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An advisor in conversation with a student.

J-1 Student Visa Advising

Maintain Your Legal Status

Important Documents

Your DS-2019, passport, and entry visa are important legal documents.

Full Course of Study

Immigration regulations require you to complete a full course of study every term unless you meet certain conditions.

Reduced Course Load

You may request a reduced course load if you meet certain immigration regulations.

Change of Address

You are required to report your U.S. residential address to your J-1 sponsor within 10 days of moving.

Unlawful Presence

You must comply with visa regulations. Not doing so could result in the loss of legal status.

Two-Year Rule

Some visa holders are required to return home for at least two years after their exchange visitor program.

School and Visa Transfer

You will need to transfer your visa if you decide to transfer schools.

Departure from U.S.

The University is required to notify SEVIS when a student is no longer enrolled.

Healthcare and Insurance

All international students and their dependents must purchase the Student Health Benefit Plan.

Employment

Work On Campus

Students on J-1 visas must have work authorization before starting work.

Work Off Campus

You must have Academic Training authorization to work off campus.

Travel

Travel Within the U.S.

You can travel as you wish within the United States , but you should bring certain documentation ith you.

Travel Outside the U.S.

It is essential that you ensure you have valid documentation before traveling outside the U.S.

Travel by J-2 Dependents

J-2 dependents may travel with or without the J-1 primary visa holder.

Dependents

J-2 Dependents

Your spouse and children younger than 21 are eligible to accompany you to the U.S.

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ISSS is a unit of the Global Programs and Strategy Alliance, the central international office for the University of Minnesota system.

