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1 Orientation Packet J-1 Exchange Visitors International and Postdoctoral Services Officee Georgia Regents University th Street, DA 2023 Augusta, GA Tel: Fax: gru.edu/diversity/ipso/ Orientation Information for (J-1) Exchange Visitors Georgia Regents University orientation material is designed to satisfy the equirements stated below in: 22 C F R 62.10(c) Sponsors shall provide appropriate orientation for all exchange visitors. Sponsors are encouraged to provide orientation for the exchangee visitor s immediate family, especially those who are expected to be in the United States for more than one year. Orientation shall include, but nott be limited to, information concerning: (1) Life and customs in the United States; (2) Local community resources (e.g. public transportation, medical centers,, schools, libraries, recreation centers, and banks), to the extent possible; (3) Available health care, emergency assistance, and insurancee coverage; (4) A description of the program in which the exchange visitors is participating; (5) Rules that the exchangee visitors are required to follow under the sponsor s program; (6) Address of the sponsor and the name and telephone number of the responsible officer; and (7) Address and telephone number the Exchange Visitor Program Services of the Department of State and a copy of the Exchange Visitor Program brochure outlining thee regulations relevant to the exchange visitors. Program Description The Exchange Visitor Program No. P at the Georgia Regents University, whichh is still valid and is officially described as follows: A program of Georgia Regents University to provide courses of study, lecturing, and research opportunities, in the various fields of instruction and research conducted by Georgia Regents Universityy for qualified foreign students and research scholars to promote the general interest of international educational and cultural exchange. Life & Customss in the United States International Student web site provides information about studying in U..S., insurance, scholarship search, loans, U.S. culture, and social life /links/index. html U.S. web site covering American culture, everyday life, and history

2 Community Resources Information about Augusta including recreation, local businesses, churches, hospitals, schools, etc. Social Security Administration Augusta Office 115 Robert C Daniel Parkway Augusta, GA (706) (Local) (800) (Toll-Free) (706) (TTY) National web site: Augusta Metropolitan Convention and Visitor s Bureau P.O. Box 1331 Augusta, GA (706) (Local) (800) (Toll-Free) Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce 600 Broad Street Plaza Augusta, GA (706) Augusta-Richmond County, Georgia Columbia County, Georgia Aiken County, South Carolina GA Department of Driver Services 3423 Mike Padgett Highway (GA 56) Augusta, GA (678) Evans-to-Locks Road Evans Ga (678) U.S. Postal Service Main Post Office th Street Augusta, GA (706) National web site: US Department of State Contact Information ACADEMIC AND GOVERNMENT DIVISION (AG) Mailing Address: U.S. Department of State Office of Designation Government and Academic Programs Division ECA/EC/AG SA-5, Floor C Street, NW Washington, DC Street Address (couriers): U.S. Department of State Office of Designation Government and Academic Programs Division ECA/EC/AG SA-5, Floor C Street, NW Washington, DC Telephone: (202) FAX number: (202) JVisas@state.gov Is responsible for the administration and oversight of the following categories: Government Visitor Research Scholar International Visitor Students (Secondary and Professor College/University) Short-Term Scholar Specialist Teacher

3 Tax Information GRU Tax Guide for Foreign Visitors Federal US Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service National web site: Publications 901 U.S. Tax Treaties: U.S. Tax Guide for Aliens: Information on the United States-Canada Income Tax Treaty: Certification for Reduced Tax Rates in Tax Treaty Countries: Treaty texts may be located at State Georgia Department of Revenue Individual taxes Emergency Assistance Emergency, Fire, Police (not on GRU campus) 911 GRU Public Safety (on campus) ; (706) (off campus) Work related emergencies; Employee Health ; (706) (off campus) Chaplaincy at GRU (available 24 hours through paging services) ; (706) (off campus)

