J-1 Scholar Responsibilities & Regulations

J-1 scholars must have in-person requirements due to the exchange visitor nature of this program.  J-1 scholars cannot be designated as fully remote.

Beginning July 1, 2023, exchange visitors in the Professors, Research Scholar, and Short-term Scholar categories may participate remotely no more than 40% of their program (e.g., two out of five days per week) when their host organizations have instituted partial remote policies and their sponsor has approved their hybrid program participation.

• All changes to U.S. local (off campus) address must be done by the scholar in SOLAR.
• Updates to U.S. phone number and email addresses should be done in accessVIS within 10 days of the change. 
• Report any changes to J-2 email addresses within 10 days of the change to VIS (vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu).

• J-1 Scholars may conduct research or teach only at Stony Brook University unless specifically authorized ahead of time by VIS to give a lecture or consult at another institution.
• J-1 Exchange Visitors are only allowed to receive payment as specifically noted on the Form DS-2019 unless given prior written authorization from the J Exchange Visitor program sponsor.
• Scholars must contact their VIS Advisor if invited to speak or consult at another institution prior to completing any work.

Scholars must depart the United States within 30 days of the expiration of the Form DS-2019 or program end date, whichever is earlier, unless they have applied for a change of status.

• You CANNOT extend J program during the 30-day grace period.
• You CANNOT conduct research/teach/work or get paid during the 30-day grace period.
• You CANNOT transfer during the 30-day grace period.

• J-1 scholars must inform both the host department and VIS (vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu) if they will be ending their program more than 15 days before the end date of the Form DS-2019.
• J-1 scholars must inform VIS (vis_scholar@stonybrook.edu) if accompanying J-2 dependents’ final departure from the U.S. is prior to the scholars’ departure date.

Scholars in the Research Scholar or Professor categories are subject to a two-year bar on repeat participation in these categories. If scholars plan to come back to the United States in J-1 status in the future, they should discuss their plans with their VIS Advisor.

Your legal J-1 immigration status is only valid as long as you are maintaining your appointment with Stony Brook University and are engaging in research and/or teaching at SBU as noted on your Form DS-2019.

Scholars must notify their VIS Advisor whenever there is a change in the academic program or program dates.

Scholars who have been marked subject to 212(e), the two-year home residency requirement, are not eligible for a change of status inside the United States and cannot apply for an H visa, L visa, or Permanent Residency until they have spent two years in their home country following the completion of their J-1 program or have received a waiver of this requirement from the U.S. Department of State or USCIS. Scholars should consult with their VIS Advisor prior to applying for a waiver to discuss the implications on their status.

• Extending your program: Contact your department 4 months prior to the end date on your Form DS-2019. Your department must initiate a "J Extension" request in accessVIS. Please note that you must receive your extended Form DS-2019 prior to the end date of your current DS-2019 to ensure continuation of your legal immigration status and to avoid accruing unlawful presence.
  
  
  
  
• Keep your passport valid: Contact your home country's embassy or consulate should your passport require renewal.

Before any international travel, ensure you will have the necessary travel documents for your return and obtain a travel signature from VIS if needed. 

J-1 Scholars must maintain adequate health insurance for themselves and any dependents in J-2 status throughout their stay in the United States. This insurance must meet the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of State.