Welcome to the J-1 Visa Compliance Resource Page!
Policy Information
This page is a resource for J-1 visa policy information set forth by the U.S. Department of State which includes policies applicable to all class levels of student and scholar J-1 visa holders. For all USD specific expectations and procedures for our J-1 undergraduate exchange students, please visit USD Undergraduate Exchange Program.
For questions regarding travel and immigration documents, please Click here to download a quick guide that covers some frequently asked questions and answers.
Please carefully review the following rules & policies regarding your J-1 status.
This page is organized as follows:
- Documents
- Travel & Ending Program
- Reporting Responsibilities
- Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
- Employment - On & Off Campus (Academic Training)
- Free Mover
Documents
Essential documents for the J-1 student/scholar include:
You must maintain a valid passport at all times. Your passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future.
Unless you decide to apply for a California Driver's License or a California Identification Card, your passport will serve as your primary form of identification in most institutions outside of USD.
What to do if your passport gets lost or stolen:
- File a police report
- Contact your nearest embassy to inquire about passport replacement, or obtaining a travel document, within the United States
- Report the incident to OISS
Your J-1 visa is typically valid for the duration of your exchange program at USD. Should you decide to extend your program, you have the option of applying for a renewal of your J-1 visa either in your home country or at the US Consulate in Tijuana, Mexico. However, a visa renewal is not required if you do not plan on traveling outside of the US for the remainder of your exchange visit. Please consult with your USD exchange adviser if you have questions regarding future travel and the possibility of applying for a visa renewal.
What is the 212(e) printed on my J-1 visa page?
212(e) is a two-year home residency requirement to allow you to return to your home country and share what you have learned and experiences during your exchange semester(s) in the U.S. However, if you want to apply for working visas or permanent residency within this two-year period, you will need to file a 212(e) waiver. For more information, please check the U.S. Department of State's information on this topic.
Your Form DS-2019 - Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status is your main status document. It contains vital information about your exchange visit, including the reason and duration of your visit, as well as your host institution. If traveling outside the U.S. while your J-1 program is still active, please carry your Form DS-2019 with you as it will be required for re-entry. Also, make sure that the travel signature on your DS-2019 is still valid.
Note on program duration:
If your Form DS-2019 is expiring and you would like to extend your exchange visit for another academic term, please consult with OISS about the process of program extension. For program extension to be authorized, the J-1 student must obtain the permission of his/her home institution and must provide a few additional requirements. For procedures and deadlines relating to program extension, please consult with your OISS adviser.
If you lose your Form DS-2019, please let your OISS adviser know so we can provide you with a replacement as soon as possible.
The I-94 is the admission record maintained by the US Department of Homeland Security pertaining to your most current arrival in the United States. It contains information on your date of arrival, status upon admission, and your allowable duration of stay (which is generally based on your status of admission). The I-94 is a critical document in processes related to the application of status-related benefits, such as applying for a driver's license and a Social Security Number (if work-eligible), among others.
Retrieve your most recent I-94.
Please note that a new I-94 must be obtained every time you travel overseas and re-enter as a J-1 visitor. If you are encountering issues retrieving your I-94, or need a correction, please refer to this guide I-94 Procedures for Retrieval Corrections
Travel
Click here to download a quick guide that covers some frequently asked questions and answers.
Always carry your valid passport with J-1 visa, your valid DS-2019, and your most up-to-date I-94 document with you when you travel, particularly if you are traveling across the border to Mexico or Canada. You will not be issued a new I-94 upon your re-entry from a brief visit to Mexico or Canada, so make sure to present your I-94 printout with your DS-2019 and passport at the border.
Always enter the U.S.. as an exchange student by showing your J-1 visa. Never enter the U.S. as a tourist during your academic program at USD, even if you have a B1/B2 tourist visa.
Travel Advice Table
(Note: This table is for reference only and should not be used as a substitute for a one-on-one advising session with a licensed international student adviser at OISS. Whenever possible, please request for an appointment to discuss your intent to travel before making any travel arrangements.)
