The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program US Forest Service International Programs Presented by Brenda Dean, International Visitor Program Coordinator

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act)-1961 Objective: “To increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.”

What you need to know… Overview of the J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Program J-1 EV Program Categories Entry, Arrival & Immigration Documents Travel outside the USA How to Maintain your “J” Status Insurance, Address changes, Program Activities & limitations (Employment) J-2 Dependents 2-year Home Residency Requirement - 212(e) Program Completion or Extensions Departure Reports, 30-day grace period

Categories of J-1 Exchange Visitors Academic Government Visitor* International Visitor Professor Research Scholar* Short-Term Scholar* Specialist* Students (College/University) Students (secondary) Teacher (secondary) Private Sector Alien Physician Au Pair Camp Counselor Summer Work/Travel Trainee There are multiple categories of Exchange Visitors. It is important that you are familiar with the regulations which pertain to your specific category of exchange visitor program. The Forest Service invites exchange visitors in the underlined categories.** (Insert if approved) Note: All categories have different purposes, rules & time limitations. *The US Forest Service sponsors visitors in the four underlined.

Educational Exchange Activities with the Forest Service Government Visitors Visits/Tours Meetings Workshops/Seminars Max Program: 18 months Research Scholars Collaborative Research Lectures, Consultations Max Program: 5 years Specialists Observation Demonstrations Consultations Max Program: 12 months Short-Term Scholars Collaborative Research Lectures, Consultations Max Program: 6 months

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Agencies & Organizations Department of State Visa Services Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Coordination - Academic and Gov’t Programs Program Sponsor Government Agencies Universities Exchange Organizations Oversees Program & Reporting Activities Issues & Modifies DS-2019s Provides Orientation Host - Site of Activity US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) Department of Homeland Security Bureau for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Department of State through its Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is managed by the Department of Homeland Security through the Bureau for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Responsible Agencies & Organizations Department of State Visa Services Public Diplomacy & Public Affairs Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Coordination - Academic and Gov’t Programs Program Sponsor Government Agencies Universities Exchange Organizations Oversees Program & Reporting Activities Issues & Modifies DS-2019s Provides Orientation Host - Site of Activity Department of Homeland Security Bureau for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) The Exchange Visitor Program is very complex. It is dependent on information exchange and cooperation among multiple government agencies and organizations. While it may seem very complicated, this interaction and cooperation among agencies allows thousands of international exchange visitors to participate in intercultural and educational programs each year. The relationships among agencies are complex and often confusing to visitors.

Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status Upon meeting all program criteria, individuals invited to participate in a J-1 Exchange Visitor program are issued a Form DS-2019. This form is necessary to apply for a J-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate.

Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status Issued through SEVIS –Student and Exchange Visitor Information System for the purpose of tracking EV activities (SEVIS # - Box 1) by Program Sponsor’s (Box 2) Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) (Box 7) to a specific individual (Exchange Visitor) who meets program eligibility criteria (Box 1) The DS-2019, or Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Exchange Visitor Status is issued through the SEVIS system by the Program Sponsor to a specific individual who meets program eligibility requirements.

Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for (J-1) Exchange Visitor Status for a specific Program, Field & Category (Box 4) for which sufficient Funding has been demonstrated (Box 5) for the specific Program Period (Box 3). Consular Officials (DOS) review the form and grant J-1 visas. (Box 6) Border Patrol & Customs Officials (DHS) permit entry into the USA in J-1 Status. All visitors are invited for a specific program in a specific field or category. Sufficient funding must be demonstrated to support the program activities for the designated program period. Department of State Consular Officers determine eligibility for J-1 visas. Border Patrol and Customs Officials from the Department of Homeland Security permit entry into the USA in J-1 status.

Passports & J-1 Visas Passport must be valid 6 months into the future at all times J-1 Visa issued by US Consular Officer Visa Number - (in red) Lengths of Validity Differ If you exit the USA, you must have valid passport, visa & DS-2019 to re-enter in J status All Exchange Visitors must have valid passports which are valid at least 6 months beyond the designated program dates. They must also have a J-1 visa. Please familiarize yourself with the passport and visa processing timelines. If for some reason a J-1 visa holder needs to leave the USA after starting their program and they are able to return within 30 days to resume their program activities, they will need to have a valid passport, J-1 visa and DS-2019 to re-enter the country. Review your visa to determine if you have a single or multiple entry visa. Familiarize yourself with the processes and timelines for Passport renewal Application for new visa (exiting & re-entering)

Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Card Issued by Customs & Border Patrol Official at Port of Entry Serves as proof of entry & immigration status Defines Length of Stay – J-1 EVs should have “D/S” stamped on I-94, passport and DS-2019 – DURATION OF STATUS (Duration of Stay – Duration of Status) Keep this card stapled in your passport – It is an important record! Will be taken from you as you exit the country (Exception – some travel to Canada and Mexico)

Travel DS-2019 must be endorsed (signed) for travel by RO/ARO (Box in lower right hand corner - Complete request form online) Endorsement valid 12 months Must have valid Visa & Passport to re-enter Exceptions – Canada and Mexico – Ask IP before traveling! ALWAYS CONSULT INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS OFFICE BEFORE TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE USA

Responsibilities must: Engage in Cultural Exchange Activities Exchange Visitors/ J-1 Visa Holders must: Engage in Cultural Exchange Activities Participate in Educational Activities Maintain “J-1 Status” (Abide by all immigration & Program policies)

Cross-cultural Activities Experience anything typical or representative of North American societies and cultures Interact with American friends & colleagues Take part in Forest Service activities Participate in Community activities

Cross-cultural Activities Experience anything typical or representative of North American societies and cultures Interact with American friends & colleagues Take part in Forest Service activities Participate in Community activities

Maintaining “J” Status Engage in approved program activities as designated by the US Forest Service Have mandatory insurance coverage for self and all dependents Provide new addresses/contact info with in 10 days of any change of location Do not perform any activity outside the approved program activities

Insurance Requirements Mandatory for J-1 Visa Holders Cover illness and accidents $50,000 minimum $500 deductible $10,000 medical evacuation $7,500 repatriation of remains Health Insurance is extremely important in the United States. All USDA Forest Service Exchange Visitors are provided health insurance through XXX. This insurance meets the program’s minimum requirements listed on the slide. In general, you should present your insurance card to any medical service provider before being treated. You may be asked to pay a portion of the expenses for your medical care. Please read the instructions provided for your insurance plan thoroughly.

Contact Information Notify IP of new address/contact information within 10 days of a change! – SEVIS Complete Change of Address Form and return it to the IP Office Failure to notify sponsor of address change is a violation of J-1 status

Engage only in approved Program Activities Established Educational and Cultural Exchange Program – Approved Activities No Unauthorized Employment or Educational Activities

Program Modifications All modifications must be approved by Sponsor & RO/ARO Extensions Terminations Transfers

J-2 Dependants Spouse and unmarried children below 21 Adequate funding Must have health insurance May travel separately from J-1. However, J-1 cannot leave the country for more than 30 days without J-2 dependents J-2 may apply for Employment Authorization Document (EAD Card)

Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement What does it mean? An EV J-1 Visa Holder and his/her J-2 dependents are not eligible for: Permanent Residency (green card) H visa (temporary workers and dependents) L visa (intra-company transferees) before they have been physically present in their home country for 2 years (cumulative).

Two-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement Who is subject? Government Funded Exchange Program Participants Those who have skills on the “Skills List” Receiving graduate medical education or training

Waivers of the 2-year Home Presence Requirement? Information is available on the official Department of State Website. Criteria: No Objection Statement from home government Request by an interested US Government Agency Fear of Persecution Exceptional Hardship to a US citizen spouse or child Request by a designated State Dept of Health

Departure Requirements Departure Report – Exchange Visitor Program Completion Report – Advisor 30 day grace period for travel

24-Month Bar Exchange Visitors who participate as Professors or Research Scholars are not eligible to participate in another program as a Professor of Research Scholar until 24 months after the completion date of their previous program. There are no exceptions for programs of less than 6 months.

12-Month Bar Individuals who have been present in the United States in any “J” classification other than short-term scholar, and who have participated in a program of more than 6 months, are not eligible to start a new program as a Professor or Research Scholar until 12 months after the completion date of the previous program.

Disclaimer It is ultimately the Exchange Visitor’s responsibility to understand and abide by immigration regulations to which s/he is subject. The International Programs Office makes every effort to inform international visitors associated with the US Forest Service of the policies governing their programs; however, regulations change rapidly and are quite complex. International visitors and scholars should stay informed and abreast of immigration policies that concern their programs and stays in the United States.

Forms Arrival Form Address Form Insurance Form Debit Card Receipt Please complete the following forms immediately upon arrival: Arrival Form Address Form Insurance Form Debit Card Receipt Receipt of Handbook/Acceptance of Responsibility

International Programs USDA Forest Service International Programs 1099 14th Street, NW Suite 5500W, Washington, DC 2005 202-273-4695 Brenda Dean International Visitor Program Coordinator Responsible Officer Patricia Paugh Alternate Responsible Officer

Have a wonderful experience!