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J Exchange Program
Welcome to Michigan Technological University.
Michigan Technological University is committed to increasing diversity in teaching, learning and research. Following this commitment, J Exchange Visitor Program at Michigan Tech promotes international educational and cultural exchange in order to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Exchange programs exist in a variety of formats and permit visitors to come to this country for a wide range of activities. The Office of International Programs and Services at Michigan Tech is designated to offer immigration support services to all J scholars who join the university as professors, researchers, specialists and short-term scholars.
This information is developed so all J scholars can find some of the specifics relating to the J-1 exchange program and requirements for the scholar, researcher and faculty joining as exchange visitors.
Michigan Tech is a designated and approved program sponsor for the J-1 Exchange Program. As a program sponsor the University’s J program coordinator is responsible for issuing Forms DS-2019, maintaining SEVIS records, monitoring Exchange Visitors’ activities and compliance with federal regulations, and approving extension, employment and program transfer.
The university’s J Program Coordinator provides a DS-2019 (visa document) to the J visitors. J visitors must apply for the J visa at the U.S. consulate in their home country.
The Department of State (D.O.S.) issues J visas to exchange visitors and their dependents, designates exchange visitor program sponsors, and creates and administers federal regulations and policies governing the Exchange Visitor Program.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) admits an alien to the United States in J exchange visitor status and adjudicates certain immigration benefits for J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents.
The United States Immigration and Custom Enforcement Services (USICE) maintains the SEVIS database (where the DS-2019 is processed), in cooperation with the Department Of State (DOS)..
Responsible Officers (RO’s) or J program coordinator are those individuals who have been appointed by the University to perform the duties set forth in J regulations and to represent the university as the exchange visitors’ sponsor institution. At Michigan Tech, Dr. Saleha Suleman is the Responsible Officer (R.O.), Dr, Mailyn Vogler is the Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) and the
J Program Coordinator and Janey Pindral is an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) and administrative support for the J Program.
J Exchange Program Requirements
The following information is developed by the J Program at the Office of International Programs and Services (IPS) at Michigan Tech to provide important information about the J-I visa regulations and requirements of the J Exchange Program.
Professors and Researchers
An Exchange Visitor on a J-1 visa and/or as a professor or research scholar is authorized to participate in the Visitor Exchange Program for the length of the time necessary to complete the program, as stated in the DS-2019 documents. Also, the J Scholars must perform the function(s) outlined in their terms of appointment. Any other function must be discussed with the Responsible Officer at the IPS office. If the J scholars engage in an unauthorized off-campus employment or are no longer pursuing the J program, their DS-2019 and J visa status will be terminated by the university and the Department of State. The maximum duration of the program for professor and researchers is 5 years.
Short-Term Scholars
There is no minimum period for the short term scholar. However, the maximum limit of the program is six months. Short-term scholars will not be able to extend their program beyond six months.
Specialist
Specialists are defined as exchange visitors who are not academic scholars in the strict sense, but share special knowledge and skills such as performing artists, persons with technical expertise on scientific, others whose world experience gives them special knowledge or skills.
Mandatory Reporting at the IPS Office Upon arrival
All J visitors are required to report to the IPS upon their arrival. This visit is mandatory to ensure that all immigration documents are collected, recorded and reported to the Department of State and ICE (US Immigration). Failure to report to the IPS may result in the cancellation of the visa as the J program coordinator will not be able to verify that the J visitor has joined the University.
Mandatory Health Insurance
Exchange visitors are REQUIRED (as a condition of their J-1 status) to carry health insurance for themselves and their J-2 dependents. Faculty members, visiting professors, and research scholars may be covered by the insurance policy approved and offered under the benefits program of Michigan Tech. If the J scholars are not eligible for insurance under university’s benefits, they must purchase and maintain health insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents throughout their stay as J scholar. IPS recommends that J scholar purchase travel insurance which can cover them during their travel and first few days in the United States. For more information on health insurance, visit Human Resources.
NOTE: Failure to maintain the required comprehensive health insurance coverage is cause for termination from the program.
Program ExtensionIf a scholar wishes to extend the J program or transfer to another program, she/he must consult with her/his department chair and with the J-1 program Responsible Officer (RO) at IPS who signed your DS-2019 form, 45 days before the expiration of your DS-2019. The J Program Coordinator at the International Programs and Services may extend your stay for an additional year up to a maximum of 5 years.
Travel abroad and re-entry to the United States
If at any time J scholar wishes the leave the country to travel, he/she must see the J Program Coordinator at the International Programs and Services Office to check all travel documents and endorsement on the DS-2019. Without this endorsement, J scholar will not be allowed to re-enter the United States.
Dependents of Exchange Visitors (J-2 visa holders)
Spouses and children under 21 of Exchange Visitors are considered “J-2 dependents”. Dependents are issued their own DS-2019 but will be required to comply with the some of the same requirements as the J-1 visa holder (i.e. health insurance coverage, length of stay). Dependents may also come to the United States separately from the exchange visitor or with a different visa status. Before a J-2 dependent reaches the age of 21, he/she must apply to change to F-1 visa status or leave the country.
J-2 Employment
A J-2 dependent may request a work authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The request must clearly indicate that the earnings from the employment will be used solely for the benefit of the dependent. The earnings may be used for such activities as recreation, cultural enrichment, travel, education, or any other purpose not related to the needs of the principal exchange visitor. Contact the J Program Coordinator at the IPS for processing work authorization requests to USCIS for J-2 visa holders.
Termination of the Program
If for some reason, such as working outside the program guidelines, not following program rules or regulations, committing any type of crime, etc, the J scholar is informed that his/her program is being terminated, he/she must leave the U.S. immediately as there is no grace period.
Where to go for Information?
• Michigan Tech International Programs and Services (IPS) will be the first place to go for many of your answers as a J Exchange Visitor.
• Useful websites include: DOS Home Page http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/
DOS Visa Policy and Procedures http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa
Who do I need to know?
• Dr. Marilyn Vogler, Assoc. Director IPS and J Program Coordinator, mjvogler@mtu.edu 906-487-2813
• Janey Pindral, SEVIS Specialist and J Administrative Support, jlpindra@mtu.edu 906-487-1865
Last Updated: 31-Jul-2007