Pre-Arrival, Orientation, & Check-in for J-1 Scholars

Passport

During your time in the United States, it is your responsibility to ensure that your passport remains valid. An advisor will confirm the validity of your passport before approving any extension of your program or validating your DS-2019 for travel. If you need to renew or replace your passport while in the U.S., it is highly recommended that you allocate sufficient time to do so before your current passport expires. For more information on the process of renewing or replacing your passport, please contact your Embassy or Consulate in the U.S

• Please visit http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/fco/ to find your country’s consulates or http://www.state.gov/s/cpr/rls/dpl/32122.htm to find your country’s Embassy or representative.

J Scholar Visa

The document placed in your passport by the U.S. Consulate when you submitted the "Form DS-2019" is called a visa. This visa is only used for entry into the United States and does not grant permission to remain in the U.S. It is not required to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the U.S. If you wish to apply for an extension of stay, the validity of the visa stamp is not a determining factor. However, if you plan to travel outside the U.S. and return to J status, your visa stamp must be valid.

If you need to obtain a new J visa, it is recommended that you review the visa application information on the U.S. Consulate's website in the city where you will be applying. This will ensure that you allow sufficient time, complete the correct forms, and follow all necessary steps.

Please see http://usembassy.state.gov/ for more information.

J Scholar I-901 Receipt

Kindly retain this receipt as a component of your immigration documentation and record. J scholars are only required to pay this fee once during their participation in the same program. Therefore, it may be necessary to present this receipt as evidence of payment when applying for a J visa in the future. It is worth noting that certain government-sponsored scholars are exempted from paying this fee.

Form I-94

Regarding Form I-94 for J Scholars: U.S. Customs and Border Protection records your arrival and departure when you enter and leave the United States. Since May 2013, this information is collected and maintained electronically. Upon entry, a stamp is placed on your passport as proof of legal entry into the U.S. The stamp contains important information such as the port of entry, entry date, admitted status (J-1), and status end date (such as D/S, meaning "Duration of Status"). It is essential to ensure that the stamp contains accurate information. For dependents, the stamp should be endorsed as “Class: J-2” and “Until: D/S.” In case the entry stamp in your passport or that of your dependents is not properly endorsed, please schedule an appointment with an International Services Specialist immediately.

To keep a record of your electronic I-94, please visit the CBP website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ and print a paper copy to include with your other immigration documents. Also, please provide a copy of the updated I-94 to ISSS each time you travel outside the U.S. and re-enter.

Form DS-2019

The DS-2019 is an official form used by the United States government to keep a record of the exchange of a J-1 scholar or researcher. This form is also referred to as the "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status." A program sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State issues the DS-2019 form, which contains important program details for the scholar, including their visit's purpose and duration, funding information, and sponsor details. To obtain a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas and to enter and maintain legal status in the U.S. as a J-1 exchange visitor, the J-1 scholar requires the DS-2019.

The DS-2019 is a crucial document for the "J" Exchange Visitor Program. The consular officer who issued your visa should have completed the Preliminary Endorsement section of the form. For Canadian citizens, this should have been done at the Port of Entry into the United States. Please note that you are only permitted to engage in activities authorized under the program and category specified on your Form DS-2019.

To work at the University of Colorado, you need to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN). The SSN is a unique number used for tax and retirement purposes by all workers in the United States. It is recommended that you wait 10-15 days after arriving in the U.S. before applying for an SSN to allow for the verification of your immigration information. Once you apply, it takes 2-3 additional weeks to receive your SSN. This means that it could take up to a month to get an SSN.

It is advisable to bring enough money with you to cover your living expenses for the first month or so. Living expenses are estimated at about $2,500/month for the scholar and an additional $600/month for each dependent. When applying for an SSN, you will need to present your passport, immigration documents, and offer letter. You will also need to have another form of photo identification (other than your passport).

If you are not a University of Colorado employee, you may not be eligible for an SSN. Spouses and children of J-1 scholars who are in J-2 status cannot apply for an SSN unless they have employment authorization from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. To find Social Security Administration addresses, please visit https://secure.ssa.gov/ICON/main.jsp.

Colorado Identification Or Driver's License

Two types of documents are issued by the State of Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles. The Colorado ID card is a photo identification document, whereas the driver's license provides the same identity information and allows individuals to operate motor vehicles in Colorado and the United States. If you do not plan to drive in the US, a Colorado ID card will suffice. However, if you will be driving and staying in the US for more than a few months, obtaining a Colorado driver's license is recommended. To obtain either document, you must demonstrate legal permission to remain in the US for at least six months beyond the date of application and show proof of residency in Colorado. To obtain a Colorado driver's license, you must also demonstrate the ability to operate a motor vehicle. Canadian, French, and German citizens may be exempt from the road and written tests but must surrender their home country license.

To apply for a Colorado ID card or driver's license, you must visit a Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles full-service office. You will need to bring several documents, including a valid passport with a printout of your I-94 record, all DS-2019 forms, your original J-1 invitation letter or offer letter, and a letter from your department confirming your employment or visit to the University. The DMV office will also check your legal status in the USCIS S.A.V.E. database, and in some cases, you may need to visit the main DMV office with your original documents and copies for investigators to confirm your status. Once issued, your driver's license will be valid until the expiration date on your DS-2019 or the expiration of your grace period, whichever comes first.