4 Employment Outside of GRU J-l Faculty/Visiting Scholars The regulation Title 22, Section Employment (a) An exchange visitor may receive compensation from the sponsor or the sponsor's appropriate designee for employment when such activities are part of the exchange visitor's program. (b) An exchange visitor who engages in unauthorized employment shall be deemed to be in violation of his or her program status and is subject to termination as a participant in an exchange visitor program. (c) The acceptance of employment by an accompanying spouse or minor child of an exchange visitor is governed by Immigration and Naturalization Service regulations. Exchange visitors in the "professor" or "researcher" categories who wish to work for any employer other than the school named on the Form DS-2019 must first obtain written approval from their Responsible Officer. The employment must be evaluated by the RO or ARO in terms of the program objectives and individual circumstances, to determine whether it is appropriate. The proposed employment must be: 1. Directly related to the program objectives, and 2. Incidental to the exchange visitor's primary program activities, and 3. Not delay the completion date of the exchange visitor's program. The exchange visitor must submit certain documentation in support of this request (please contact the International and Postdoctoral Services Office). If the employment is an occasional lecture or short-term consultation without a regular salary, a letter of permission from the RO will be issued. If the individual will be teaching a course at another school, for example, and receiving an ongoing salary, a new Form DS-2019 that reflects this situation must be issued and the US Department of State notified. Casual part-time work unrelated to the exchange visitor's program is not allowed. Students Contact the International & Postdoctoral Services Office for information on obtaining the required permission. *** Make copies of all immigration services documents. Maintain in a safe place.***

5 Health Insurance Certification Exchange visitor s name from DS-2019 (print please) Date of birth Enroll in health insurance that meets or exceeds J Exchange program regulations. (22 CFR 62.14) Complete and return by medical benefits (min. $50,000 per person per accident or illness) repatriation of remains (min. $7,500) medical evacuation (min. $10,000) dependent coverage I acknowledge that the health insurance requirement established by the United States Department of State (DOS) has been communicated to me both verbally and in written form by Georgia Regents University. I understand as a participant in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program at Georgia Regents University (GRU) that I must fully comply with DOS regulation as amended (22 CFR 62.14). Furthermore, I understand that my failure to comply with the health insurance regulation may result in the termination of my J-1 Exchange Visitor Program activities at GRU. This termination will be reported, as required, to DOS. I certify that I am in compliance with the DOS health insurance regulation. Exchange Visitor Signature Date I certify that I am in compliance with the DOS health insurance regulation. Exchange Visitor Signature Date I certify that I am in compliance with the DOS health insurance regulation. Exchange Visitor Signature Date I certify that I am in compliance with the DOS health insurance regulation. Exchange Visitor Signature Date

6 HANDOUT ON INSURANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR EXCHANGE VISITORS ***Employee health Insurance policies offered by GRU do not include Repatriation of Remains and Medical Evacuation Coverage. You must purchase a separate policy to meet this requirement. *** The GRU High Deductable Health Plan does not meet J Health Insurance Requirements. The Exchange Visitor Health Insurance Requirement This handout is designed for J-1 Exchange Visitors and their dependents. It explains the need for health insurance in the United States and outlines the minimum provisions of the coverage required, as of September 1, 1994, (22 CFR Part 62) for every person in J-1 or J-2 status. It also defines some of the terms generally used in discussions of health insurance. The requirement As an Exchange Visitor in the United States, you must carry health insurance for yourself and your J- 2 dependents for the full duration of your J program. Government regulations stipulate that if you willfully fail to carry health insurance for yourself and your dependents, your J-1 sponsor must terminate your program and report the termination to the United States of America Department of State (DOS) in Washington, DC. The regulation: Title 22, Section Insurance. (a) Sponsors shall require each exchange visitor to have insurance in effect which covers the exchange visitor for sickness or accident during the period of time that an exchange visitor participates in the sponsor's exchange visitor program. Minimum coverage shall provide: (1) Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness; (2) Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500; (3) Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000; and (4) A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness. (b) An insurance policy secured to fulfill the requirements of this section: (1) May require a waiting period for pre-existing conditions which is reasonable as determined by current industry standards; (2) May include provision for co-insurance under the terms of which the exchange visitor may be required to pay up to 25% of the covered benefits per accident or illness; and (3) Shall not unreasonably exclude coverage for perils inherent to the activities of the exchange program in which the exchange visitor participates.

