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The University of North Texas is pleased to invite you to participate in the J Exchange Visitor Program at the University of North Texas. You will join a select group of scholars who have been invited to the University of North Texas to perform research or teach.
Purpose of the J Exchange Visitor Program
The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is to promote international educational and cultural exchange in order to develop mutual understanding between people of the United States and other countries. Exchange programs exist in a wide variety of formats. The University of North Texas program allows scholars to come to conduct research and teach.
How to use your DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
If you are arriving from outside the US:
Read all the information on page 2 of the DS-2019, and sign at the bottom of page 1.
Present the DS-2019 along with your letter of offer and financial documents to the US Consulate to request a J-1 visa. If your spouse and/or children are accompanying you, they will apply for J-2 visas. Your spouse will need proof of marriage, and the children will need birth certificates.
If you are entering the U.S. after the begin date listed in #3 of the DS 2019, you must notify your department, and Dotty Horton. Ms. Horton will adjust the SEVIS record to give the new entry date at the port of entry when you enter the US. Please contact Dotty Horton at dotty@isp.admin.unt.edu.
Upon arrival at the Port of Entry in the US, you will again present the DS-2019, along with your visa. The admitting officer will stamp your DS-2019, and return it to you with your I-94 card.
If you are already inside the US as a J-1 Scholar:
If you will be staying inside the US during your transfer, please stay in contact with the international offices at both your present school and the University of North Texas. The responsible officers at the two schools will be arranging the technicalities of your transfer to the J program at the University of North Texas.
If you will be traveling outside the US, you will follow the instructions above. If you plan to travel to Mexico, Canada, or the Caribbean Islands, and they are not your home, please discuss with your international advisor before attempting this.
If you are already inside the US with another visa status:
It may be possible for you to apply to Immigration for a change of status. Please consult your immigration advisor.
If you apply to change status in the US, be aware that the procedure may take as long as 5 months. Until Immigration has granted the change of status, you will not have J benefits, and will not have work permission.
Note that if you are in the US with a 90 day visa waiver, you must leave the US, obtain your J-1 visa and reenter.
Special Requirements of the J Exchange Visitor Program
Insurance is required by the government of all participants and their families the entire time they are in J status. The insurance must meet the minimum requirements. Failure to comply will result in cancellation of the J status.
The minimum requirements for the insurance are:
$50,000 per accident or illness.
$7,500 for repatriation of remains.
$10,000 for medical evacuation to the home country.
A "deductible" not to exceed $500.
Please see your international advisor for further details.
If the University of North Texas is providing your health insurance, it will not begin for at least 3 months. You must be covered by another policy during this time. You must also enroll in an insurance program that will cover the medical evacuation and repatriation. Your international advisor will have instructions for application. The present cost is $20 per year for the participant. The cost is higher when including family members.
If you will be providing your own insurance, your international advisor can help you with application. There will be an additional cost. The present cost is approximately $50 to $150 per month, depending upon age, for the participant. Costs will be higher when including family members.
If you have your own coverage, you must bring proof that your insurance will meet all minimums.
The 5 year time limit:
The total stay in the US for exchange visitors in the professor or research scholar category is 5 years.
24 month bar for repeat Research or Professor category:
At the end of the Research Scholar or Professor J program, there is a 24 month bar from returning as a J Research Scholar or Professor.
The two year home country physical presence requirement (212e):
Some, but not all, J-1 visitors and their dependents will be subject to the two year home country physical presence requirement. This requires the visitor to return home for two years before entering the US on an H or L visa, or as a permanent resident. The visitor may be allowed to enter the US on any other type of visa before completing the two years. The decision to give the two year requirement is based upon agreements between the US and the other country. It is based upon the source of funding, or a list of skills which the home country feels is in short supply. The purpose of the requirement, is, of course, to share the knowledge and experience gained in the United States with the home country.
For terms of the requirement, please see item 1(a) on page 2 of the DS-2019.
If you are subject to the two year home requirement, it will also mean that you are unable to change to another visa status inside the United States.
12 month bar in professor or research scholar categories:
J-1 scholars who have been in any J category for more than 6 months in the previous 12 month period, are barred from returning to the U.S. as a J-1 professor or research scholar until 12 months have passed from the date of departure from the U.S. The bar is independent of the two year home requirement.
6 month limit:
If your DS-2019 category is Short Term, you will not be able to remain past a total of 6 months. However, should you wish to enter the U.S. again as a J, you will not be subject to the 12 month bar listed above.
DS-2019 agreement:
When accepting the offer and becoming a J-1 scholar, you are agreeing to follow the specific program listed on the DS-2019. You will not be able to change the field of research, nor the category (for example, Research Scholar).
After arriving at the University of North Texas
You will check in with your major department. They can help you processing paperwork necessary for employment, and give you details about your research or teaching in the department.
You MUST also check in with International Advising in 171 Kendall Hall. Please bring your passport, DS-2019, I-94 card, and proof of insurance. If you will be responsible for obtaining insurance, please be prepared to complete the application for insurance, and to arrange payment to the insurance company. It is wise to call the office to arrange a time, prior to visiting us. Our phone is 940-565-2195. If you do not check in, and allow time for International Advising to validate your SEVIS electronic record inside of 30 from entry to the US, immigration will cancel your J-1 program. This is important!
If you have questions at any time, you can email the director, Dotty Horton, at dotty@isp.admin.unt.edu, or fax to 940-565-4822.
We look forward to welcoming you. Have a safe trip.
