J1 Exchange Visitor Update

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J-1 Exchange Visitor Update

• Presented by
• Zach Williams
• Immigration Advisor
• Office of International Services

2
Outline

• Welcome
• Review of previous workshop
• I-901 SEVIS fee
• US-VISIT
• 30 day check-in
• Future J-1 services
• Questions?

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Review

• All J-1s are known as Exchange Visitors
• DS-2019 is the main immigration document that
  establishes J-1 status
• J-1 Status is different from a J-1 Visa
• Status Visitor is allowed to stay in the United
  States
• Visa Visitor is allowed to enter the United
  States
• OIS program fees
• 250 for new and transfer J-1s
• 100 for extensions and corrections

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Timeline review
EV enters on Program Start Date
Dept. notifies Cecilia of early departure (30
days)
Scholar returns home
Apply for J-1 visa at US Embassy
2 weeks
Up to 3 years
Program Participation
at least 4 weeks
30 days
Dept. may request extension if necessary (100)
Apply to Cecilia Melendres for DS-2019 (250)
Dept. notifies Cecilia of delayed arrival
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DS-2019 Application review

• DS-2019 application is now click-able online
• Please complete all fields
• All biographical data
• At least one e-mail address for the J-1
• Include information about previous
  immigration/visits
• Be sure to check yes or no re government funds
  for USC funded Exchange Visitors
• Please include USC departmental contact
  information
• Please secure at least 2 signatures

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DS-2019 Application review cont

• Extension applications
• Be sure to update funding information
• Please include the J-1s current local address
• Minimum funding levels
• J-1 1,500/mo. or 18,000/yr.
• J-2 spouse 7,000/yr.
• J-2 children 3,500/yr./child

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J-1 Visa Application review

• Local U.S. Embassy is the best source of
  information
• Required documents include Visa application,
  DS-2019, proof of funding, ties to home country,
  proof of I-901 SEVIS fee payment
• Dept. of State advises to allow at least 4 weeks
• Direct EVs to OIS website and www.unitedstatesvis
  as.gov
• For Visa Waiting times go to http//travel.state
  .gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php

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Travel review

• Please have DS-2019 signed before leaving U.S.
• Travel endorsements are valid for re-entry up to
  6 months in the future
• Some EVs will be subject to Special Registration
  and must go through extra check IN and OUT
  procedures
• Visas cannot be renewed inside the U.S.

9
Website Tour review

• We have worked very hard to put more in-depth and
  detailed information in the J-1 section of our
  website
• Please let us know how we can make the site more
  useful and user friendly
• Go to www.usc.edu/student-affairs/OIS and click
  on J-1Students and Scholars

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I-901 SEVIS fee

• Background
• What is SEVIS
• Student Exchange Visitor Information System
• Who has been paying for SEVIS?
• How much is the SEVIS fee?
• 100
• When did the SEVIS fee become effective
• September 1, 2004
• What is the purpose of the SEVIS fee?
• Administer and maintain the SEVIS database
• Support compliance activities
• Establish liaison personnel to serve schools and
  students

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I-901 SEVIS fee pg. 2

• Who is required to pay the SEVIS fee?
• All new J-1 students and scholars
• All those applying for a Change of Status to J-1
  or a Change of Category within the J-1 visa
• Some J-1s who are out of status and will apply
  for reinstatement or re-enter the country
• J-1 transfers who are coming from a fee exempt
  institution (government sponsor)

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I-901 SEVIS fee pg. 3

• Who is not required to pay the SEVIS fee?
• Continuing J-1 students and scholars
• J-2 dependents
• Those reapplying after being denied visa/entry
  (within 12 months of denial)
• J-1 applying for an extension of stay
• J-1s transferring from a SEVIS fee institution
• J-1s out of status for minor or technical
  infractions
• Those filing a motion to reopen a denied change
  of status application