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  • Students
    • New Students
      • Welcome
      • Complete Your ISSS New Student Requirements
      • Confirm Your Enrollment
      • Request Your I-20 or DS-2019
        • Financial Documentation Policies
      • Get a Visa
        • Get a New Visa
        • Transfer Your Visa
        • Dependent Visas
        • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Prepare for Arrival
        • Choose Your Arrival Date
        • Plan Your Expenses
        • Find Housing
        • Arrive in Minnesota
        • Transportation to Campus
        • Graduate Assistantship
      • Complete UMN Requirements
        • Claim Your UMN Email
        • Remove Registration Holds
        • Enroll in Duo
        • Submit Your Final Transcript
        • Submit Your Immunization Form
        • Pay Your Tuition
      • Living in Minnesota
        • Banking
        • Identification Documents
        • Climate and Clothing
        • Health and Insurance
        • Safety
        • Transportation
      • Campus Resources
        • LGBTQIA+
        • Disability Resource Center
        • English Language Support
        • Health and Fitness
      • Get Involved
      • Global Gopher Experiences
    • F-1 Advising
      • Maintain Your Legal Status
        • Important Documents
        • Full Course of Study
          • Reduced Course Load
        • Change of Address
        • Unlawful Presence
        • Special Student Relief
        • Program Extension
        • School and Visa Transfer
        • Change of Visa Status
        • Return to UMN After Leave
        • Departure from U.S.
          • Temporary Departure from the U.S.
        • Losing and Regaining F-1 Status
      • Employment
        • Work On Campus
        • Work Off Campus
          • Curricular Practical Training
            • Basics of CPT
            • Applying for CPT
            • Special CPT Situations
          • Optional Practical Training
            • Basics of OPT
            • Applying for OPT
            • Requirements During OPT
            • Travel, Study, and More
          • STEM OPT Extension
            • Eligibility
            • Application Process
            • Reporting Requirements
            • Using the SEVP Portal
          • Off Campus Employment Based on Unforeseen Financial Change
      • Travel
        • Travel Within the U.S.
        • Travel Outside the U.S.
        • Dependents
        • Visa Renewal
      • Dependents
      • Other Resources
      • Premium Processing for F-1 Students
    • J-1 Advising
      • Maintain Your Legal Status
        • Important Documents
          • Passport and Entry Visa
        • Full Course of Study
          • Reduced Course Load for J-1 Students
        • Change of Address
        • Accruing Unlawful Presence
        • Violation of Status
        • 12 Month Bar
        • Two-Year Rule
        • Departure from U.S.
        • Healthcare and Insurance
      • Employment
        • Work On Campus
        • Academic Training
      • Travel
        • Travel Within the U.S.
        • Travel Outside the U.S.
        • Dependents
        • Visa Renewal
      • Dependents
      • Other Resources
    • Get Involved
      • Undergraduate Students
      • Graduate Students
    • Support Services
      • Academic Counseling
      • Career Support
      • Funding
        • Academic Financial Support
        • Emergency Funds
        • International Student Work Opportunity Program
        • Colonial Dames of America Scholarship
        • Global Excellence Scholarships
      • LGBTQIA+
        • ISSS Services
        • Coming Out, Safety, and Health
        • Resources
      • Personal Counseling
      • Taxes
  • Scholars
    • J-1 Scholars
      • New Scholars
        • Before You Arrive
          • Get Your Visa
            • Change of Visa Status
          • Health Insurance
          • When to Arrive
          • Housing
          • Prepare for Arrival
        • After You Arrive
          • Change of Address
          • ISSS Check-In
          • Orientation
      • Maintain Your Legal Status
        • Important Documents
        • Program Extension
        • Two-Year Rule
        • 24/12 Month Bar
        • Health Insurance
        • Violation of Status
        • Transfer Procedures
        • Departure from the U.S.
      • Travel
        • Travel Outside the U.S.
        • Travel Within the U.S.
        • Travel by J-2 Dependents
        • Visa Renewal
      • Work Options
      • Dependents
      • Prospective Scholars
    • J-1 Student Interns
      • New Student-Interns
        • Before You Arrive
          • Get a Visa
          • When to Arrive
          • Housing
          • Health Insurance
          • Prepare for Arrival
        • After You Arrive
          • Change of Address
          • ISSS Check-In
          • Orientation
      • Maintain Your Legal Status
        • Important Documents
        • Two-Year Rule
        • 12 Month Bar
        • Violation of Status
        • Extension of Status
        • Transfer
        • Departure from the U.S.
      • Travel
        • Outside the U.S.
        • Within the U.S.
        • Dependents
        • Visa Renewal
      • Work Options
      • Dependents
      • Prospective Student-Interns
    • H-1B
      • H-1B Basics
        • Eligibility
        • Employer Responsibilities
          • H-1B/E-3 Required Wage
        • Immigration Documents
      • Obtain or Extend Status
        • Application Process
        • Application Fees
        • Processing Time
        • Case Types
        • Contract Language
        • Working with Outside Counsel
        • Medical Residents
      • Maintain Your Legal Status
        • Orientation for New International Employees
        • Change of Address
        • Changes in Employment
        • Part-Time Employment, Consultation, and Taking Classes
        • USCIS Site Visits
        • Departure, Termination, or Change of Status
      • Travel
        • International Travel
        • Applying for a Visa
      • Dependents
      • Notices of Intent to Hire
    • Permanent Residence
      • PR Basics
      • PR Fees
      • PR for Tenure-Track Faculty
      • Paths to PR in Higher Education
      • Changing from Nonimmigrant Status
      • Working with Outside Counsel
    • Resources
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      • Climate and Clothing
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      • Banking
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    • Contact Our Staff
  • Departments
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    • Hosting Exchange Visitors
      • About J-1 Exchange Visitors
      • Scholars
        • Inviting a J-1 Scholar
        • FAQs
        • SEVIS Guidelines
        • Change of Status
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        • Transfer
      • Student-Interns
        • Inviting a J-1 Student-Intern
          • Guidelines For Writing The Invitation/ Offer Letter For J-1 Student-Interns
      • Faculty Mentor Responsibilities
      • J-1 Exchange Visitor Fees
      • English Proficiency Requirement
      • Fulbright Scholars
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