Maintaining J-1 Status for Researchers and Professors

It is important to understanding the laws and regulations affecting your immigration status. Although Florida Tech's International Student & Scholar Services Office Advisers are available to counsel you on the legal complexities, the following basic guidelines will help you avoid unnecessary problems:

Maintain Your Academic Objective

You were granted a DS-2019 based on an academic objective agreed upon between you and your host department. The Department of State requires that this objective be maintained throughout your stay in J-1 status. If you plan to change your objective in any way, please notify Florida Tech's ISSS Office about your plan to be sure it is legally allowed.

Maintain A Valid DS-2019

Each J-1 scholar must always have a valid DS-2019 from his/her program sponsor. Remember that extensions, transfers, and changes in status can take at least two months to process.

Maintain Your Health Insurance

You and any accompanying dependents are required to maintain health insurance for the entire period of your stay in the U.S. Your health insurance coverage must meet specific criteria as outlined by J-1 federal regulations.

See the J-1 health insurance requirements for more information.

Get Work Authorization from ISSS Office

Any Off-Campus Employment/Payment Authorization must be pre-approved by an advisor at Florida Tech's ISSS Office before the date of the proposed work.

Keep Your Local Address Updated

Anytime you move, you are required to notify the ISSS Office within ten days of moving. Be sure to include any J-2 dependents with you. This information is then reported to the Department of State/SEVIS as required by immigration rules & regulations.

Notify Florida Tech's ISSS Office of Early Completion

If you are planning to complete your J-1 program more than 30 days prior to the end date on your DS-2019, notify the ISSS Office as well as your host department. This information must be updated in SEVIS so that you will not be held accountable for the additional time that you are not in the program.