J-1 Exchange Visitor Frequently Asked Questions

The ISSS Office's ARO or RO will sign your documents. You will also list their contact information on the DS-160 when you go to request a visa interview at the Consulate.

Our ISSS Office will send a replacement. Please contact us as soon as possible.

If you are not in the U.S. when your program is cancelled, your status will change to “invalid”. If you are in the U.S. when the program is cancelled, if you do not show to Texas State University's campus, your status will change from “initial” to “no show”.

The Change of Status (COS) process only changes your status, for example, the classification indicated on your I-94 record and not the visa stamp in your passport.

To receive the J-1 visa stamp in your passport, you can either:

1. Apply for a change of status in the US using the Form I-539 (and Form I-539A if you have dependents), then once approved, travel outside of the US and apply for an F-1 visa at a US consulate in your home country to be able to return to the US as an F-1 student.

• Important Update for in country change of status: Every co-applicant included on the primary applicant’s Form I-539 must submit and sign a separate Form I-539A. Parents 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 nonimmigrants as noted in the new Form I-539 Instructions. 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 revised Form I-539 that is missing any of the required signatures or biometrics fees, including those required for Form I-539A.

2. Obtain a Form I-20 from International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and return to your home country to apply for an F-1 visa at a US consulate to reenter the US as an F-1 student. Review Steps After Being Admitted and complete Step 1 to request an I-20 to apply for an F-1 visa outside the US.

Eligibility for change of status to J-1

Aliens holding nonimmigrant status C, D, K, WB or WT (transit, crewman, fiancée or fiancé, waiver business, or waiver tourist) are not eligible for change to any other status within the U.S., including J-1. A J-2 who is subject to the 212(e) home residence requirement may not change from J-2 to J-1 status in the United States. Aliens who are in good standing in any other nonimmigrant classification may apply to change to any other nonimmigrant status for which they qualify.

Yes, you are required to have medical insurance and must provide proof of coverage. The health insurance documents must state name(s), effective date, and the amount of insurance coverage provided. Please note that J-1 Scholars insurance, nor dependents, have to be Affordable Care Act (ACA) Compliant per the Code of Federal Regulations.

You are able to:

1. Select your own insurance that meets the below minimum requirements.
2. Utilize one of our partner's insurance plans (TIEC) that do meet the below requirements. You may review TIEC's insurance plans by reviewing their informative flyer.
3. Your offer letter from the TXST sponsor lists that you are going to utilize TXST's insurance plan. Please contact your sponsor at TXST to confirm whether health insurance is included in your offer from the university. If it is, Human Resources at TXST will assist you with your enrollment and coverage.

The insurance you purchase must meet the following minimum requirements:

Minimum Coverage Requirements:

• Major Medical Coverage: Minimum of $100,000
• Medical Evacuation: Minimum of $50,000
• Repatriation of Remains: Minimum of $25,000
• Maximum Deductible per Accident/Illness: No more than $500
  • Every J-1 Exchange Visitor is required to purchase repatriation of remains and medical evacuation insurance. These components are mandatory and cannot be separated from the overall coverage.

This is an important requirement of the exchange program, as failure to obtain and maintain health insurance is grounds for early termination of the exchange program.

Exchange visitors are required to report to ISSS within ten calendar days any changes to the following:

• telephone number,
• email address,
• actual and current U.S. address (i.e., physical residence),
• and site of activity (if the exchange visitor is permitted to make such change without prior sponsor authorization).

Email ISSS Scholars (internationalscholars@txstate.edu) with updates.

Schedule an appointment with the Social Security Administration (SSA). Once scheduled, you may utilize the free San Marcos local bus transportation. Please take Route 1 and ask the bus driver to inform you when they will have the closest stop to “Bugg Lane/Social Security Office”.

Bring the following documents:

• Form SS5, Application for a Social Security Card;
• Valid Passport
• Valid J-1 Visa
• Most Recent Form I-94
• Signed Form DS-2019
• Recommended but not required - Invitation (Sponsor) Letter from the academic department (J-1 professor, research or short-term scholar)
• Sponsor Letter (Degree-seeking and non-degree J-1 students only). Required information on sponsor letter for a J1 The sponsor's letter authorizing employment must:
  • Be written on the sponsoring organization's letterhead;
  • Show a recent date within the current program start and end dates shown on Item 3 of the DS-2019;
  • Show the name of the J-1 exchange visitor “Student”, “Student Intern”, or “International Visitor”;
  • Indicate the J-1 has been authorized to work. The sponsor letter for a J-1 does not need to show a description of the actual work being performed; and
  • Include an original signature of the Responsible Officer for the exchange visitor program and his or her title.

For more information on required documents visit the SSA J-1 Evidence of Employment and J-1 Evidence of Immigration Status websites.

A change of the exchange visitor’s visa status requires a direct appeal to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Once the request is submitted, the exchange visitor cannot extend their program and may also face other restrictions until their request is resolved. 

An ARO or RO in the ISSS Office must sign your DS-2019 which will allow you to travel outside of the U.S. and return. You will need to email internationalscholars@txstate.edu with anticipated departure and return dates as well as the purpose of the travel.

J-2 dependents cannot stay in the U.S. while the J-1 holder is absent for longer than 30 days.

1. You will needt o email the Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation
   1. Provide proof of the change, such as a Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. passport.

You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date on your DS-2019. Please contact the ISSS Office if you will be entering the country more than 15 days after your program start date so your program dates can be deferred (as long as the TXST sponsor approves).

Yes, you must meet with the ISSS Office when you arrive into the U.S. for mandatory orientation. The ISSS Office will collect the documentation required to validate your program in SEVIS; including proof of health insurance. Validation must occur within 30 days of the start date on your DS-2019 or your DS-2019 may be terminated.

You are unable to engagement in unauthorized employment. Please contact the ISSS Office before accepting any offers made outside of your program.

You have a 30-day grace period to leave the U.S. after your DS-2019 program end date. If you leave during the grace period, you may not re-enter the U.S. on your J-1 visa.

Please note that the Fulbright program will prepare and send you the DS-2019 documents themselves. The International Affairs Office will not process these documents for this program. Should you have any questions regarding your documentation, please contact your Fulbright representative.