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901 Sumter Street, Byrnes Suite 702
Columbia, South Carolina 29208
Telephone: (803) 777-0288 Fax: (803) 777-3013
Pre-Arrival and Post-Arrival Information for J-1 Scholars Coming to the University of South Carolina
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Enclosed is your immigration document (Form DS-2019). This form enables you to apply for a J-1 visa at the US Embassy or Consulate closest to your place of residence. To apply for the J entry visa, you must submit:
1. Form DS-2019
2. A valid passport that covers the period shown on the DS-2019 plus six months
3. Two recent passport sized photographs
4. The appropriate US Visa Application forms and fees [DS-156, DS-157, DS-158]
5. The SEVIS I-901 Receipt form (if applicable)
6. Proof of Financial Support such as offer letter from USC, bank letter, etc.
7. Evidence of strong ties to the home country such as an employment letter, property ownership, etc.
For further information on US visa application procedures and forms that apply to you, visit the US Department of State web site http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
Before submitting your visa application, please read page 2 of the DS-2019 and sign the Exchange Visitor Certification at the bottom of page one.
NOTE: If you do not use the enclosed DS-2019 to enter the US, you must return it to this office as forms are now being tracked for security reasons. Failure to return the document will require this office to report the form to the US Department of State as one that may have been lost or stolen.
Ø Family members traveling to the US as J-2 dependents must each submit:
1. Form DS-2019
2. Proof of the relationship to J-1 principal, e.g., marriage certificate for spouse birth certificate(s) for children
3. Proof of financial support to cover all expenses related to your stay in the US
4. Two recent passport photos
5. Valid passport
6. US Visa Application Form DS-156 and fee for each person
Ø Canadian Citizens traveling to the US on the J-1 program
As a Canadian citizen you are not required to apply for a US entry visa. However, you should present Form DS-2019 to a US official at the port of entry and you must have your passport stamped and receive a Form I-94 entry card that shows your name, date of birth, country of citizenship and entry date into the US with J-1 status written or stamped there. Family members who accompany you should also have their passport stamped as J-2 dependents. They should be issued I-94 entry cards that have J-2 written on them.
Ø Those NOT being paid by USC
ü Everyone in the US in J status must file a Tax Report Form 8843 with the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) annually.
ü For more information on these requirements refer to the US Internal Revenue Service web site http://www.irs.gov
ü In the event that things change and you begin earning money at USC, expenses related to your stay in the US may be deductible if you maintain a job and permanent residence abroad.
ü Keep a record of your expenses and receipts when possible for future use with a US tax consultant.
o J-2 dependents can remain in the US only for as long as the J-1 principal is in the US. J-2 dependents cannot remain in the US when the J-1 principal leaves.
o New regulations published by the US Department of State on December 12, 2002 prohibit J-2 dependents from enrolling in a full-time course of study.
o For this reason dependents who plan to enroll in a degree or diploma-seeking program of study should come to the US separately as an F-1 student after being admitted to a college or university program.
o Please be advised that we are currently seeking clarification on whether dependents under the age of 18 will be allowed to enroll in primary or secondary school programs.
o J-2 dependents can apply for work permission through the US Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) after arrival in the US.
o Once approved there are no restrictions on the type of employment a J-2 dependent can accept.
o J-2 employment is immediately subject to withholding of social security (FICA) tax despite the exemption allowed for the J-1 principal for the first two calendar years.
o Procedures and applications for J-2 Employment Authorization are available from International Support for Faculty & Staff.
o Applications for work permission are currently taking several months to process at the US Immigration office that has jurisdiction over South Carolina.
Because public transportation is not very developed in South Carolina, we recommend you obtain an international driver’s license while you are still abroad. This will allow you to drive in the US which many find necessary in South Carolina. A travel agent in your home country should be able to provide you with instructions on how to obtain the international driver’s license.
o When you come to International Support for Faculty & Staff for your initial appointment we will provide you with a number of hand-outs that will help you settle into the community. Among these you will find one that addresses questions most frequently asked about local transportation and buying a car.
