U.S. Entry Visa

To enter the United States, all nonimmigrant international visitors (except Canadians) are required to have the proper visa stamp placed in their passports. “Nonimmigrant” means a person has no intention of staying in the United States permanently. Visas are obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.

People come to the United States for many different reasons. The type of visa you request should match the purpose for your visit. Visa types are classified using an alpha-numeric system.

A visa sample:

Visa sample

A visa allows a nonimmigrant to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (airport, for example) and present themselves to a U.S. Immigration Inspector. The Inspector will ask some questions about their intent for coming to the United States and check to make sure that the nonimmigrant has an appropriate visa. Once admitted, an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record will be created. This indicates which nonimmigrant status they have been admitted to and the amount of time they are allowed to stay.

A J-1 Exchange Visitor should only enter the United States with the visa that has their school’s (or program’s) name noted on it (see “annotation,” above), even if the visa has not yet expired. If changing schools or programs, obtain a new visa with the new program name noted on it before entering or re-entering the United States.

A visa has an expiration date. A visa does not determine how long one can remain in the United States. A visa is an ENTRY document only. Once in the United States, there are other factors that determine the allowed length of stay. International visitors coming to the United States as F-1 or J-1 students are generally allowed to remain for the length of their academic programs.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record

The I-94 is the proof of legal entry into the United States. When entering the United States as a nonimmigrant, the Customs Border Protection (CBP) officer examines your passport and visa and then issues either a passport admission stamp or a small white card called the Form I-94. This indicates how long you are allowed to stay in the United States and proves that they arrived in the country legally.

  1. Nonimmigrants who arrive in the United States by air or sea should be issued the passport admission stamp. If you have received a passport admission stamp, there will also be an electronic I-94 record.
    • Passport admission stamp sample:
      Passport Admission Stamp
    • Get your most recent I-94 record HERE .
  2. Nonimmigrants who arrive in the United States by crossing a land border will continue to receive the paper I-94 card. In these cases, you will not receive an electronic I-94 record.

On the passport admission stamp or the paper I-94 card, the inspector writes either a date or “D/S” (duration of status). Students and scholars on F or J status should receive a stamp marked “D/S” or “duration of status.” This means that they may remain in the United States as long as they are properly maintaining status and their I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) has not expired.

Students and scholars are required to keep the passport entry stamp or I-94 card for the duration of their visit. Make sure to keep it in a safe place so it doesn’t get lost.

Every I-94 record has an eleven-digit admission number. This number may be needed at the Department of Motor Vehicles and for employment purposes, but it is not a number that needs to be memorized. In fact, a new I-94 number will be given each time the student or scholar re-enters the United States.

I-94 automation fact sheet contains frequently asked questions about the I-94 (record of admission) automation.

Applying for a Visa

Do the following to get an F-1 or J-1 entry visa:

  1. Obtain a valid I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1).
  2. Check the current wait times for visa appointments and issuance in your city.
  3. Pay the SEVIS Fee, if applicable.
  4. Complete the Visa Application form DS-160 and pay the DS-160 fee .
  5. Make a visa appointment and go to an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
    • You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.

Increased Visa Screening:

  • Be mindful of your social media presence. The DS-160 visa application includes specific questions requiring you to list all social media platforms, identifiers, and handles used in the previous 5 years.
  • Point of Contact in the US: F/J Enrolled Students should use the contact address and phone and provide the name of the DSO/ARO who issued your I-20/DS-2019. J-1 Scholars should use the name and contact information from their host department.
  • Address Where You will Stay in the US: If you don’t know your U.S address, use the address you will use when you first arrive in the US, which might be a temporary address like a hotel or friend.
  • Five years of previously used telephone numbers, email addresses, and international travel.
  • Admission of all prior immigration violations.

