Maintaining Your Immigration Status

The DS-2019 maintains your legal status in the U.S. You may only perform research or work within the authorized start and end dates on the form. If you plan on extending your program in the U.S., please consult your hosting department’s administration to initiate an extension request. 

As long as the DS-2019 is current, an expired visa (valid full-page sticker in your passport) does not affect your status. You only need a valid visa to enter the U.S., not to stay. Once you leave the U.S., you will need a valid visa to re-enter.

If your visa expires before you return, you will need to apply for a new visa. Visas can only be obtained at a U.S. embassy or consulate, and only from outside of the U.S.

If you have lost your passport or need to extend your passport, you must contact your country's embassy or consulate. Unlike visas, passports can usually be extended while you are in the U.S. Most countries have consulates in Washington D.C., or New York City. Specific information on this can be found on the website of your country's embassy or consulate.

Learn about the requirements for health insurance on the CGPS Healthcare & Insurance webpage.

All nonimmigrant visa holders are required to carry their "evidence of registration" documents with them at all times. Please ensure that you print a copy of your I-94 as evidence and carry it with you. J visa holders should also carry a copy of their DS-2019. Learn more. 

If traveling internationally during your program, J visa holders will require a travel endorsement on their DS-2019 for re-entry. To request a travel signature, log in to the TDS portal and submit a request for “Travel Signature” at least two weeks before your planned travel date. Travel signatures are valid for a period up to 1 year or the end date of the DS-2019, whichever is shorter. Dependents must also have a valid travel signature to re-enter the U.S. after travel abroad.

You are required to update your contact information with CGPS within 10 days of any change. To inform CGPS of any changes, please submit an “Update Contact Information” request in your immigration record at our TDS Portal or email oiss@udel.edu with any questions.

Exchange Visitors must contact CGPS before accepting any type of outside employment or short-term consultation, including unpaid activities, as it may affect their legal status. An Exchange Visitor may participate in some outside activities, such as occasional short-term consultations or lectures, provided the following requirements are met:

• are directly related to the objectives of the Exchange Visitor's program,

• are incidental to the primary program, and

• do not delay the completion date of the program.

Before participating in such outside activities, the Exchange Visitor must receive written authorization from CGPS following CGPS’s reporting of the activity in SEVIS. To participate in an outside activity, the Exchange Visitor should submit a “Permission to Consult/Lecture” request at TDS Portal, including an invitation letter from the institution and written permission from his/her supervisor at UD. CGPS will review the request and issue written authorization, provided conditions are met. If wages or other remuneration are received by the Exchange Visitor for such activities, the Exchange Visitor must act as an independent contractor.

If you or your dependents receive any type of public assistance you may violate your J-1 status. U.S. citizens and permanent residents may be eligible for government assistance (e.g., subsidized health insurance, food stamps, welfare, or subsidized child care). As a non-immigrant, you are not eligible to apply for or receive these benefits. If you are having trouble supporting yourself or your family, please contact CGPS and we will be happy to help you look for lawful options.

J Exchange Visitors are permitted to remain in the U.S. for up to 30 days after the end of their program, but no longer. This time is a grace period intended for you to prepare to depart from the U.S. You are not permitted to use this time to perform more work or research.