| Scenario / Question | Can I travel? (General) | Key Requirements to Re-enter U.S. | Main Risks / Warnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. I'm an enrolled F-1 or J-1 student, in valid status, planning a short trip abroad | Usually yes (Traveling while school is in session not recommended) |
Valid passport (6+ months beyond entry), valid F-1 or J-1 visa, I-20 or DS-2019 with recent travel signature, continued full-time enrollment. | Flight disruptions, consular delays if visa renewal needed, possible extra questioning at CBP. A consultation with OISS may be required. |
| 2. I'm from a country currently subject to a U.S. travel ban / proclamation | NOT advisable | Even with a valid visa/I-20, entry may be barred or heavily restricted by proclamation. | May be denied boarding or entry; rules can change quickly. MUST consult with OISS before travel. |
| 3. My F-1 visa is expired, but I'm in valid status and want to travel home | Risky because you must renew visa | Must apply for a new F-1 visa abroad (except some short trips under automatic revalidation). Need valid passport, I-20, SEVIS fee paid, proof of funding, enrollment, and ties to home country. | Visa interview backlogs, administrative processing (often 30–90+ days), possible visa denial. Travel only if prepared for extended stay abroad. |
| 4. I'm traveling to Canada/Mexico or certain Caribbean islands with an expired F-1 visa or J-1 | In some cases yes, via automatic revalidation | Trip must be 30 days or less, to Canada/Mexico/adjacent islands; must have unexpired I-94, valid passport, and properly signed I-20 or DS-2019. Not available if you apply for a new visa while there or are from certain restricted countries. | If you apply for a new visa and it's refused, you lose automatic revalidation. Country-specific bans may still block re-entry. |
| 5. I'm on post-completion OPT and want to travel | Possible but higher risk | Valid passport, unexpired F-1 visa, I-20 with travel signature (within 6 months), EAD card, and proof of employment or job offer. | If you lose your job or can't show employment, re-entry may be refused. Consular delays if visa renewal needed. |
| 6. I'm a J-1 visa holder on post-completion Academic Training and want to travel internationally | Technically allowed, but highly discouraged | New valid J-1 visa. Reapply for a J-1 visa (dependent on including all initial J-1 visa application documents and appointment availability) prior to re-entry in the U.S. | If you apply for a new J-1 visa and it is denied, you cannot reenter to complete your Academic Training. |
| 7. My OPT is pending and I want to travel | Technically allowed, but often discouraged | Before approval: passport, valid visa, I-20 with travel signature, OPT receipt (I-797). After approval: you must have a physical EAD and job offer to re-enter. | USCIS may issue RFEs or mail EAD while you're abroad; you may be unable to respond or receive the card. High risk of being stuck outside the U.S. if OPT is approved while away. |
| 8. I'm in my 60-day grace period after program/OPT and want to travel | Generally NOT recommended (Travel within the U.S., allowed; Departing the U.S. forfeits the grace period) |
F-1 status ends; you usually cannot re-enter in F-1 just to use grace period. You'd need a new status or new initial I-20/visa. | Likely refused entry in F-1; travel usually treated as departure with no right to return in the same F-1 record. Student may need to plan their return under the ESTA or B1/B2 visa. |
| 9. I've been outside the U.S. for close to 5 months | Requires a consultation with OISS before making plans to return to the U.S. under F-1 | SEVIS record may need to be reset as "initial," requiring a new I-20 and possibly new visa. | Risk of SEVIS termination and loss of continuity of status; may need to restart F-1, repay SEVIS fee, and re-enter as initial student. |
| 10. I need to renew my F-1 visa abroad | Yes, but plan ahead. (We recommend that you do not leave the U.S. until you secure a visa appointment.) | Schedule consular appointment early; bring I-20, transcripts, proof of enrollment, funding, and ties to home country. Expect enhanced vetting and possible administrative processing. | Long wait times, security checks, and possible visa denial. Students from certain countries may face extra scrutiny or bans. |
| 11. I have a pending H-1B change of status ("cap-gap") and want to travel | Travel not advisable | Travel can break the change-of-status request; you may need to obtain an H-1B visa abroad instead. | Risk of losing cap-gap protection and needing consular processing; must consult with your immigration attorney and inform OISS before travel. |
As a J-1 student/scholar, you are allowed a 30-day grace period to remain in the U.S. after the completion of your J-1 program. If you wish to travel to another country after the end of your academic program — even to neighboring countries such as Mexico and Canada — please be aware that you may not use your J-1 visa to re-enter the United States during the grace period, even if the intent is simply to collect your belongings and make final arrangements before leaving for your home country. Your grace period will immediately come to an end if you leave the U.S.
If you have a B-1/B-2 tourist visa or if you're a citizen of a visa-waiver country and you wish to stay in the U.S. past your 30-day grace period, you must first exit the U.S. before the end of your grace period and then re-enter as a tourist. Citizens of visa-waiver countries should register for an ESTA to re-enter the U.S. for up to 90 days following J-1 program completion. It is imperative that you check the ESTA website to learn the most up to date information regarding your travel.
