Maintaining Your J-1 Status

J-1 students are those sponsored by East Tennessee State University. Once you are admitted to the United States under the J-1 status, you MUST follow the Department of Homeland Security’s regulations and procedures pertaining to your non-immigrant status:

• Your passport MUST be valid at all times, unless you are exempt from the passport requirements.
• You MUST notify our office of any change of address within 10 days of such change by using GoldLink.
• You must not change majors, degree level without prior consultation with the international student advisor
• You MUST maintain health insurance coverage, for yourself and dependents, which meets the requirements of the Exchange Visitor Program. J-1 students are charged for the insurance premium when they register, but must enroll their dependents in the insurance program themselves.

TBR Health Insurance Brochure

Willful failure to comply can result in your termination from the J-1 program. In addition,

• Students must enroll in a full –time course of study during the academic year (12 hours for undergraduate and 9 hours for graduate students). Deviations of the full time enrollment rule may be permitted with authorization from the International Student Advisor. Authorization MUST be obtained prior to part time enrollment.
• J-1 students who plan to transfer to another institution should contact the office of International programs for guidance.
• J-1 students who plan to transfer to ETSU after attending another institution in the United States, should contact the Office of International Programs and Services for guidance.
• You MUST apply for a program extension if you cannot complete your current program by the ending date listed in section 3 of your form DS-2019. Extensions MUST be requested no later than 60 days before the expiration date in form DS-2019. Failure to extend a program in a timely fashion will place you “out of status” (Illegal) in the United States.
• J-1 Students cannot accept any type of employment unless authorized by the Responsible Officer in writing. On –campus employment is limited to part-time (20 hours or less per week) during the academic year and may be may be full-time (more than 20 hours per week) during the summer and official school breaks. When you work on-campus during normal enrollment periods, you MUST maintain your full-time student status or your employment will be considered illegal.
• Before traveling outside the U.S. with the intention of re-entering, you must have the Responsible Officer/Alternate Responsible Officer sign the your form DS-2019authorizing you to re-enter the United States.
• As an Exchange Visitor, you may be subject to the "two-year home country physical presence requirement [212(e)] which dictates that you must return to your home country for at least two years upon completion of your J-1 program, unless you obtain a waiver.
• J-2 dependents may be eligible to work in the United States. To work, the dependent must apply for work permission from the USCIS can only work once work permission is granted by the USCIS and only for the period authorized.
• Exchange Visitors and J-2 dependents that work are required to file federal income tax.

Once you complete your program, you have 30 days to leave the country.