J-1 Reference Guide: First Things First

This J Exchange Visitor Reference Guide is provided to assist visiting international scholars who currently are at the UW, or who have a UW academic appointment and will be arriving to begin research at the UW in the near future. If you are a prospective scholar and would like to learn more about research opportunities at the University of Washington, click here.

The J visa provides opportunities for several hundred international scholars every year to participate in the teaching and research mission of the University of Washington. These "Exchange Visitors" bring not just their skills and knowledge to our campus but their cultures and traditions as well, applying a global dimension to all aspects of University endeavor. And as they return home, taking their "Husky" experience with them, the ties between the United States and other nations are strengthened.

The DS-2019 is your certificate of eligibility for Exchange Visitor status at the University of Washington. Check this document for accuracy, carefully read the instructions on page 2, then sign and date it. The DS-2019 was issued by an adviser ("Responsible Officer") in the Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS), and records your biographical data, identifies your UW academic department, and lists the beginning and ending dates of your exchange program, category of participation, and source and amount of funding. The DS-2019 serves several important purposes (for example, permitting you to apply for a visa) and must remain valid at all times. Keep every DS-2019 for your permanent record - do not discard the old ones.

You have been assigned a J-1 "category of participation," based on the nature and duration of your activity at the UW. This category is indicated in item 4 of your DS-2019 and should not be confused with your UW academic appointment title. Exchange visitor categories available to international scholars at the UW include "Professor," "Research Scholar," "Short-Term Scholar" and "Non-Degree Student." Your activities in the U.S. must remain consistent with your category. You will not be able to change your category after you have entered the United States.

Time spent in the U.S. as a J-1 or J-2 might affect your eligibility for future J-1 status. The 12 and 24 month "bars" apply only to persons beginning an Exchange Visitor program in the categories of "Research Scholar" or "Professor."

Exchange Visitors subject to the 212(e) two-year residence requirement must return to their home countries and be physically present there for an aggregate of two years before being eligible to return to the U.S. in H, L, or immigrant (permanent resident/green card) status.

The duration of your program is stated in item 3 of the Form DS-2019. ISS has the discretion to extend your program participation to the limit allowed by law (up to five years for persons in the Professor and Research Scholar categories; up to six months for persons in the Short-Term Scholar category; up to two years for persons in the Non-Degree Student category). To request an extension, the sponsoring academic department completes the UW 1025-J Visa Request Form and forwards it to ISS for processing. ISS issues a new DS-2019 reflecting the extension.

If you apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement, you may complete your existing program but you cannot receive an extension.

Following completion of the program, you are no longer in J status. However, immigration law allows a 30-day "grace period" beyond the program completion date to settle your affairs and return home. Employment is not permitted during the grace period. If you depart the U.S., you will not be permitted to return in J status during this grace period.