Required documents when going to the visa interview:

  • Passport (valid at least six months into the future)
  • Valid Certificate of Eligibility I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1)
  • Proof of admission (F/J new students) or proof of enrollment (F/J currently enrolled students) or appointment letter (J scholars)
  • Evidence of financial support (J scholars)
    • All J-1 Exchange Visitors and J-2 dependents must show sufficient funding to cover the duration of their J program.
      • At UC Berkeley, the minimum monthly funding requirements are: $2000 for the J-1 + $600 for a J-2 spouse + $400 for each J-2 child.
    • All funding documents must be:
      • Issued within the past 6 months
      • Converted to U.S. dollars using an online currency converter(link is external) (attach a printout showing both currency values)
      • Translated into English (include both the original language funding document and the translation)
If you are age: Then an interview is:
13 and younger Generally not required
14 - 79 Required (some exceptions for renewals)
80 and older Generally not required

DS-2019

The DS-2019 is a multi-purpose document issued by a U.S. government-approved institution (or organization) certifying that your admission into a program has been accepted and that you have demonstrated sufficient financial resources to stay in the U.S. for the length of the DS-2019 form. The DS-2019 is officially titled the “Certificate of Eligibility” because with it, you are “eligible” to apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Your spouse or children will also each need their own DS-2019 to obtain J-2 dependent status, if desired.

Once your admission into a program has been accepted, your name and other biographic information are entered into a U.S. government database called SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). The SEVIS database processes the information and produces a “PDF” file of the DS-2019 that is sent back to the school via the internet. The school official (either a Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer) prints and signs the DS-2019 and then it is prepared for delivery to you. If an update or change needs to be made on the DS-2019, the school official makes these requests through SEVIS and a new document is produced.

The DS-2019 form is used by the prospective visitor to apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. The DS-2019 must be presented along with the J-1 visa to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent upon arrival at a U.S. port-of-entry.

Once the visitor has arrived in the United States and passed through the border inspections process, the DS-2019 is used for identification purposes and proof of legal status. For those J visitors who are eligible for employment, the DS-2019 will be shown to the employer as part of the hiring process.

If you will be traveling abroad and then returning to the United States to resume your J-1 program, you must take your DS-2019 with you. The DS-2019 is required for re-entering the United States and applying for a new visa (if you need one).

An “end date” was entered into item #3 on page 1 of your DS-2019 based on your particular program. If you are not able to finish your program on that date, you must request an extension from your program sponsor BEFORE the DS-2019 expires. In all cases, proof of sufficient funds will be required to extend your stay in the United States.

J-1 students who are interested in working in the United States following their program completion must apply for Academic Training work authorization before their actual program completion date.

The J-1 visitor is responsible for maintaining copies of all DS-2019s that they receive during their program. It is important that you save the copies in a secure location as you may be asked to present them when applying for future immigration benefits, a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement, or other applications.

The SEVIS Fee (I-901 Fee)

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a U.S. government system that manages data and application processes for F-1 and J-1 nonimmigrants in the United States. If you are beginning a new program in the United States, you are required to pay a one-time fee before you may obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa and enter the United States. The SEVIS fee is in addition to any visa fees you may be required to pay at a U.S. consulate. This fee is not a university fee and provides no funds or services to the university.

  • F-2 and J-2 dependent family members are not required to pay the fee.

Fee payment:

  • Payment of the fee must be made at least 3 business days prior to making an application for an F-1 or J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate.
  • The fee cannot be paid at a U.S. consulate or at a U.S. port of entry. (Note: Some consulates in China and India may be able to collect the SEVIS fee together with visa fees. Please contact the U.S. consulate for fee payment information.)
  • Online payment
    • Payment can be made by Visa, Mastercard, or American Express.
    • SEVIS ID number is on your I-20 or DS-2019 (found in the upper right corner of the F-1 I-20 or upper left of the DS-2019 starting with characters N00).
    • Print the online receipt after completing the payment form. Make and keep extra copies of your SEVIS fee payment receipt.
      • You should keep your receipt for your entire period in the United States.
      • Present a copy of the receipt with your visa application at the U.S. consulate and at the U.S. port of entry. Carry the receipt with you during any future travel into the United States.
      • F-2 and J-2 dependent family members should present a copy of the receipt when applying for F-2 or J-2 visas and when traveling into the United States.
    • I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Video

J-1

J-1 visa status is generally used for students in specific educational exchange programs. It may also be used by the university for students in degree programs. To be eligible for a J-1, students must receive a majority of their financial support from sources other than personal funds.