The events of September 11, 2001 in New York and Washington, DC have led to changes in South Carolina law and procedures that make it difficult for people from other countries to obtain a South Carolina driver’s license. For information on what you will need to obtain a South Carolina driver’s license, please visit the web site of the South Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles at www.scdps.org/dmv
Ø Those who will have access to insurance through USC:
o If the appointment you hold at USC provides access to the USC Health Insurance, you will be able to choose from several different health insurance plans.
o You will need to choose a plan within the first 30 days of employment.
o Additionally, you will have to purchase a supplemental plan to cover medical evacuation and repatriation since these are required for J program participants.
o YOU WILL NOT BE COVERED BY USC health insurance until you have signed the USC forms and purchased the supplemental plan required.
Ø Those who will not have access to USC health insurance
o For those coming to USC in a non-salaried capacity, or on a short-term or part-time basis, health insurance is not provided. Please consult with your travel agent or your home institution about options that may be available.
o If you have not yet identified an insurance plan which complies with the J program regulations by the time you arrive, we will help you select a plan which you will be required to purchase at that time.
o The cost for coverage varies and generally relates to one’s age and whether one needs to pay for accompanying family members.
o The cost can be as little as $50 USD per month for the individual and up to $350 for people over 65 years of age.
o Int’l Support will help you identify the plan that is most cost-effective among those available in our office. You must be prepared to purchase a plan when you report to our office. You should bring either a credit card or traveler’s check to pay for the cost of coverage.
Ø Those being paid by USC
ü Payments or income received for activities effectively connected to your stay in the US are taxable and a portion of your paycheck must be withheld and reported according to US law.
ü Certain payments may be tax exempt by virtue of a treaty between the US and your country of residence for tax purposes.
ü For more information on these requirements refer to the US Internal Revenue Service web site http://www.irs.gov
ü Refer to IRS Publication 519 “US Tax Guide for Aliens” for general information and IRS Publication 901 “US Tax Treaties” for treaty information.
ü The USC International Taxation Coordinator will meet with you regarding these matters after your arrival at USC.
ü Expenses related to your stay in the US may be deductible if you maintain a job and permanent residence abroad.
ü Keep a record of your expenses and receipts for future use with a US tax consultant.
Ø Fulbright Scholars
Your immigration document (Form DS-2019) will be issued by the Council for International Exchange of Scholars (CIES). The DS-2019 enables you to apply for a J-1 visa at the US Embassy or Consulate closest to your place of residence. If your spouse or family will accompany you to the US, you should make arrangements ahead of time with CIES or the Fulbright coordinator in your home country. When you enter the US, you should immediately contact your Fulbright program coordinator in Washington, D.C.
Ø Applying for a visa from a country other than your country of citizenship or legal permanent residence
To be approved for a J-1 visa, you must be able to demonstrate strong ties to your home country or country of legal permanent residence. For this reason, applications for entry visas in locations other than one’s country of citizenship or legal permanent residence may lead to delays in processing or denial of the visa by US Consular offices. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for your J-1 visa in your home country.
v WHEN DEPARTING FOR THE UNITED STATES
You must have with you (on your person/not packed in your luggage):
1. Your passport
2. DS-2019
3. Evidence of financial support
ü If you are on an airplane, you - and any family members who will accompany you - will receive a long white US entry card, (Form I-94) from the airline host.
ü At the US port of entry a US official will review your immigration documents. Your passport, part of the I-94, and the original signed copy of the DS-2019 will be stamped by the US official and SHOULD BE returned to you. The copy for data entry purposes should be retained by the US immigration official.
ü The DS-2019 & I-94 are VERY IMPORTANT documents and should be kept in a safe place along with your passport. You will need these documents to prove you have legally entered the United States.
ü When you leave the US you will be required to surrender the Form I-94 to the airline or a US official.
ü You must come to the US within 30 days of the program start date on your DS-2019; otherwise the form becomes invalid and the document is automatically deleted from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) which is now in place at all US Embassies, Consulates and Ports of Entry.