For students who have an I-94 card (non-digital copy) and will be traveling home across the Mexican border by car or by foot: You will need to visit the I-94/Permisos office on the U.S. side outside of the “El Chaparral” border crossing and adjacent to the Las Americas Outlet mall (see map photo below). We suggest parking at Las Americas and walking there. Let the officer outside the office know that you need to hand in your paper I-94 card and say you are ending your stay as a J-1 student and wish to turn in your I-94 card to document that you are exiting the U.S.. Once this is done, you can walk or drive across the border.
Reporting Responsibilities
- You must report any change of local (U.S.) address to OISS within 10 days of your move.
- You must report any changes to your contact information (phone number, email) to OISS within 10 days of the change.
- You must report any incident that constitutes a major medical emergency for yourself or any of your dependents. This will include hospitalization from any accident or prolonged illnesses. You are also required to report critical incidents such as arrest by law enforcement or the violation of local/state/federal laws to OISS.
OISS is required to report such incidents to the Department of State’s J-1 Program Administration. Any situation that prevents you from carrying out your activities, duties, and obligations as a visiting student must be reported.
Full-Time Enrollment Requirement
J-1 students must enroll in a full course of study every Fall and Spring Semester.
12 credits minimum for undergraduate exchange and degree-seeking students
9 credits minimum for graduate exchange students, including degree-seeking J-1 scholarship-based graduate students (please note that your graduate program may require a higher minimum loading per semester)
Summer/Intersession enrollment is not permitted for exchange students as it’s not part of the exchange agreement.
It depends on how many courses you are registered for. If you have at least 15 credits, it would be possible to drop a 3-unit class as you would still be left with the minimum number of credits required by your visa status. However, if you are already at the minimum 12 credits, you will not be allowed to drop, even at the expense of your GPA. An unauthorized drop below 12 credits (or 9 for graduate students) constitutes a violation against your visa status.
Employment
There are two types of employment available to J-1 students: 1) On-campus Employment, and 2) Academic Training.
An on-campus job will require the student to obtain a Social Security Number for payroll and tax withholding purposes. Students will need two letters for their SSN application: an on-campus job offer letter and an endorsement letter from our office. You will be issued an endorsement letter only after you submit a work authorization request in iTorero. Please follow these steps after you receive a job offer:
IMPORTANT NOTE ON BACKGROUND CHECK: If you do not have a Social Security Number yet, you may input your passport number instead. Questions related to the background check should be directed to the Human Resources and initiated by the hiring manager.
- Obtain an offer letter from your hiring department or HR. The offer letter:
- Must be on the department letterhead AND signed by your supervisor/hiring manager. The letter must include the following information:
- Your full name (must match your full name as it appears on your passport)
- Job title
- Employment Start Date
- Number of hours/week
- USD Employer Identification Number: 95-2544535
- Employer Telephone Number
- Student's Immediate Supervisor
- Students can send this sample to their hiring department as a reference.
- Must be on the department letterhead AND signed by your supervisor/hiring manager. The letter must include the following information:
- Once you receive this letter, submit your Work Authorization request in iTorero (under J-1 Student and Scholar Services) in order to receive an endorsement letter from our office. Since the Social Security office requires a hard copy of this letter, you need to obtain the letter from the International Center once you receive an email confirming it is ready for pick-up. At this time, you will also receive additional information about applying for your SSN.
- Once you receive this endorsement letter, you will need to contact your nearest Social Security Administration office to schedule an appointment.
Final Reminder:
- It will take a few weeks to receive your SSN card after applying. However, you can legally begin working based on the date indicated on your on campus employment authorization letter issued by an OISS J-1 Responsible Officer while you are waiting to receive the card.
- A Social Security number is for tax/payment purposes, you do NOT need a SSN in order to have a background check. You can use your passport number for this purpose.
You must be within 30 days of your start date in order to apply for your SSN.
"Academic Training" (AT) is the name of the provision that allows J-1 students to engage in short-term internship or employment opportunities (paid or unpaid) in areas relevant to their field of study. You are permitted to pursue AT if the internship or short-term employment meets certain guidelines and you have prior authorization from a J-1 advisor at OISS. You will need to meet with a J-1 advisor at OISS to discuss the process and procedure at least 8 weeks before your DS-2019 expiration date.
You are eligible to apply for Academic Training if:
- Your DS-2019 has NOT expired.
- You have been maintaining good academic standing.
- You have received an offer of employment or internship in an area related to your field of studies.
