/registration appointments are necessary for FSIS to effectively convey important information to exchange visitors and their dependents. After the appointment is finished, we validate the exchange visitor’s program in SEVIS. Program validation cannot be done unless we have met with the exchange visitor. If the person’s program is not validated on time, their status will automatically change to “No Show” and they may lose their legal immigration status in the U.S.
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If an exchange visitor or J-2 dependent will travel out of the U.S. temporarily, what must they do before departing?
See the travel abroad and reentry procedures.
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If an exchange visitor or J-2 dependent must return to the home country due to an emergency, but the Form DS-2019 is not validated for travel, what should they do?
See the “travel emergencies” section of the travel abroad and reentry procedures.
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Can a J-2 dependent work in the U.S.?
Yes, as long as the J-2 dependent is authorized to work and their income will not support the exchange visitor.
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Can a J-2 dependent study in the U.S.?
Yes.
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