J-1 Visa Regulations

Listed below are guidelines J-1 international students and scholars should follow to make sure their J-1 visa status remains valid. Although other situations not mentioned here may lead to the loss of status, following these guidelines will help you avoid unnecessary problems. Consult with an OISS advisor if you have questions about your visa status. 

• Keep your passport valid at least 6 months into the future.
• Pursue a full course of study each fall and spring semester, defined as a minimum of 12 credits for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students. You must meet the on-ground requirement. 
  • If for some reason you must reduce your enrollment below full-time or withdraw from your program, you are required to have approval from OISS before doing so.
• Keep your DS-2019 valid at all times and understand your completion date. 
  • Your DS-2019 is only valid as long as you are a continuing, full-time student in your degree program, or on your approved post-completion training. If you graduate early, your DS-2019 will be shortened to the last day of your final semester of enrollment. If you need more time to complete your program, apply for an Extension of the Program BEFORE the current completion date on your DS-2019. 
 
• Keep your local and foreign addresses updated in the ISS portal.  
  • Current students must also keep the local residential address current in Self-Serviceon MyQ. It must be updated within 10 days every time you move. (Students on post-completion employment authorizations will use the ISS Portal to update their address and employment information.) 
 
• Get on-campus employment permission.
  • If you are interested in an on-campus job, you must request work permission in the ISS portal before starting any on-campus employment. Employment on campus is limited to part-time (less than 20 hours per week) during the academic year but can be full-time during vacation periods (winter and summer breaks). 

• Get off-campus employment permission. 
  • If you are eligible for and interested in off-campus employment authorization, you must request Academic Training from your program sponsor before starting any off-campus employment. Be aware of employment authorization application procedures, eligibility, deadlines, and rules for maintaining status during Academic Training.  
• 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.  
 
• Obtain the required amount of health insurance coverage. 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. The Quinnipiac Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) meets these requirements and is required for J-1 exchange students.  
 
• Get a travel endorsement on your DS-2019 for travel out of the United States and reentry. 
  • Before any international travel, review the necessary travel documents and obtain a travel signature from OISS. Travel endorsements are valid for one year during the program of study, but OISS recommends obtaining a new signature every 10 months. 
 
• Request program or school transfer from your sponsor. 
  • If you wish to move from one university to another, you will need permission from your current program sponsor. If you wish to change universities, contact that organization as early as possible to receive authorization and further instructions. 
 
• Discuss a change of major or degree objective with your sponsor. 
  • Any such changes should be discussed fully with your program sponsor before making the change. A change of major or degree objective may violate your J-1 visa status if not approved. 

Current J-1 exchange visitors will access the International Student & Scholars Portal (ISS Portal) to view their immigration record, request updates, and communicate with the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS). 

This online platform will connect with Quinnipiac's Student Information System (SIS) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Student & Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for F-1 and J-1 visas.