Scholars
Travel and Change of Status
General Travel Information
J scholars may travel outside the US for periods not to extend 30 days. Scholars who plan to apply for a visa stamp or experience emergency situations should discuss their travel plans with OIS during advising hours.
The scholar and dependents will need the following for re-entry into the US:
- A valid passport
- A valid J-1 visa (unless from Canada or Bermuda)
- A travel signature from International Services obtained by submitting the . Documents will be signed within 5 days.鈥
- Proof of financial support as indicated on the DS-2019
- Dependents: Dependent J-2 spouse and children must have their own DS-2019 and follow the same procedure as the exchange visitor for re-entry.
Port of Entry Search of Electronic Devices -
AILA Electronic Device Searches recommendations -
Travel Outside the US for 30 Days or More
J scholars in the Research Scholar or Professor category who will be participating
in their exchange program at a foreign institution during an absence outside the US
of 30 days or more must request 鈥淥ut-of-Country鈥 approval prior to leaving the US.
This option is not available for scholars who need to exit the US for other purposes
and plan to continue their research from home.
To request 鈥淥ut-of-Country鈥 Approval, the scholar must submit the鈥 in iStart and include the following:
- Expected date of departure from US
- Expected date of return to US
- Name of foreign institution in which the scholar will continue to pursue the program activity while outside the US.
- Foreign institution full address
- An explanation of how the scholar will be an active participant in USF鈥檚 J Exchange Visitor Program and will be pursuing the original program objective/activity outside the US.
After the Travel Signature Request E-Form is submitted the scholar's department will
be asked to confirm that the scholar will be an active participant in USF鈥檚 J Exchange
Visitor Program.
If the 鈥淥ut-of-Country鈥 is approved, International Services will create a SEVIS 鈥淥ut-of-Country鈥
and sign the DS-2019 for travel. Upon return to the US, the scholar should report
to International Services.
Non-USF Sponsored Exchange Visitors
J scholars and visitors with a non-USF DS-2019 should contact their sponsoring agency for travel signatures on the DS-2019.
Obtaining a New J-1 Visa
New visa stamps are issued at a US Embassy or Consulate outside the US. J scholars will need a valid passport, signed DS-2019, evidence of financial support, and a letter from their department detailing their research for the visa application. Scholars should contact the US Embassy or Consulate directly for additional requirements since the procedures and protocols may vary from Consulate to Consulate. Visit the for a current list of all US Embassies and Consulates.
Automatic Revalidation
Some exchange visitors travelling to Canada, Mexico, and Caribbean countries excluding Cuba for fewer than 30 days may be eligible for automatic revalidation of their expired J-1 visas.