7 (c) Any policy, plan, or contract secured to fill the above requirements must, at a minimum, be: (1) Underwritten by an insurance corporation having an A.M. Best rating of A or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of A-i or above, a Standard & Poor's Claimspaying Ability rating of A or above, a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above, or such other rating as the Department of State may from time to time specify; or (2) Backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor's home country; or (3) Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor; or (4) Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or eligible Competitive Medical Plan (CMP) as determined by the Health Care Financing Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (d) Federal, state or local government agencies, state colleges and universities, and public community colleges may, if permitted by law, self-insure any or all of the above-required insurance coverage. (e) At the request of a non-governmental sponsor of an exchange visitor program, and upon a showing that such sponsor has funds readily available and under its control sufficient to meet the requirements of this section, the Department of State may permit the sponsor to self-insure or to accept full financial responsibility for such requirements. (f) The Department of State, in its sole discretion, may condition its approval of self-insurance or the acceptance of full financial responsibility by the non-governmental sponsor by requiring such sponsor to secure a payment bond in favor of the Department of State guaranteeing the sponsor's obligations hereunder. (g) An accompanying spouse or dependent of an exchange visitor is required to be covered by insurance in the amounts set forth in paragraph (a) of this section. Sponsors shall inform exchange visitors of this requirement, in writing, in advance of the exchange visitor's arrival in the United States. (h) An exchange visitor who willfully fails to maintain the insurance coverage set forth above while a participant in an exchange visitor program or who makes a material misrepresentation to the sponsor concerning such coverage shall be deemed to be in violation of these regulations and shall be subject to termination as a participant. (i) A sponsor shall terminate an exchange visitor's participation in its program if the sponsor determines that the exchange visitor or any accompanying spouse or dependent willfully fails to remain in compliance with this section. [58 FR 15196, Mar. 19, 1993, as amended at 59 FR 34761, July 7, Redesignated at 64 FR 54539, Oct. 7, 1999] The reason for the requirement---and the need for health insurance It is dangerous to be in the United States without adequate health insurance. In many countries, the government bears the expense of health care for its citizens and sometimes visitors. By contrast, individuals and families in the United States are responsible for such costs. Since a single day of

8 hospitalization and medical treatment can cost thousands of dollars, many hospitals and doctors refuse to treat uninsured patients, except in life threatening emergencies. Most Americans rely on insurance, and you should do the same. Insurance gives you access to better and more timely health care and provides the only protection against the enormous costs of health care in this country. How medical insurance works When you purchase health insurance, the money you pay (your "premium") is combined with the premiums of others to form a pool of money. That money is then used to pay the medical bills of participants who need health care. Your coverage remains valid only as long as you continue to pay your premiums. Once you purchase insurance, the company will give you an insurance identification card for you to use when you seek care from a hospital or doctor. The company will provide written instructions for reporting and documenting medical expenses ("filing a claim"). The insurance company will evaluate any claim you file and make the appropriate payment under your policy. In some cases the company pays the hospital or doctor directly; in others the company will reimburse you after you paid the bills. Choosing an insurance policy Your J-1 sponsor may include coverage as part of sponsorship, without further charge to you. Alternatively, your J-1 sponsor may have selected and approved a specific policy for all its Exchange Visitors and may require you to buy that insurance as soon as you arrive in the United States. In many cases, however, you will be required to select and purchase your own insurance coverage. In choosing an insurance policy, you should consider many factors, not simply the minimum stipulated by the DOS. The reliability of the company. Does it treat people fairly? Does it pay claims promptly? Does it have staff to answer your questions and resolve problems? Deductible amounts. Most insurance policies require you to cover part of your health expenses yourself (your part is called the "deductible"), before the company pays anything. Under some policies the deductible is annual, and you pay only once each year if you use the insurance. Under others, you pay the deductible each time you have an illness or injury. The J regulations limit the deductible to $500 per accident or illness, but many policies offer a lower, more advantageous figure. In choosing insurance, you should think carefully about how much you can afford to pay out of your own pocket each time you are sick or injured, and weigh the deductible against the premium before you decide. Co-insurance or co-payment. Usually, even after you have paid your deductible, an insurance policy pays only a percentage of your medical expenses. The policy might pay 80 percent, for example; the remaining 20 percent, for which you are responsible, is called the coinsurance or copayment. Thus, if you were injured and incurred $3,000 in medical expenses, a policy with a $400 deductible and 20 percent co-payment would cover $2,080 (80 percent of $2,600). The J regulations require the insurance to pay at least 7 percent of covered medical expenses. That is, the co-payment can be no more than 25 percent. Specific limits. Some policies state specific dollar limits on what they will pay for particular services. Other policies pay "usual" or "reasonable and customary" charges, which means they pay what is usually charged in the local area. Be very careful in evaluating policies with specific dollar limits, for serious illnesses, the limit might be far too low and you might have large medical bills not covered by your insurance. Lifetime/per-occurrence maximums. Many insurance policies limit the amount they will pay for any single individual's medical bills or for any specific illness or injury. Exchange Visitors must have insurance with a maximum of no lower than $50,000 for each specific illness or injury, which