ü You must report to our office within the first 30 days of entering the US.
ü Individuals from some countries are also required to register with a local Immigration Office upon their arrival in the U.S. When you visit our office, we will provide additional information on the special registration requirement and what you need to do if it applies to you.
ü You may enter the US up to 30 days prior to the beginning date on your DS-2019.
ü From the ending date, the Immigration Service allows you an additional 30 days within which to leave the US under “grace period” provisions of the J visa status, provided you have maintained your J program status throughout your stay. However, you are not allowed to work or receive remuneration during the final 30 day grace period. This time is given for you to pack, settle your affairs or to visit places or friends you hoped to see prior to departing the U.S.
Ø J-1 Professors and Research Scholars
o Are allowed up to 3 years stay in the United States.
o Cannot be changed to any J-1 category other than the research scholar or professor category.
o Are allowed to work only in the academic discipline and at the institution listed on the DS-2019 used to enter the US.
o May not pursue an academic degree program while here as a J-1 scholar.
o Are allowed to request permission to engage in short-term academic activities at a different academic institution and to receive an honorarium or expense reimbursement for the activity, provided permission is granted in advance by the J-1 Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer at the institution which issued your current DS-2019. If you are invited for activities such as participating in a colloquium, conference or short-term research at another university, you must request a letter in advance from International Support for Faculty & Staff authorizing you to engage in the academic activity prior to traveling to the other academic institution. For the activity to be approved it must relate to the academic discipline of the scholar, must be approved by the USC academic unit hosting the scholar, and must NOT delay completion of the original purpose in coming to USC. The approval must be entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
Ø J-1 Short-term Scholars
o Are limited to a total of 6 months stay in the United States.
o Cannot be changed to any other J category.
o Are allowed to work only in the academic discipline and at the institution listed on the DS-2019 used to enter the US.
o Are allowed to request permission to engage in short-term academic activities at a different academic institution and to receive an honorarium or expense reimbursement for the activity, provided permission is granted in advance by the J-1 Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer at the institution which issued your current DS-2019. If you are invited for activities such as participating in a colloquium, conference or short-term research at another university, you must request a letter in advance from International Support for Faculty & Staff authorizing you to engage in the academic activity prior to traveling to the other academic institution. The approval must be entered into (SEVIS).
Ø J-1 Specialists
o Program duration is limited to a maximum of one year
o Cannot be changed to any other J category including student category
o Are allowed to work only in the academic discipline and at the institution listed on the DS-2019 used to enter the US.
You may also be required to return to your home country for two years once you complete your stay as a J-1. This emanates from Section 212(e) of the US Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). You will be subject to INA 212(e):
ü If your occupation appears on a Skills List provided by your home country to the US government. This is an agreement between the US and other governments that requires J scholars to return home for two years to share the skills they have gained in the US with others in the home country.
ü If you received government funding to support your J program. Individuals who receive either US or home government funding to come to the US are automatically subject to the 212(e) Home Residency Requirement.
Ø Fulbright Scholars
o All Fulbright scholars and their family members entering the US on the J Exchange Visitor program are required to return to their home country for two years upon completing their Fulbright program.
Employment or compensation for occasional lectures by Fulbright scholars is restricted and must be approved in writing in advance by your Fulbright Program Officer in Washington, DC. For the activity to be approved it must relate to your academic discipline or cultural
o background and must NOT delay completion of your Fulbright program objective.
Ø DAAD/NATO Fellowship
o If you were subject to the 212(e) home residency requirement as a result of participating in the DAAD/NATO Fellowship J-1 program, then you will continue to have the obligation to fulfill the requirement. This does not preclude you from visiting the US on another J-1 program in the meantime. The time spent in the US will simply be deducted from the time you are accruing towards the home residency requirement.
Ø Twelve Month Bar
o Once you have been in the US in any J-1 status for more than six months, you are barred from returning to the US in the J-1 professor or researcher category until 12 months after the date you leave the US
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