J-1 Arrival and Departure
Scholars are responsible for learning, understanding, and complying with U.S. federal laws and regulations governing the appropriate visa. Failure to do so will violate the scholar’s legal status in the U.S.
Your responsibilities include but may not be limited to the following:
Requirements before arrival in the U.S.
Schedule an Orientation Appointment – Email international.services@utsa.edu for us to validate your arrival into the SEVIS system. Complying with this obligation is crucial to your legal stay in the U.S.
Plan your arrival – J-1 regulations require that you arrive in the U.S. within 30 days of the start date shown on your DS-2019. Notify us if your arrival will be more than 30 days after the start date so that we can adjust your DS-2019.
Carry your documents by hand – Do not place the following documents in your baggage. If your baggage is lost or delayed, you will be unable to present the documents at your port of entry. As a result, you may not be able to enter the United States.
- Your passport, valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected stay and, if re-entering the United States, the DS-2019.
- Evidence of financial resources
- Letter of acceptance as a participant in the Exchange Visitor Program
- Paper receipt for the SEVIS fee, Form I-901
- Name and contact information for your sponsoring organization, including a 24-hour emergency contact number
If arriving by air – Go to the Immigration port of entry kiosk upon arrival and register your arrival.
If arriving by land or sea – The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer at the port of entry will provide the necessary Customs Declaration Forms (CF-6059) and Arrival-Departure Record Forms (I-94) to be filled out upon your arrival.
Scholar Orientation at UTSA
Report to international.services@utsa.edu for your mandatory orientation appointment. If you did not make an appointment before arriving in the U.S., you must contact International Services to make an appointment immediately upon arrival. The orientation is required so that we may validate your arrival into the SEVIS system.
Bring the following items with you to your orientation appointment:
- Passport
- I-94 (arrival/departure document)
- DS-2019
- Insurance
- Local San Antonio Address
If you do not have a U.S. address by the time of the orientation, please make sure you notify us of your address as soon as you have it.
Report address changes to International Services
All J-1 scholars are required to report an address change within 10 days of any move to International Services.
International Services must have your exact residential address even if you choose to receive mail at a Post Office box.
Report changes in program to International Services
Scholars must notify International Services whenever there is a change in their academic program or program dates.
Report to International Services if your dependent family members arrive in the U.S.
Keep International Services informed if dependent family members arrive in the U.S. We must enter their information into SEVIS.
Scholars should not depart the U.S. for more than one month during their period of stay with dependents present in the U.S. Contact International Services for any travel outside of the United States for more than 30 days.
Maintain required health insurance
J-1 scholars must maintain required health insurance (includes Basic Medical Health Insurance, Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance) for yourselves and any dependents in J-2 status throughout your stay in the U.S.
Maintain a valid passport during your stay in the U.S.
Passports must be valid at all times.
Abide by employment regulations
Scholars may conduct research or teach only at UTSA unless specifically authorized ahead of time by International Services to give a lecture or consult at another institution.
Scholars must contact International Services if invited to speak or consult at another institution.
Apply for an extension prior to the expiration date on your current DS-2019
Scholars must apply for a program extension before their current DS-2019 expires if they will not be able to complete their program at UTSA by the end date of their DS-2019.
The maximum stay for scholars in the Research Scholar or Professor categories currently is five years. The maximum stay for short-term scholars is six months.
Receive transfer authorization prior to leaving UTSA
Scholars must receive authorization from International Services before leaving UTSA in order to transfer to another institution.
Report departure date and reason to International Services
Report all departure dates and the reason for departure to International Services. This includes travel, change of program, or leaving the U.S. to return home. J-1 End of program form.
Obtain a travel signature prior to departing the U.S.
Scholars should obtain the International Scholar Advisor’s signature on their DS-2019 prior to traveling outside the U.S. for temporary absences (including traveling to Canada and Mexico ) to facilitate your re-entry to the U.S. as a J-1 scholar.
It is recommended that scholars request a travel signature a month in advance of their travel.
Depart the U.S. within the 30-day grace period
Scholars must depart the U.S. within 30 days of the DS-2019 expiration date or program end date, whichever is earlier unless you have applied for a change of status with USCIS.