9 may be enough for most conditions. Major illnesses, however, can cost several times that amount. Benefit period. Some insurance policies limit the amount of time they will pay for each illness or injury. In that case, after the benefit period for a condition has expired, you must pay the full cost of continuing treatment of the illness, even if you are still insured by the company. A policy with a long benefit period provides the best coverage. Exclusions. Most insurance policies exclude coverage for certain conditions. The J regulations require that if a particular activity is a part of your exchange visitor program, your insurance must cover injuries resulting from your participation in that activity. Read the list of exclusions carefully so that you can understand exactly what is not covered by the policy.

10 Required insurance specifications In addition to the deductible, co-insurance, and exclusions described in the preceding section, DOS has established the following requirements for the type and amounts of coverage you must maintain if you hold J-1 or J-2 status: The policy must provide "medical benefits of at least $50,000 for each accident or illness," according to the regulations. Since insurance companies cover no more than the policyholder's expenses (minus a deductible and, under co-insurance, a percentage), and never provide a minimum amount for each accident or illness, the regulatory text should have been worded differently. Presumably it was intended to mean that an acceptable policy cannot set a maximum lower than $50,000 in benefits for each accident or illness. If you should die in the United States, the policy must provide at least $7,500 in benefits to send your remains to your home country for burial. If, because of a serious illness or injury, you must be sent home on the advice of a doctor the policy must pay up to $10,000 for the expenses of your travel. If you elect to satisfy the insurance requirement through a policy issued in your home country, the policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of your government. Otherwise, the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by DOS (an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or better, an insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-1" or better, a Standard & Poor's Claims-Paying ability rating of "A-" or better, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of "B+" or better). Where to find insurance information If you need information about purchasing insurance, ask your J-1 sponsor about policies available to exchange visitors in the United States. Read the policy information carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions before you buy. Insurance agents An agent is an individual who represents one or several companies and sells insurance to individuals and groups. When working with an agent you should feel free to ask questions and take the time to learn about and understand your choices before you make a decision. If you are uncertain or confused, don't sign anything. Consult a knowledgeable friend, or your J-1 sponsor, for help.

11 Information Sheet Travel Outside of the US and Return Research Scholars, Students and Dependents (028 October 2013) If you are planning to travel outside of the United States (for less than five months*) and return to the US then you must, at a minimum, have the following documents with you when you return to the US: A valid, unexpired passport as required by your program. The passport should be valid for at least six months after your return to the US; A valid, unexpired visa on the day you re-enter the US; A valid Form I-94 that shows that you have not overstayed your visa. NOTE: J and F visitors should have a D/S, or duration of status All current and expired Forms I-20, DS-2019 or IAP-66; Proof of your current financial support; and A valid Certificate of Eligibility (Form DS-2019 or Form I-20) endorsed for travel. You should: -Advise the appropriate person for your program or department of: your intention to travel outside of the US; your dates of travel; your travel itinerary; your contact information while you are away; and your family members who will accompany you. -Request a letter from the GRU program, department, or college signed by the program chair or department head (for graduate studies: the dean or the dean s representative.) The letter should: be addressed to to whom it may concern: state that your GRU mentor, program director, department chair or college administrator has been advised of your travel plans; include your expected departure and return dates; and state whether you are a student and/or employee in good standing and expected to return to continue your program. -Students only - request a copy of your academic transcript from the registrar s office to be issued to student. Have the document available for review if requested upon your return at the port-of-entry. -Provide a copy of the letter from your college/department to the International & Postdoctoral Services Office (IPSO). -Request a travel endorsement (possibly on a new Certificate of Eligibility) from IPSO. You will be required to present your current Certificate of Eligibility, your current passport, your current visa stamp and your current Form I-94 to IPSO for review prior to receiving a travel endorsement. -If dependents family members will travel with or without the principal alien (PA) (J-1 or F-1), request a travel endorsement on each of their Certificates of Eligibility. Each family member must present their current Certificate of Eligibility, their current passport, their current visa stamp and their current Form I-94 to IPSO for review prior to receiving a travel endorsement. - If you plan to travel to a country other than your home country or country of legal residence, contact the consulate or embassy for the country you plan to visit to determine the entry and exit documents

