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

2. 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.”

3. 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 (e)
Program Completion or Extensions
Departure Reports, 30-day grace period

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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).

7. 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.

8. 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 This form is necessary to apply for a J-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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)

12. 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)

13. 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

14. 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)

15. 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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. 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

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

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

22. 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)

23. 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).

24. 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

25. 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

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

27. 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.

28. 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.

29. 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.

30. 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

31. International Programs
USDA Forest Service
International Programs
th Street, NW Suite 5500W, Washington, DC
Brenda Dean
International Visitor Program Coordinator
Responsible Officer
Patricia Paugh
Alternate Responsible Officer

32. Have a wonderful experience!