J-1

The dependents of J-1 Exchange Visitors are referred to as J-2 dependents.  Only the spouse and unmarried minor children (under 21 years of age) are eligible for J-2 status. 

J-1 Exchange Visitors can request a J-2 dependent DS-2019 at the same time that their DS-2019 is prepared or if they initially come alone but later want their dependents to join them, they will need to submit a request in iCAT by adding a new scholar dependent e-form. 

The minimum annual funding requirement for a J-1 at UK is $22,000; to add a spouse an additional $6,800; and to add a child an additional $4,700 per child.  If additional funding is required and funding is not through UK, it's necessary to upload a copy of an official bank statement or other funding source documentation in iCAT. 

If a J-2 spouse DS-2019 is being requested, a copy of the official marriage certificate should be uploaded with an English translation if necessary.  For each accompanying J-2 dependent, a copy of the passport bio page should also be uploaded in iCAT. 

A J-2 DS-2019 is issued for dependents and each family member will have his or her own SEVIS ID number as noted on his or her DS-2019. 

If you would like to add a J-2 dependent, submit the Add a New Scholar Dependent (SEVIS Document) e-form in iCAT under J-1 Scholar Services. Multiple submissions are permitted to add each new dependent if more than one.

J-2 dependents are eligible to work while in the US and can apply for employment authorization by completing form I-765 from USCIS.  Once approved, the J-2 will receive an Employment Authorization Document also known as the EAD card.  The J-2 may begin employment only after receiving the EAD and applying for a social security number. 

The I-765 application form can be found at www.uscis.gov in the "Forms" area. Further instructions are available under J-2 Employment Instructions, click here.

All J-1 Exchange Visitors have a SEVIS record and number. Scholars planning to transfer to the University of Kentucky must notify their current J-1 Advisor of their plans to transfer to UK. Their Advisor will then release their SEVIS record to UK so that a new DS-2019 can be issued once the J-1 scholar has met with the new J-1 Advisor at UK. Only scholars who have maintained legal J-1 status are eligible to transfer. 

Transferring from UK to Another University

You must complete the Transfer Out e-form found under the J-1 Scholar Services tab in iCAT. UK will retain control over your scholar records in SEVIS until the "transfer out" date is reached. The transfer may be canceled at any time prior to the transfer out date, but it cannot be canceled after the transfer out date has been reached

Traveling and Re-entering the U.S.

Change of status by traveling requires you to depart the U.S. and apply for a J visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy.   When you re-enter the U.S. with your new visa and DS-2019, you will gain your new J status.  

Before your visa appointment, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

Change of Status in the U.S.

Changing status inside the US requires an application through USCIS. Processing of the change of status application through the USCIS can be lengthy and the process cannot be expedited.  You can check current processing times on the USCIS website.  However, you may stay in the U.S. to await the results if you maintain your current, or other, nonimmigrant status while the application is pending. This may require you to file a bridge application. For more information about this process, see the USCIS special instructions. If changing status inside the US, we recommend consulting with an immigration attorney about requirements for filing.

A few weeks after you mail your application to change status, you can expect to receive a “Notice of Action” document (acknowledgment of receipt).  With the receipt number, you can track your “case status” at  www.uscis.gov. 

Please note that visa stamps are not issued for a change of status application.  If you wish to travel abroad after your status has been changed, you will need to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate to return to the U.S. 

Application and supporting documents should be sent to USCIS. These documents will include but are not limited to:

• Form I-539 
• Form I-539A* (https://www.uscis.gov/i-539)
• Pay the SEVIS Fee and print receipt 
• Prepare filing fee: Check/Money Order made payable to ‘U.S. Department of Homeland Security' 
• See I-539 instructions for required supporting documents

* The revised Form I-539 includes the following significant changes: 

• Every co-applicant included on the primary applicant's Form I-539 must submit and sign a separate Form I-539A, which will be available on the Form I-539 webpage on March 11. Parents or guardians may sign on behalf of children under 14 or any co-applicant who is not mentally competent to sign.
• Every applicant and co-applicant must pay an $85 biometric services fee, except certain A, G, and NATO non-immigrants as noted in the new Form I-539 Instructions to be published on March 11.
• Every applicant and co-applicant will receive a biometric services appointment notice, regardless of age, containing their individual receipt number. The biometric services appointments will be scheduled at the Application Support Center (ASC) closest to the primary applicant's address. Co-applicants who wish to be scheduled at a different ASC location should file a separate Form I-539.

USCIS will reject any Form I-539 that is missing any of the required signatures or biometrics fees, including those required for Form I-539A.

For more information about health insurance for J-1 and dependents, please click here.

J-1's are eligible to apply for a permanent social security number whether funded by UK or not.  Once you have completed your check-in through iCAT, your record will be reviewed and validated by your J-1 Advisor.  At that point, you will receive a confirmation email with details regarding the social security number and the earliest date that you can apply.  That date reflects the required 10 day waiting period required by The Social Security Administration.  Failure to wait 10 days can result in delays to obtain your social security card. 