- You are able to demonstrate sufficient finances to cover your expenses during the period of Academic Training. (Salary or remuneration from AT employment may cover this requirement.)
- You are able to demonstrate proof of insurance (that meets USD's insurance requirements) valid for the period of Academic Training.
Application Process
Please login to iTorero and fill out the e-form entitled "J-1 Academic Training Application"
- Submit a clear scan of your offer letter, proof of funds, and proof of insurance.
- Once we receive a statement of recommendation from your academic adviser (whose contact information you will be required to provide), we will proceed to processing your AT request.
- Upon approval of your Academic Training, you will receive the following documents:
- A letter of Academic Training authorization, meant for your employer or internship provider
- A new Form DS-2019, with new a new program end date and indicating the newly-authorized Academic Training
Processing Time
Approximately 5 business days.
Offer Letter Criteria
Please make sure your offer letter observes the following criteria, in order to meet AT requirements:
- Must be formally written on company letterhead
- Must include the following information:
- A brief description of your responsibilities during the internship
- Name of your supervisor
- Location of employment (physical address only; no P.O. box)
- Number of required hours per week
- Dates of actual training/employment
Time Limitations
Exchange students
Maximum AT may not exceed actual time earned as a full-time enrollee. For instance, a semester exchange student may spend up to 4 months of full-time Academic Training period, post completion.
Degree-seeking students
AT may be granted up to a maximum of 18 months, or the period of the full course of study, whichever is shorter. For instance, a student who is in the LL.M. program, which only runs for 10 months, may only do AT for 10 months.
AT Start Date
For AT after completion of studies, regulations state the AT must begin no later than 30 days after coursework has been completed.
Visa Renewal During Academic Training
It is possible for a J-1 student with an approved Academic Training request to apply for a new J-1 visa, if overseas travel is anticipated within the period of Academic Training. As is standard practice with visa applications, the J-1 student must already have the DS-2019 with the extended program dates, as well as all supporting documents pertinent to the Academic Training request, such as the offer of internship/employment, letter of support from the academic department, and, if necessary, recently-issued financial documents.
If the student is not expecting to travel overseas during the Academic Training period, then renewing one’s J-1 visa will not be necessary to maintain J-1 status in the U.S.
Academic Training and Social Security Numbers
A J-1 student on authorized Academic Training will be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number ( assuming the student has not worked on campus prior to pursuing AT). An endorsement letter (referred to as “sponsor letter”) will have to be issued by the student’s J-1 adviser, and will have to be presented when applying for the Social Security Number.
Volunteering
J-1 students maintaining status may engage in volunteer work provided they meet the criteria for what constitutes "volunteer" work, as defined by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Volunteering is service rendered specifically to "religious, charitable, and similar non-profit organizations" for reasons that are limited to "public service, religious, or humanitarian objectives," usually on a part-time basis and "without contemplation of pay." Any true volunteer experiences would need to fit this definition. Working at a company without getting paid is not the same thing as volunteering!
OISS Policy on Volunteering
We do not require J-1 students to obtain work authorization to engage in legitimate opportunities for volunteering. If you are doing some legitimate volunteer work, we highly recommend obtaining some documentation (such as a verification letter) that explains your participation and the nature of your work. This is a good document to have in your records.
Free Movers
For students interested in attending the University of San Diego as an exchange student on a J-1 visa who have NOT been nominated by an exchange partner university but currently attend a partner institution:
While USD does occasionally accept free mover students depending on variables such as per our capacity and student prior academic performance, free movers can stay at USD for a maximum of one semester only and they are subject to full USD tuition and fees. Unfortunately, we do not have any financial aid available for students in this category.
The University of San Diego only accepts free movers from our existing partnerships.
For further information about becoming and "Free Mover" please email exchangeprograms@sandiego.edu.
Please note
OISS attempts to provide the most recent, useful information to our students. However, we make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to here, the iTorero Portal, and in emails coming out of OISS.
Information provided by OISS does not constitute and should not be considered legal advice or a legal opinion, and it may not necessarily reflect the most current legal developments. OISS likewise cannot guarantee the outcome of status-related benefit requests filed with US government agencies. Students should seek the advice of counsel or a tax professional for additional guidance. OISS reminds students and scholars that failure to comply with F-1 and J-1 regulations is a violation of your status, which may result in serious consequences including the termination of your SEVIS record, your inability to re-enter the US, and the accrual of unlawful presence which could lead to your removal from the US.
Direct all questions regarding your F-1 and J-1 status to OISS, internationaloffice@sandiego.edu.