12 required. Travel may include flight connections, layovers and stopovers due to airline scheduling. (You may visit the Delta Airlines Web Site for preliminary information at _information/index.jsp - When appropriate, IPSO will generate new Certificate(s) of Eligibility for the PA visa holder and dependents with travel endorsements. NOTE: The principal alien, (J-1 or F-1) must sign any new Form DS-2019 or Form I-20 issued on their behalf or on behalf of their dependent(s). *Absence from the US for more than five months may automatically end your current F or J program under immigration services regulations. Contact IPSO as soon as possible if this is your intent or circumstance. **All travelers. If your visa has expired, you have used all of your allowable entries, you were approved for a change of status in the US or for any reason you do not have a valid visa stamp in your passport for your current status and you travel outside of the United States, you must renew or apply for and secure a new visa outside of the US before attempting to re-enter the US. You should contact the US embassy or consulate in the country that you will visit for information on visa renewal or application procedures. If you will not visit your home country, you should seek information on third party country visas for the country that you will visit. See the US Department of State web site at for US embassy and consulate information. *****All travelers upon return must report to the International & Postdoctoral Services Office with passport, visa and current Form DS-2019 or Form I-20. Individuals in J-1 and F-1 status are required to resume their research and/or pursue a full course of study as required by their respective program immediately after re-entering the US.

13 Travel Check List TRAVELING TO Travel Check List Please complete highlighted areas and bring this page to your appointment.* Complete one list per traveler. Type or print Name GRU department Visa type Department phone Travel appointment with International and Postdoctoral Services Office Date Time *Bring the following documents to the appointment: Passport Visa Stamp in passport Copy of Electronic Form I-94 To whom it may concern letter from GRU college, department or program with dates of travel and if appropriate GRU funding noted Financial support documents if other than GHSU funding All Forms I-20 (F visa) or DS-2019 (J visa) issued to traveler Departure date Passport expiration date Return date Visa expiration date Number of entries remaining *You must apply for new visa if expired or no entries remaining Form I-94 Admit Until Date Letter from GRU college, department or program Financial support documents if other than GRU funding Transcript from registrar (students only) Form I-20 (F visa) or Form DS-2019 (J visa) endorsed for travel E mail notices: 1 st 2 nd 3 rd SEVIS identification number Upon your return, phone or e mail for an appointment and report to the International & Postdoctoral Services Office for document review and duplication

14 Press Office U.S. Department of Homeland Security January 4, 2005 News Release DHS OFFERS TRAVEL TIPS FOR ARRIVING FOREIGN STUDENTS AND EXCHANGE VISITORS 200,000 Foreign Students And Exchange Visitors Expected For Spring Semester WASHINGTON, D.C. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) today issued important reminders to assist the estimated 200,000 foreign students and exchange visitors expected to arrive in the United States for the spring semester. These reminders for foreign students and exchange visitors registered in the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) are intended to ensure that legitimate students are quickly processed at ports of entry. A comprehensive list of answers to frequently asked SEVIS questions has also been posted online at and The SEVIS system was implemented after the 9/11 terrorist attacks as part of the federal government s effort to restore integrity to the nation s immigration system. SEVIS is a web-based program that maintains information on international students (F/M visas) and exchange visitors (J visas) and their dependents residing in the United States. It is administered by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement s (ICE) Student Exchange and Visitor Program (SEVP) and used by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Officers at ports of entry. SEVIS has simplified what was once a manual process, resulting in more accurate and timely data, faster processing and fewer delays. "The SEVIS program is a successful homeland security initiative due in large part to the cooperation we have received from all of the program's stakeholders," said Michael J. Garcia, DHS Assistant Secretary for ICE. "As the new 2005 semester starts, we encourage all SEVIS participants -- including students, exchange visitors, and school and program administrators -- to review the program requirements and take responsibility for making sure their records are updated and correct. By making these efforts now, our academic and exchange program partners can help to ensure that legitimate students don't experience unnecessary delays when they enter the country." We are a welcoming nation, and our doors of opportunity and education are open. We must ensure that those presenting themselves for entry are legitimate. SEVIS is the program that helps U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers to quickly verify that students presenting themselves at our borders are actual students and exchange visitors, said U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Robert C. Bonner.