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I-901 SEVIS fee pg. 4

• When must the fee be paid?
• Before a visa can be issued
• Before some immigration benefits can be approved
• How is the fee paid?
• File form I-901
• Online using a major credit card (www.FMJfee.com)
• By mail using check or credit card
• Via Western Union Quick Pay service
• At the U.S. consulate abroad (currently China
  India only)
• More information can be found on the OIS website
• http//www.usc.edu/student-affairs/OIS/sevisfee.ht
  ml

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Fee Review

• OIS Program Fee 100-250 payable to OIS at time
  of DS-2019 request
• I-901 SEVIS Fee 100 payable to Department of
  Homeland Security before visa application
• Visa Application Fee varies by embassy
  (approximately 150) payable to Department of
  State at time visa application is made

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US-VISIT

• What is US-VISIT?
• United States Visitor and Immigrant Status
  Indicator Technology
• Electronic system used to track the entry and
  exit of non-immigrants visiting the U.S.
• Why do we have US-VISIT?
• Homeland Security Act of 2002 mandated an
  automated entry/exit system
• Goals of US-VISIT
• Enhance the security of our citizens and visitors
• Facilitate legitimate travel and trade
• Ensure the integrity of our immigration system
• Protect the privacy of our visitors

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US-VISIT pg. 2

• Who must go through US-VISIT?
• All non-immigrants entering the U.S. by air or
  seaport, including visitors on visa waiver
• This will expand to include the 50 busiest land
  border crossings beginning December 31, 2004, and
  all remaining land border crossings by December
  31, 2005.
• Exit registration is currently being tested at 15
  locations around the country. In California San
  Pedro and Long Beach Seaports and San Francisco
  International Airport
• If a J-1 leaves via one of these ports, he/she
  must check-out
• Eventually exit registration will apply to all
  non-immigrants at all ports of exit.

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US-VISIT pg. 3

• How does US-VISIT work?
• Fingerprints are taken of each index finger using
  a digital inkless scanner
• A digital photograph is taken
• U.S. officials review travel documents and ask
  questions about visitors stay
• The biometric process should take as little as 15
  seconds
• Entry Instructions
• Exit Instructions
• More information can be found on the US-VISIT
  homepage http//www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/ed
  itorial/editorial_0435.xml

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30 Day Check-in

• All J-1s must be validated within 30 days of
  the Program Start Date listed on the DS-2019
• If they have not yet entered the U.S. we must
  amend program or the DS-2019 will be cancelled
• OIS still has corrections pending with the
  government from Jan. and Feb. 04 for J-1s who
  failed to check in on time
• Late check-in will cause delays and complications
  with Social Security, payroll, travel, and
  immigration benefits. It may lead to
  reinstatement.

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30 Day Check-in pg. 2

• OIS has hired a new J-1 student worker, Nathalia,
  to help maintain the alert list of J-1s faillng
  to check in.
• Please e-mail cmelendr_at_usc.edu or
  zmwillia_at_usc.edu if your scholar or student will
  not arrive within 10 days of the Program Start
  Date
• Please call [phone] to schedule a J-1
  orientation with Cecilia Melendres
• J-1s need to bring the (orange) J-1 Permanent
  Record form as well as copies of Passport, Visa,
  I-94 card (both sides), and stamped DS-2019.

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Future J-1 Services

• 250 fee is a program fee, not a document fee
• We are very committed to providing more services
  as a result of the fee increase
• So far
• Processing time decreased 1 week
• Student worker hired to maintain processing time
  and assist with alert list
• DS-2019 request made click-able
• Website is being maintained and updated

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Future J-1 Services pg. 2

• Some ideas for future services
• Listserve or E-newsletter for faculty/staff
• Bi-monthly J-1 orientation sessions
• Welcome reception for newly arrived scholars
  (2x/year)
• What services would you like to see?

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Questions?
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• Thank you for coming to todays workshop
• Please take a moment to give us your feedback
• We look forward to working with you in the future