Maintain your J-1 Visa Status

Information on maintaining J-1 Visa Status

You must maintain your lawful J-1 status during your time at Missouri S&T. Failure to comply with requirements may affect your ability to remain in or return to the United States.  Requests can be made via the ISSS Gateway Portal.  

J-1 Exchange Visitors can make an appointment with their advisor using our Advising Services.

Use your Provided Email Address to login or contact isss@mst.edu with any questions or concerns. 

ISSS Gateway Portal
ISSS Gateway Portal

Click to login.
Bridge USA
Bridge USA

The U.S. Department of State website for information related to the J-1 Exchange Program.

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 years old are considered dependents. They can be admitted to the United States under the J-2 non-immigration status. To add a dependent, include the required documents listed below:

  • Copy of passport for each dependent
  • Copy of marriage certificate for you and your spouse (must be in English)
  • Copy of birth certificate for each child (must be in English)
  • Financial Documentation: An Additional $4,000 of financial support for each dependent is required

To add a dependent, make the request in the ISSS Gateway Portal. 

To complete your SEVIS Program Validation to move your record from initial to active status, please provide the following information: 
  • Copy of your current passport. 
  • Copy of your Signed DS-2019
  • Copy of your J-1 Visa 
  • Confirmation of Health Insurance Coverage
  • SEVIS Program Validation Form (attached)
  • Form I-94 - you can download this form by using your passport information here. 

To complete the request go to the ISSS Gateway Portal. 

To request a transfer to another SEVP Certified J-1 Exchange Program, complete the request on the ISSS Gateway Portal. 

Be sure to include: 

  • Proof of an offer from another university. 
  • The other university's J-1 Program Number. 
  • Date of requested transfer. 

Pay close attention to the ending date on your DS-2019 and DO NOT allow it to expire.

  • If your appointment at Missouri S&T needs to be extended, your academic department must submit an updated continuation offer letter/invitation letter to International Scholar Services.
  • Visiting scholars are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program to share their exchange experiences as per the Home Country Physical Presence Requirement under U.S. law. If you are subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement of INA 212(e), your accompanying spouse or child will also be subject to that requirement.
  • Depart the United States within 30 days of the end date listed on your DS-2019 form.

Financial Support for Extension of Program: $1,500 per month or $18,000 per year. If you are receiving a salary from Missouri S&T additional proof of funding support is not required. Submit a financial statement in English with the following:

  • Name(s) of the account holder.
  • Types of acceptable accounts: checking, savings, current, or deposit accounts.
  • Total Available Balance
  • Dated within 18 months before the program start date or extended/intended date of the program.
  • Official Stamp or Signature of Bank Official
  • Official letterhead that includes: logo, address, email, and telephone number of financial institution.
  • If the account is not in your name and is from a family member or friend, please submit a written statement of support from the account holder. The statement should include your name, the signature of the account holder, and the date it was signed.
J-1 research scholars can request off-campus work authorization in a few circumstances: 
  • Unforeseen economic hardship
    J-1 students can request off-campus work authorization if they experience serious, urgent, or unforeseen economic circumstances after acquiring their J-1 status. This work authorization allows students to work part-time while school is in session and full-time during breaks. The job doesn't need to be related to the student's field of study. 
  • Incidental employment
    J-1 scholars can request incidental employment authorization by submitting a request at least 10 business days before their start date. They'll need to include support letters from their faculty host and the institution where they'll be working. Incidental Employment is a period of temporary employment that is secondary to an Exchange Visitor's (EV's) primary objective. If authorized, EV's in the Research Scholar and Professor category, may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations.
  • Additional site of activity
    In rare cases, a scholar's hosting department may require them to work at an additional site as part of their responsibilities. The scholar will need to consult with their institution to discuss their case and request authorization. 

Missouri S&T is required to report any “serious incident or controversy” involving a J-1 exchange visitor to the U.S. Department of State. If you learn of any incident involving a J-1 exchange visitor that fits into the categories below or might otherwise qualify, you must email ISSS@mst.edu right away. This will ensure that we meet our reporting obligations.

The Department of State defines a “serious incident or controversy” as “any situation that has or could endanger the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor or otherwise could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor’s exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute.”

Examples of qualifying incidents include, but are not limited to:

  • The death, disappearance, or serious injury or illness of the exchange visitor
  • Incidents involving the criminal justice system
  • Sexually-related incidents or abuse
  • Serious behavioral problems or mental health concerns surrounding the exchange visitor
  • Incidents involving child protective services
  • Fraud (e.g., visa, immigration, or financial fraud or scam)
  • Unsuitable host/work conditions (e.g., incident or allegation involving workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination, hostile work environment, or work hours and/or wage-related issues)
  • Potential or actual negative press involving the sponsor’s exchange visitor program
  • Incidents where a foreign government has become involved
  • Lost or stolen immigration documents
  • Theft of intellectual property
  • Violation of export controls (that is, export of sensitive technology or information)
  • Other situations impacting exchange visitor safety
  • Enter the United States in the 30-day grace period before your Program Start Date. Your DS-2019 will need to be updated if you plan to arrive after the start of your program. Then you must complete the SEVIS Program Validation Process with your ARO (listed on your DS-2019 as the Alternate Responsible Officer). 
  • All Exchange Visitors should attend an orientation via Zoom, or request to meet in person.
  • Report any changes in address (both your U.S. and foreign address) within ten days. 
  • Maintain a valid passport. Passports may be renewed by your embassy located in the United States.
  • All employment activity must be authorized – do not participate in unauthorized employment.
  • Update all job responsibilities to your international advisor.
  • If you plan to travel outside of the U.S., obtain the necessary signatures on your DS-2019. 
  • Work with your academic department to report any changes to your J-1 program (ex: program activity, non-paid/paid appointment, financial support, site of activity, early completion/termination, etc.).
  • If you wish to end your program early at Missouri S&T and transfer to another institution, request a SEVIS Transfer Out.
  • Pay close attention to the ending date on your DS-2019 and DO NOT allow it to expire.
  • If your appointment at Missouri S&T needs to be extended, your academic department must submit an Exchange Visitor Extension Form to International Enrollment within 60 days before the expiration date. Visiting scholars are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program to share their exchange experiences as per the Home Country Physical Presence Requirement under U.S. law.
  • If you are subject to the 2-year foreign residence requirement of INA 212(e), your accompanying spouse or child will also be subject to that requirement.
  • Depart the United States within 30 days of the end date listed on your DS-2019 form.