Please be sure that your name is visible on the mailbox for delivery.  It is also strongly recommend that you do not move to a new apartment or home after applying for the social security number since social security cards are not forwarded to a new address.  The card will ultimately be returned to the social security office which will cause delays in you receiving it.   

The wait time to receive a social security card varies from a few weeks to a few months. 

Materials Needed

• Passport

• DS-2019

• Printed I-94 to apply for the social security number.

• If you are a Student Intern, you will also require a letter from my office verifying your status. E-mail marc.invergo@uky.edu several days prior to your planned visit.

Below you will find further information on how to get to the Social Security Administration office.

Address: 

Social Security Administration 

Suite 110 

2241 Buena Vista Rd. 

Lexington, Kentucky 40505   

Phone: 1-866-530-7754 

Directions by bus: 

You can take the city bus by going to the LEXTRAN Transit Center on 220 Vine Street in downtown Lexington.  Take Bus Route #10.  Ask the driver to let you off at the Social Security Office.  It is an approximate 10 to 15 minute bus ride from the Transit Center to the Social Security Office on Executive Drive.  The driver will turn left onto Executive Drive.  You can either get off at 2260 Executive Drive or at the intersection of Buena Vista Rd. and Thunderstick Dr. The Social Security Office is a short walk away from the bus stop. 

For the return trip, go to the bus stop at 2260 Executive Drive.  There is a blue sign with a white bus to help mark the bus pick-up location. Please visit www.lextran.com for more information regarding route times and cost. 

You will need the following documents to present to the Social Security officer:  Passport, DS-2019 and I-94 card

Non-US citizens can drive up to one-year on their foreign country license as long as that country is a part of the Geneva Compact. To find out if your home country is part of the Geneva Compact, please visit DriveKY.org 

The one-year date comes from the entry date stamped on their immigration document such as the I-94. 

If from a country that is not recognized by the Geneva Compact the non-US citizen cannot drive on their foreign license.  

Scholars will attend appointments at the Fayette County Clerk.  The address is:  

141 Leestown Center Way, Ste. 115 

Lexington, KY 40511 

Phone: 859-963-4018 

To schedule an appointment (there are currently no walk-ins) to obtain a new Kentucky Driver’s License or Permit or to renew an existing license, click here.

The following information is required at the time of application:   

• Visa, Passport, I-94 
• Form TC 94-159 (Non - U.S. Citizen Driver Licensing & Personal Identification Application)  completed by J-1 Scholar Advisor, Marc Invergo
• Proof of Address within the last 60 days 
• DS-2019 
• Social Security card, Tax ID number or an Ineligibility letter from the Social Security Administration 
• Fees are subject to change. It is recommended to bring at least $60 in cash.

KRS 186.412 requires all non U.S. citizens wishing to apply for a Kentucky driver's license or ID card to make application to a Division of Driver Licensing Regio​nal Office.  For more information about the rules for obtaining a Kentucky Driver’s License, please go to: http://transportation.ky.gov/driver-licensing/pages/non-us-citizens.aspx 

NOTE: Non-immigrants are not allowed to register to vote. Please check "NO" when asked in your application.

Global Lex has provided a Driver’s Education for English Learners series on YouTube in French, Arabic and Swahili. Students, Scholars, or dependents who need additional help preparing for the written exam may find these helpful.

For more information about filing taxes, please click here.

The most important thing to remember is that on-campus housing is not automatically reserved for visiting scholars.  The University of Kentucky cannot guarantee on-campus housing as it depends on availability but an early application can help you secure on-campus housing. 

Housing is generally not available to scholars in the month of August and September due to the volume of newly enrolled international students. Visiting scholars should check with their department or college sponsor to see if on-campus housing is available.

For more information about on-campus graduate and family housing, click here.

Other resources for off-campus housing can be found here. For more resources regarding specialty apartments, click here.

Adult ESL classes that allow students to practice conversation and pronunciation.  Participants will learn vocabulary, phrases and American slang.  Join a class at any time.  These classes are available to the University’s J-1 scholars, J-2 dependents, and H-4 spouses. Classes are free. 

For more information about the class and the current schedule, contact Marc Invergo, J-1 Scholar Advisor (marc.invergo@uky.edu).

Existing federal law requires nonimmigrants, and lawful permanent residents must carry their evidence of registration document at all times. An I-94 printout with your most recent travel history is evidence of registration. Each time you enter the U.S., you will be able to access your I-94 admission record online here. It is also recommended that you carry your DS-2019.

If flying domestically or traveling in or around borders it is also recommended to carry your passport or other Real ID. Entering some federal buildings and facilities may also require an identification document.

A resource guide to the law and regulations can be found here.

Individuals who have an electronic Form I-94 who lose their print-out may simply access https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home to print out a new one.

A resource guide to the law and regulations can be here.

J-1 Exchange Visitors must report a local address within 10 days of your move-in order to comply with immigration regulations. This is the street address where you are residing; box numbers cannot be used. Please be sure to include your apartment number. A resource guide to the law and regulations can be found here.

Report your address by submitting a request to ISSS in icat.uky.edu.