15 ICE and CBP offer the following recommendations for students and exchange visitors: Travel Tips for Students and Exchange Visitors 1. Hand carry (do not check) the following documents: a. Your passport; b. Your SEVIS form I-20 or DS-2019; c. Evidence of financial resources; d. Evidence of student or exchange visitor status, such as tuition receipts, transcripts or letter of acceptance; e. Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee; and f. The name and contact information of your designated school official or sponsor Important Note: If you are a new student, remember to carry with you the sealed envelope given to you by the U.S. Department of State s Consular Officer -- attached to your passport. It is important that you do not open this envelope. 2. Inform the CBP Officer at the port of entry as soon as possible that you will be a new or returning student or exchange visitor in the United States. 3. Report to your school or program upon arrival so that your school official can validate your participation in SEVIS. 4. Maintain contact with your designated school or sponsor official throughout your stay to ensure your SEVIS data is updated and accurate. Important Note: If you are a new exchange visitor participant, remember to carry with you the sealed envelope given to you by the U.S. Department of State s Consular Officer --attached to your passport. It is important that you do not open this envelope. The Department of Homeland Security also reminds SEVIS registered schools and exchange visitor programs of their responsibility to maintain up-to-date records on all of their foreign students and exchange visitors. As of December 2004, about 725,000 students and exchange visitors (F-1, M-1 and J-1 visa categories), along with 120,000 dependents, were registered in SEVIS. More than 7,800 schools and 1,400 exchange programs are active in SEVIS. From September 2003, when all foreign students, exchange visitors and their academic or cultural programs were required to register with SEVIS, through September 2004, SEVIS recorded a slight increase in the foreign student (F/M visa) population from approximately 605,000 to 640,000. To date, ICE s Compliance Enforcement Unit, responsible for identifying individuals who attempt to abuse the student immigration system, has sent 3, 342 investigative leads on potential SEVIS violations to the field, resulting in 558 arrests. - DHS - 2

16 Returning from Travel Outside of the US Notification Please advise the International & Postdoctoral Services Office of your Travel Return via e mail to diversity@gru.edu. Insert Travel Return Notice in the subject line. Include names of all family members who traveled, date and port-of-entry in message Document update Upon return from travel outside of the US, you have two options for presenting documents for duplication. 1. You may make an appointment with the International & Postdoctoral Services Office to present documents for duplication; or 2. You may provide copies of the following to Office of the International & Postdoctoral Services Office. Please include a phone number and your e mail address if your drop the documents by and Mrs. Tarver is not available to review them before you leave. Documents to be duplicated for your file in the International & Postdoctoral Services Office 1. Passport, if renewed, including all information pages pages with dates of validity page with photo all extension pages 2. Visa stamp and page opposite visa stamp 3. Entry ink stamp in Passport should have ink stamp with "class" and "until" filled in by hand 4. Copy of Electronic Form I-94 printed from 5. Form DS-2019 (J) or Form I-20 (F) endorsed for travel for this trip You may deliver copies of these to Student Center, second floor room 2005 or contact me for an appointment. Please use, diversity@gru.edu or phone for any response.

