The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

1. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program US Forest Service International Programs Presented by Brenda Dean, International Visitor Program Coordinator

2. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act)-1961 Objective: “To increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.”

3. What you need to know… • Overview of the J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Program • J-1 EV Program Categories • Entry, Arrival & Immigration Documents • Travel outside the USA • How to Maintain your “J” Status • Insurance, Address changes, Program Activities & limitations (Employment) • J-2 Dependents • 2-year Home Residency Requirement - 212(e) • Program Completion or Extensions • Departure Reports, 30-day grace period

4. Academic Government Visitor* International Visitor Professor Research Scholar* Short-Term Scholar* Specialist* Students (College/University) Students (secondary) Teacher (secondary) Private Sector Alien Physician Au Pair Camp Counselor Summer Work/Travel Trainee Categories of J-1 Exchange Visitors Note: All categories have different purposes, rules & time limitations. *The US Forest Service sponsors visitors in the four underlined.

5. Government Visitors Visits/Tours Meetings Workshops/Seminars Max Program: 18 months Research Scholars Collaborative Research Lectures, Consultations Max Program: 5 years Educational Exchange Activitieswith the Forest Service Specialists Observation Demonstrations Consultations Max Program: 12 months Short-Term Scholars Collaborative Research Lectures, Consultations Max Program: 6 months

6. Department of State • Program Sponsor • Government Agencies • Universities • Exchange Organizations Department of Homeland Security Visa Services Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs Bureau for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) • Oversees Program & Reporting Activities • Issues & Modifies DS-2019s • Provides Orientation • Host - Site of Activity Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Exchange Coordination - Academic and Gov’t Programs US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) The J-1 Exchange Visitor ProgramResponsible Agencies & Organizations

7. Department of State • Program Sponsor • Government Agencies • Universities • Exchange Organizations Department of Homeland Security Visa Services Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs Bureau for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) • Oversees Program & Reporting Activities • Issues & Modifies DS-2019s • Provides Orientation • Host - Site of Activity Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) Exchange Coordination - Academic and Gov’t Programs US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) The J-1 Exchange Visitor ProgramResponsible Agencies & Organizations The relationships among agencies are complex and often confusing to visitors.

8. Form DS-2019Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status

9. Form DS-2019Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status • Issued through SEVIS –Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for the purpose of tracking EV activities (SEVIS # - Box 1) • by Program Sponsor’s (Box 2) Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) (Box 7) • to a specific individual (Exchange Visitor) who meets program eligibility criteria (Box 1)

10. Form DS-2019Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status • for a specificProgram, Field & Category (Box 4) • for which sufficient Funding has been demonstrated (Box 5) • for the specific Program Period (Box 3). • Consular Officials (DOS) review the form andgrant J-1 visas.(Box 6) • Border Patrol & Customs Officials (DHS)permit entry into the USA in J-1 Status.

11. Passports & J-1 Visas • Passport must be valid 6 months into the future at all times • J-1 Visa issued by US Consular Officer • Visa Number - (in red) • Lengths of Validity Differ • If you exit the USA, you must have valid passport, visa & DS-2019 to re-enter in J status • Familiarize yourself with the processes and timelines for • Passport renewal • Application for new visa (exiting & re-entering)

12. Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Card • Issued by Customs & Border Patrol Official at Port of Entry • Serves as proof of entry & immigration status • Defines Length of Stay – • J-1 EVs should have “D/S” stamped on I-94, passport and DS-2019 – DURATION OF STATUS (Duration of Stay – Duration of Status) • Keep this card stapled in your passport – It is an important record! • Will be taken from you as you exit the country (Exception – some travel to Canada and Mexico)

13. Travel • DS-2019 must be endorsed (signed) for travel by RO/ARO (Box in lower right hand corner - Complete request form online) • Endorsement valid 12 months • Must have valid Visa & Passport to re-enter • Exceptions – Canada and Mexico – Ask IP before traveling! ALWAYS CONSULT INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE BEFORE TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE USA

14. Responsibilities Exchange Visitors/ J-1 Visa Holders must: • Engage in Cultural Exchange Activities • Participate in Educational Activities • Maintain “J-1 Status” (Abide by all immigration & Program policies)

15. Cross-cultural Activities • Experience anything typical or representative of North American societies and cultures • Interact with American friends & colleagues • Take part in Forest Service activities • Participate in Community activities

16. Cross-cultural Activities • Experience anything typical or representative of North American societies and cultures • Interact with American friends & colleagues • Take part in Forest Service activities • Participate in Community activities

17. Maintaining “J” Status • Engage in approved program activities as designated by the US Forest Service • Have mandatory insurance coverage for self and all dependents • Provide new addresses/contact info with in 10 days of any change of location • Do not perform any activity outside the approved program activities

18. Insurance Requirements Mandatory for J-1 Visa Holders • Cover illness and accidents • $50,000 minimum • $500 deductible • $10,000 medical evacuation • $7,500 repatriation of remains

19. Contact Information • Notify IP of new address/contact information within 10 days of a change! – SEVIS • Complete Change of Address Form and return it to the IP Office • Failure to notify sponsor of address change is a violation of J-1 status

20. Engage only in approvedProgram Activities • Established Educational and Cultural Exchange Program – Approved Activities • No Unauthorized Employment or Educational Activities

21. J-2 Dependants • Spouse and unmarried children below 21 • Adequate funding • Must have health insurance • May travel separately from J-1. However, J-1 cannot leave the country for more than 30 days without J-2 dependents • J-2 may apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card)

22. Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement What does it mean? An EV J-1 Visa Holder and his/her J-2 dependents are not eligible for: • Permanent Residency (green card) • H visa (temporary workers and dependents) • L visa (intra-company transferees) before they have been physically present in their home country for 2 years (cumulative).

23. Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement Who is subject? • Government Funded Exchange Program Participants • Those who have skills on the “Skills List” • Receiving graduate medical education or training

24. Waivers of the 2-year Home Presence Requirement? Information is available on the official Department of State Website. Criteria: • No Objection Statement from home government • Request by an interested US Government Agency • Fear of Persecution • Exceptional Hardship to a US citizen spouse or child • Request by a designated State Dept of Health

25. Departure Requirements • Departure Report – Exchange Visitor • Program Completion Report – Advisor • 30 day grace period for travel

26. 24-Month Bar • Exchange Visitors who participate as Professors or Research Scholars are not eligible to participate in another program as a Professor of Research Scholar until 24 months after the completion date of their previous program. There are no exceptions for programs of less than 6 months.

27. 12-Month Bar • Individuals who have been present in the United States in any “J” classification other than short-term scholar, and who have participated in a program of more than 6 months, are not eligible to start a new program as a Professor or Research Scholar until 12 months after the completion date of the previous program.

28. Disclaimer It is ultimately the Exchange Visitor’s responsibility to understand and abide by immigration regulations to which s/he is subject. The International Programs Office makes every effort to inform international visitors associated with the US Forest Service of the policies governing their programs; however, regulations change rapidly and are quite complex. International visitors and scholars should stay informed and abreast of immigration policies that concern their programs and stays in the United States.

29. Forms Please complete the following forms immediately upon arrival: • Arrival Form • Address Form • Insurance Form • Debit Card Receipt • Receipt of Handbook/Acceptance of Responsibility

30. USDA Forest Service International Programs 1099 14th Street, NW Suite 5500W, Washington, DC 2005 202-273-4695 Brenda Dean International Visitor Program Coordinator Responsible Officer Patricia Paugh Alternate Responsible Officer

31. Have a wonderful experience!