To be eligible for J-1 status, students must meet the following criteria:

  • Have adequate financial support for all of your school and living expenses, including additional financial support for any accompanying family members, for the duration of your degree program as determined by normative time. AND 51% of your total financial support comes from an institutional or government sponsor in the form of a scholarship, fellowship, assistantship, stipend, tuition waiver, or other direct support provided specifically for the educational program. Personal or family funds and loans or support from individuals do not qualify.
    • Must have substantial (51%) institutional financial support provided specifically for the educational program to obtain the initial document and to request any extensions of the DS-2019.
    • Must show financial support for the entire length of program when requesting the initial document.
  • OR You are participating in a specific educational exchange program.

Students in J-1 status are considered participants of the Exchange Visitor Program , which is managed by the U.S. Department of State.

Your J-1 sponsor may be a university, educational institution, or organization that has brought you to the United States to fulfill a specific educational objective. Sponsorship by a university may or may not signify financial support. Sponsorship by an organization, on the other hand, is commonly connected with some level of financial support. In most cases, a program sponsor issues the initial DS-2019 (needed to enter the United States) and subsequent DS-2019s. The program sponsor also has the authority to approve or deny on-campus employment, school transfers, and Academic Training. The program sponsor is listed on section #2 of the DS-2019 form.

Basic guidelines of maintaining legal status:

  • Maintain full-time enrollment.
  • Keep your local address updated.
  • Get on-campus employment permission.
  • Get off-campus employment permission.
  • Understand your grace period after completion
    • J-1/J-2s have a 30 day grace period following the end of their program of study or Post-Completion Academic Training. J-1s may ONLY use the grace period for departure. Any Transfer or post-completion Academic Training request must be submitted BEFORE the end of the program of study or DS-2019 expiration.
  • Buy the required amount of health insurance coverage.
    • The U.S. Department of State requires specific health insurance coverage for J-1 students and accompanying J-2 dependents for the entirety of their stay in the U.S. You, and your J-2 dependents, must maintain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 federal guidelines for the entire length of your program, including post-completion Academic Training.
  • Get a travel endorsement for travel out of the United States and re-entry.
  • See more here .

J-1s and their J-2 dependents may be subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement . J-2 and their J-2 dependents may also be subject to the 12-Month Bar , depending on the length of the J program. Please note that the Two Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement and the 12-Month Bar are separate and distinct rules.

Current travel updates (including vaccination, quarantine, and testing)

J-2

The spouse and unmarried, minor children (under 21 years of age) of the exchange visitor are eligible for J-2 status.

J-2 dependents may not enter the U.S. unless the J-1 is in the U.S. or accompanies the dependents. In other words, if a J-2 dependent enters separately from the J-1, the J-1 must arrive in the U.S. first.

J-2 dependents should have a valid passport with a valid J-2 visa stamp. They should also have their own DS-2019 form and proof of the funding noted on the DS-2019.

J-2 dependents are permitted to stay in the U.S. as long as the J-1 is in the U.S. If the J-1 is approved for an extension of his/her program, the status of the dependents is automatically extended.

It is often necessary for the family to show that they have additional financial resources to support themselves while living in the U.S.

When applying for a visa and first coming to the United States, a dependent may be asked for evidence of the relationship to the Harvard student or scholar (such as marriage certificate and/or birth certificate). If your spouse and/or children will accompany you to the University, we suggest that you bring certified copies of your marriage certificate and birth certificate(s), if applicable, with English translation, to the U.S. This is especially important if you will be paid by Harvard and may be eligible for employee benefits. These documents may be needed in order to enroll your dependents to receive benefits such as health insurance.