17 Twelve and Twenty-Four (12- and 24-) Month Bars on Repeat Participation for J-1 Exchange Visitor Categories Research Scholar and Professor General principles: These restrictions only apply to those who previously participated in a J-1 exchange program or have accompanied a J-1 visitor as a dependent J-2 family member; not to any other previous type of visa status (e.g. F-1). J-2 dependents are subject to the 12 months and 24 months bars in the same way as the J-1 principal aliens are. These restrictions only apply to your future choices in two J-1 categories: Research Scholar and Professor. Other J-1 categories such as Short Term Scholar or Student are not affected. Two major considerations are how long your previous program lasted and when it was completed whether it was before or after November 18, 2006). Check your DS-2019 in Box number 3 for your dates of participation. The restrictions apply at any university or institution in the United States, not just GRU. The Two Year Home Residence Requirement (INA 212 (e)) is not related to either the 12- or 24- month bars. One may be subject to one and not the other. Use the following chart to evaluate your eligibility for a future J-1 Research Scholar or Professor Exchange Visitor program. Previous J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Status Length of Stay in the U. S. in Previous J-1 Visa Status* Can begin or return as Professor or Research Scholar (J-1) Any EV (J-1) category other than Professor or Research Scholar 6 months or less Immediately Any EV (J-1) category other than Professor or Research Scholar More than 6 months After 12 months from the EV s Program End Date or Effective Date on Completion** Research Scholar or Professor (J-1) 6 months or less After 24 months form the EV s Program End Date or Effective Date of Completion** Research Scholar or Professor (J-1) Any time (i.e., 1 month, 1 year, etc.) After 24 months form the EV s Program End Date or Effective Date of Completion** Dependent (J-2) of any EV category other than Research Scholar or Professor (J-1) 6 months or less Immediately Dependent of any EV (J-1) category other than Professor or Research Scholar (J-1) Dependent (J-2) of Research Scholar or Professor (J-1) More than 6 months Any time (i.e., 1 month, 1 year, etc.) After 12 months from the EV s Program End Date or Effective Date on Completion** After 24 months form the EV s Program End Date or Effective Date of Completion** *The duration of the bars are determined by the actual length of stay of the principal J-1 exchange visitor s (EV) most recent participation in an exchange visitor program. ** The Department or State has determined that completion of program means: when EVs are no longer actively participating in their exchange program. The status of the SEVIS records for EVs who meet this definition should be listed as either Inactive or Terminated as appropriate. Countdown of the bars begins the day after the status of the EV s SEVIS record becomes Inactive or Terminated.

18 Note 1: The two-year bar on repeat participation (22 CFR (n)) applies to J-1 Research Scholars and Professor participants who have completed his or her program. Note 2: Repeat Participation. Exchange participants who have entered the United States under the Exchange Visitor Program as a professor or research scholar, or who have acquired such status while in the United States, and who have completed his or her program are not eligible for participation as a professor or research scholar for a period of two years following the end date of such program participation as identified in SEVIS. Refer to 222 CFR 62.20(n) of the May 19, 2005 publication in the Federal Register. Note 3: November 18, 2006 is the effective date of the 5 year program duration for the Professor and Research Scholar categories (as published in the Federal Register on May 19, 2005 (22 CFR 62.20; DOCID: FR19MY05-13). The effective date was determined by the implementation of the regulations in SEVIS (Release 5.4). Refer to the Final Rule published in the Federal Register by the Department of State dated January 11, Note 4: J-2 status is derivative of the status of the J-1 principal. Note 5. A transfer from one sponsoring institution to another within SEVIS is not considered completion of a program. The source for the chart above is the chart accompanying the May 24, 2007 letter from Stanley Colvin, Director of the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, Department of State, to NAFSA Associate Executive Director Victor Johnson. The source for the information above is Office of International Students & Scholars, Washington State University. Accessed on 19 February 2008 at Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement (Section 212 (e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and PL as amended) Exchange visitors whose programs are financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly by either their government or by the U.S. Government are required to reside in their home-country for two years following completion of their program before they are eligible for immigrant status temporary worker (H) status or intra-company transferee (L) status. Likewise exchange visitors who are acquiring a skill which is in short supply in their home country will be subject to the same two-year home-country residence requirement. These skills appear on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. The current skills list is published in the Federal Register/Vol. 74, No. 82/Thursday, April 30, 2009/Notices. Department of State. [Public Notice: 6546] Revised. See the U.S. Department of State web page at for a searchable version.. The U.S. Department of State reserves the right to make the final determination regarding 212(e). Note that marriage to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident or birth of a child in the United States does not remove this requirement. The requirement also applies to the J-2 dependent(s) of exchange visitors who are subject. Some but not all exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home residence rule. The purpose of this requirement is to have the home country benefit from the exchange visitor's experience in the U.S. Exchange visitors come to the U.S. for a specific objective such as program of study or a research project. The requirement is intended to prevent a participant from staying longer than necessary for the objective and to ensure that he or she will spend at least two years in the home country before coming back to the U.S. for a long term stay.