J Scholars must pursue the program objectives as stated on the DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. Changes in program objectives are generally not allowed by the Exchange Visitor Program.

J Scholars should not engage in any employment that is unrelated to their original program objectives. They are permitted to work at the location(s) listed on the DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status only. J Scholars must obtain prior written authorization from International Student Affairs for additional employment that is in accordance with the regulations.

The U.S. requires all J-1 Exchange Visitors and their dependents to carry health insurance for the full duration of their J program that meets minimum federal requirements. TnCIS and the Tennessee Board of Regents insurance policy for international students meets this requirement and is recommended for use by all J Scholars.  International Student Health Insurance information, current costs, and sign-up is available from International Student Affairs.

Immigration regulations require that all non-citizens report any changes to their residential addresses within 10 days. TnCIS J Scholars may report their change of address via email to the International Student Affairs. Scholars sponsored by other institutions should contact their program sponsors directly regarding change of address.

Note: Dependents of J-1 Scholars are expected to reside with the J-1 Scholar.

J Scholars may apply for an extension to their DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status if the sponsoring department wishes to extend the stay and the J category allows extension. The sponsoring department should complete the DS-2019 and return it to International Student Affairs at least one month before the current J-1 status expires, as noted on the scholar's DS-2019.

Please review the travel information below before making plans to travel abroad. J Scholars need a travel signature on their DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status prior to travel outside the U.S. Signatures may be obtained by completing a signature request form with International Student Affairs.

Please be sure to abide by any Special Registration requirements if a scholar was designated as a "Special Registrant" at a U.S. port of entry.

J Scholars and their J-2 dependents must depart the U.S. within 30 days of their DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status end date or program completion date, whichever is earlier. J Scholars completing their program and leaving the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the DS-2019 end date should notify International Student Affairs.

J Scholars may be eligible to switch program sponsors if they maintain their original program objective and remain in the same J category. J Sholars who intend to transfer from a TnCIS institution to another U.S. institution must complete a International Student Affairs SEVIS Release Transfer Form and International Student Verification Form).

Note: Scholars must complete the transfer process prior to beginning their program at the new institution and prior to the end date of the current DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.

J Scholars who intend to transfer to a TnCIS institution from another U.S. institution must complete the transfer before beginning their TnCIS program. The sponsoring department should follow the instructions for requesting an incoming scholar and provide International Student Affairs with a copy of the current DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. International Student Affairs will contact the other institution to discuss transfer of the DS-2019. The J Scholar is encouraged to discuss transfer out procedures with the current institution.

J Scholars in Short-Term Scholar and Research Scholar/Professor categories may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations at off-campus locations if they do not interfere with their current activities and are approved by the sponsoring department and International Student Affairs. The term occasional is generally understood to refer to single events rather than an ongoing activity. To request permission for an off-campus lecture or consultation, you will need to submit the following to International Student Affairs:

• Letter from current faculty sponsor or department head that confirms the lecture or consultation is directly related to your principal activity, is indeed incidental, and will not delay completion of your program. The letter must recommend approval and explain how the proposed activity would enhance your program.
• Letter of offer from the sponsor of the lecture or consultation describing the terms and conditions of the proposed activity, including the duration, the number of hours, the field or subject, the amount of compensation, and a description of the activity.

If approved, you will receive a letter granting you permission. To be paid, you must be an independent contractor and would use the letter as authorization to receive compensation.

The spouse and unmarried children aged of 21 or younger of the J Sscholar are eligible for J-2 status and a separate DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. J-2 Visa holders do not have to pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) fee. All J-2 dependents are required to maintain health insurance. International Student Affairs will issue the J-2 DS-2019 upon receipt of the following information:

• Copy of the dependent's biographical page of the passport showing full name, date of birth, and city of birth.
• Proof of sufficient funding for each dependent, $5000 per year on top of the current minimum required for the scholar.

J-2 dependents status in the U.S. is dependent on the J scholar's maintenance of status. J-2 dependents may study while in the U.S..

J-2 Visa holders may apply for work permission from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Permission is granted in the form of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) with authorized dates of employment. Applications take four or more months for approval. J-2 will need to make an appointment with International Student Affairs to file for employment authorization.

J Scholars may travel outside the U.S. for periods not to extend 30 days. The scholar and dependents will need the following for re-entry into the U.S.:

• A valid passport (if subject to passport requirement)
• A valid J-1 Visa (if subject to visa requirement)
• A travel signature from International Student Affairs
• Proof of financial support as indicated on the DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status
• Dependents: Dependent J-2 spouse and children must have their own DS-2019 and follow the same procedure as the exchange visitor for re-entry.

J Scholars may request a travel signature for travel of less than 30 days by submitting a Travel Request Form. Documents will be signed within five days, or upon submission of request form.

Travel outside the U.S. for longer than 30 days that is unrelated to the exchange program activity will result in termination of immigration status.

J Scholars in the Short-Term Scholar and Research Scholar/Professor category who will be participating in their exchange program during an absence outside the U.S. of 30 days must request "Out-of-Country" approval prior to leaving the U.S. To request "Out-of-Country" approval, the scholar must submit the following items to International Student Affairs with the Travel Request Form:

• Expected date of departure from U.S.
• Expected date of return to U.S.
• Name of foreign institution in which the scholar will continue to pursue the program activity while outside the U.S.
• Foreign institution full address
• Letter on College letterhead from the sponsoring department approving of the out-of-country activity and explain how the scholar will be an active participant in College's J Scholar & Exchange Program and will be pursuing the original program objective/activity outside the U.S.

If the "Out-of-Country" is approved, International Student Affairs will create a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) "Out-of-Country" and sign the DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status for travel. Upon return to the U.S., the scholar should report to International Student Affairs.

New visa stamps are issued at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate outside the U.S. J Scholars will need a valid passport, signed DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, evidence of financial support, and a letter from their department detailing their research for the visa application. Scholars should contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (opens new window) directly for additional requirements since the procedures and protocols may vary from Consulate to Consulate.

Some exchange visitors travelling to Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean countries excluding Cuba for fewer than 30 days may be eligible for automatic revalidation of their expired J-1 Visas. For information, contact International Student Affairs.