The J-2 Form DS-2019 can be issued once evidence of sufficient funding for their expected living expenses and required health insurance is provided. Each J-2 dependent will have their own Form DS-2019 with a SEVIS number. J-2 visa holders do not have to pay the SEVIS fee. All Forms DS-2019 should be signed by the J-1 visa holder.

EAD

https://internationaloffice.berkeley.edu/families/j-2_employment

J-2 dependents may apply for employment authorization, but should be advised that employment may not begin until the J-2 has received the work permit. J-2 dependent work permission is not guaranteed.

It is not necessary for a J-2 dependent to show proof of special skills or a job offer to receive a work permit.

J-2 work permits are obtained from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) through an application process that takes an average of 3-5 months to process. Employment may not begin until the J-2 has received the work permit, called the Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

The EAD allows the J-2 dependent to work in any job, full-time or part-time. Employment cannot extend beyond the end date on the EAD. Extensions of the EAD are possible, up to the end date on the DS-2019. Please note that the extension process also takes an average of 3-5 months, so plan ahead if employment needs to be continuous (without any gaps between work authorization periods).

Income from the dependent’s employment may be used to support the family’s customary recreational and cultural activities and related travel, among other things. Employment will not be authorized if this income is needed to support the J-1 primary status holder.

J-2 dependents are eligible for part-time or full-time study at every level of education. Berkeley International Office recommends that a J-2 visitor who plans to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate degree speak with an adviser about the benefits of changing status to a student visa.

Application:

https://www.hio.harvard.edu/employment-j-2-dependents

Social Security Numbers

Social Security (also known as FICA—Federal Insurance Contributions Act) and Medicare are U.S. government programs that provide benefits for U.S. citizens and U.S permanent residents, usually for retirement. It is financed by taxes withheld from the paychecks of working people.

F-1 or J-1 students and scholars who are “non-residents for tax purposes” are not required to pay these taxes. J-2 dependents and F-1 and J-1’s who have become “residents for tax purposes,” are required to pay in to Social Security and Medicare taxes.

A Social Security card is required for everyone who works in the U.S., even non-immigrants. On the card will be a unique Social Security Number (SSN) that you will keep for life. You will need the number for many purposes in the U.S. including employment and paying taxes. A Social Security card is not a work permit.

An SSN is issued once per lifetime. If you have previously had a SSN, but do not have the card or do not remember the number, you can apply for a duplicate card if you meet the eligibility requirements above.

Applications made too early may be rejected or delayed beyond the usual processing time. Students and visiting scholars must be physically present in the U.S. to apply for an SSN. The Social Security Administration (SSA) is required to verify your legal entry into the U.S. before issuing an SSN. You must wait at least 10 days after entering or re-entering the US to apply in order for your admission record to be verified.

You may work while the Social Security number application is being processed. There is no provision in the law that requires employers to have their employees’ SSNs before hiring them. There is no provision that prohibits an employee from beginning work if he or she has not yet obtained an SSN. However, you must have employment authorization from your program sponsor or USCIS before you begin working.

J-2 dependents must have an Employment Authorization Document (EAD), and can apply for the SSN no earlier than the start date of the EAD.

Although an SSN is only meant to be used for tax and government purposes, it is often used by financial institutions, businesses, and others as a unique identification number. Because the SSN is a unique ID, it is often the target of “identity theft”. Therefore you should be very careful about where and to whom you give your SSN.

  • Never carry your Social Security card or number with you. Keep it at home in a secure place.
  • Only give your SSN to someone who has a specific and legitimate need for it.
  • Be very careful with any forms, applications or other materials that may have your SSN on them.
  • Never give your SSN to someone who phones you. You should initiate the call or meet in person.
  • Never reply to email or web sites that request an SSN.

Most businesses do not need an SSN from you unless it is for credit purposes (loans, credit cards, cell phone companies, etc.) If a business requests an SSN solely for ID purposes, you can request that the business create an ID for you. You do not need an SSN to open bank accounts. If a bank clerk insists on an SSN, ask to speak to a manager.

References