J Visa (Exchange Visitor) Program
An Exchange Visitor is a temporary alien who comes to teach, study,
conduct research or receive training as a participant in an Exchange
Visitor Program designated by the U.S. Department of State, Bureau of
Educational and Cultural Affairs. When accepted as a participant, the
Exchange Visitor will be issued a Certificate of Eligibility (Form DS-2019)
which will be sent to him/her by the Department of Human Resources. This
DS-2019 gives the
international their J status and allows
them to fulfill their objective in coming to the Health Center for the
period noted on the form. To stay beyond this date, application for an
extension is required.
Mandatory Medical Insurance
Mandatory medical insurance federal regulations, effective September 1,
1994, require all exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents to have
medical insurance in effect for the entire period of participation in our
program. Minimum coverage is:
- Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness;
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000; and
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement
An exchange visitor is not eligible to apply for a change of status,
immigrant status or non-immigrant H-1 until he/she has been physically
established in his/her country for an aggregate of two years following
his/her last departure from the U.S. if he/she has:
- Received direct or indirect financial support from the United States Government or his/her country government;
- Come from a country " in need of the skills acquired by its national in the U.S." as determined by the U.S. International Communication Agency and published in the Exchange Visitor Skills List, March 17, 1997; or
- Received medical training.
If an exchange visitor is subject to this requirement under Section 212(e), a preliminary notation may appear on the DS-2019 Form.
Employment
Student employment is permitted only if it is an integral part of the
program for which the exchange visitor came to the U.S. (such as financial
support received as a Visiting Instructor or Research Fellow), or is in
the student's field of study and will not unduly delay his/her degree
(such as a graduate assistantship). Permission for all employment must be
obtained from Office of International Programs.
Extension of Stay
The Exchange Visitor may apply for an extension of stay two months prior
to the expiration date of his/her stay by contacting the Office of
International Programs. Degree students will be permitted to remain as
long as they pursue scholastic programs leading to degrees or
certificates as defined by the program description. Non-degree students
are limited to twenty-four months. The maximum period of stay for
professors, research scholars and specialists is five years. Extensions
for good cause beyond the five year maximum stay need additional
documentation and requests for this special extension must be made to the
Office of International Programs three months in advance of the expiration
date on the DS-2019.
Dependents
If sufficient financial support is documented, the UConn Health Center may
sponsor the spouse and/or children to accompany the Visitor. Dependents are classified as J-2.
The Office of International Programs must certify that sufficient funds
are available to support the spouse and/or children for their first year in
the U.S.
Employment of the dependent is permitted only if INS approves his/her application to work, and if the work is necessary for the support of the dependent only. J-2 dependents may enroll as students for full or part-time study.
Academic Training
After obtaining a degree, an J-1 student may need a period of practical
work experience in the field of study. Upon recommendation of the faculty
advisor and with the approval of the program sponsor, such training may be
granted for a maximum period of 18 to 36 months depending upon the
program. Please consult with the Office of International Programs
concerning eligibility and application procedures.