You must maintain your status throughout your J program by following U.S. Department of State regulations. If you do not maintain status your Exchange Visitor Program can be terminated, you will have to leave the U.S., and you may have trouble returning to the U.S. to work or study in the future.
Steps to Maintain Status
- Maintain a valid passport & DS-2019. Do not let them expire!
- Keep your immigration documents safe. Do not put them in your checked luggage when traveling.
- Read our travel information. Get approval from your advisor in the Center for Global Engagement (CGE) before you leave the U.S. There are limits on how long you can be away. If you need to travel outside of the U.S. for more than a few weeks you must fill out an Out of Country Form, and your J-2 dependents must leave the country with you.  Â
- Report any change of physical address, telephone number, or personal email address within ten days. Contact your advisor in the CGE each time you move and within ten days of your move so your SEVIS record can be updated.
- Maintain required health insurance for you and your dependents at all times. Â Â Â Â
- Never work before getting permission in advance from your advisor in CGE. Working without authorization – even without payment – becomes part of your permanent immigration record. It can lead to denial of future immigration benefits or a requirement to leave the U.S. immediately. You are only allowed to work and be compensated if it is documented on your DS-2019 in advance.
- Engage in your J program activity.
- Notify CGE immediately via the Incident Report form if any serious incident involving you or your dependents occurs. This may include, but is not limited to, serious illness or injury, death, arrest, missing person, abuse, or negative press.
- You must leave the U.S. within 30 days from the end of your program.