When traveling in the U.S., it’s best to carry your immigration documents with you at all times, especially if you are traveling near border areas (e.g.Mexico and Canada). Airport officials, police officers or customs and border patrol officials may ask for documentation to verify your identity when traveling inside the U.S.

If you are traveling by cruise ship, some ports of call may require visas to enter or have other requirements. Therefore, you should verify the regulations and rules of each location by contacting the cruise line or review the Countries and Areas List - United States Department of State of that country. Traveling to Contiguous Territories, such as Canada or Mexico, and Some Adjacent Islands Citizens of other counties traveling to a contiguous territory, such as Canada, Mexico and some adjacent islands, for 30 days or less may not need to renew the visa before returning. Some exclusions may apply to citizens of certain countries.  It’s always best to check with ISSS before making any travel plans to contiguous territories. 

Travel endorsements are valid for one year from the date last signed. A travel signature is obtained by submitting a request to ISSS in icat.uky.edu. Processing time is up to five business days if you require a travel signature on your DS-2019.

Exchange Visitors are advised to carry these documents with them for travel purposes:

· Financial verification (bank statement, letter awarding assistantship, etc.)

· PASSPORT valid for a minimum of 6 months into the future on the date you return to the United States

· DS-2019 with the endorsement signature (valid for one year during enrollment in the academic program)

Dependents in J-2 status must have their own DS-2019 endorsed in order to re-enter the US after travel abroad.

If you are questioned at the Port of Entry (POE), answer questions truthfully. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have the authority to inspect your belongings, including your electronic devices. More information can be found here.

Check with the embassy or consulate in that country before traveling. Some countries outside of the U.S. may require a visa and this is dependent upon your citizenship and location of travel. Countries and Areas List - United States Department of State

Be sure to check if your visa is still valid. If it expires prior to re-entry, you will have to apply at a US Embassy or Consulate to have it renewed before returning to the United States. You should make an appointment with the US Embassy or Consulate before you leave the US. You can check the Department of State's website for the current visa wait time at the location where you plan to apply for the renewal. Due to security checks, the visa process may be delayed. Each embassy and consulate may have slightly different requirements for what additional evidence they require you to present at the time of the interview. For example, some require you to present official transcripts, but others do not. So be sure to check the website of the Embassy or Consulate where you will be interviewing for specific requirements. Use https://www.usembassy.gov/  to find the website for your closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Follow the instructions you find there to book your appointment and apply for your new visa.

Exception: Canadian citizens do not require a US visa. Also, citizens of other countries traveling to a contiguous territory, such as Canada or Mexico, for 30 days or less may not need to renew the visa before returning. See this website for more information on automatic revalidation: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/visa-expiration-date/auto-revalidate.html.

Remember that if you travel outside the U.S. after you have changed your visa status to J-1 in the US, you will have to apply for the appropriate visa stamp at a US Embassy or Consulate before returning to the United States.

CANADIAN LANDED IMMIGRANTS: Permanent Lawful Residents of the Commonwealth and Ireland (Landed Immigrants) Residing in Canada seeking to enter the United States as non-immigrants must possess a valid passport and non-immigrant visa. There are some exceptions. For more information see:  https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/citizens-of-canada-and-bermuda.html.

This category is intended for individuals who come primarily to conduct research, teach or lecture (i.e. postdoctoral scholars/fellows, visiting scholars, and other non-permanent positions, etc.). Under most circumstances, the category allows for a maximum stay of 5 years. 

There is a 24-month bar on repeat participation.  This means that when the program is completed, the scholar cannot return to the U.S. as J-1 Research Scholars or Professors for a period of two years.  Scholars may return in another visa status or another J-1 category such as the Short-Term Scholar if the department wishes to continue sponsorship. For departmental instructions, see Instructions to Invite a J-1 scholar.

This is intended for individuals who will remain at UK for a maximum duration of six months to conduct research, to teach, or observe. Extensions cannot be granted beyond the six month period of stay. The Short-Term Scholar is not subject to the 24 month bar on repeat participation. For departmental instructions, click here.

This is an expert in the field of a specialized knowledge or skill who enters the U.S. for the purpose of observing, consulting, or demonstrating his or her expertise (i.e. artist, athlete, visiting coach). The duration of this category is one year with no possibility for extensions. Repeat participation is permissible.  For departmental instructions, click here.

Student Intern program participants come to the United States to pursue a structured and guided work-based internship program in their specific academic field. Prior work experience is not required.  For departmental instructions, click here. The below guides are also available for viewing when completing the appropriate iCAT request.

J-1 Student Intern DS-7002 Part 1 Guide (For Department Administrator).pdf

J-1 Student Intern DS-7002 Part 2 Guide (For Supervisor-2nd Approver).pdf

This category is limited to 24 months and is intended for visitors to UK's campus who are pursuing a course of study in a non-degree program or who are current students in their home country and are coming to UK to conduct research, teach, or observe.

EVs who are students in their home country must complete the J-1 Non-Degree & Home University Attestation Form and all departments must submit the Full Course of Study Form on the EV’s behalf.