Maintaining Lawful J-1 Status
J-1 Status Overview
Pace University is required by U.S. law to maintain accurate and up-to-date records regarding the enrollment status, address, employment authorizations and other information for each international student in J-1 status. This information is reported via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to the Department of State. Every J-1 student and their dependent(s) have a SEVIS record, from which the form DS-2019 is created. It is crucial that all information contained in the SEVIS record and printed on the DS-2019 is accurate at all times. ISS staff members have the authority to verify, sign and process immigration documents for Pace University and its international students. ISS staff members are responsible for advising and assisting international students to properly maintain their J-1 status.
The ISS provides information to students which assists them in maintaining their status. Ultimately, students are responsible for their status - a student's eligibility to remain in the U.S. is contingent upon knowledge of and compliance with immigration laws.
There are several requirements for maintaining your legal status. It is your responsibility to be aware of these requirements to ensure you are in compliance.
Four Most Important Rules to Maintain Legal J-1 Status
The following are the most important requirements every J-1 student must follow in order to maintain legal status while in the U.S. Failure to comply with these requirements may have severe consequences for your ability to study, seek employment, or remain in the U.S. legally.
1. Full-time enrollment*
- Undergraduate Students: full-time enrollment is a minimum of 12 credits during the fall and spring semesters.
- Graduate Students: full time is a minimum of 9 credits during the fall and spring semesters.
Any change of enrollment status should be reported within 10 days to the ISS.
On-line classes: Immigration regulations stipulate that only one online class may count towards full time course load in any fall or spring semester. Failure to comply with this regulation may have extremely severe consequences including losing your legal J-1 status.
2. Employment Authorization
Never start working before obtaining authorization from ISS. Prior to the start date of off-campus employment/internship, your SEVIS record must be annotated for such and a new DS-2019 will be processed for employment.
If you are planning to work, get more information on employment eligibility and application procedures.
3. Valid Immigration Documents
Keep the following immigration documents valid (unexpired) at all times:
- Passport must be valid at least 6 months into the future
- I-94 arrival/departure record should be annotated with D/S (Duration of Status).
- Unexpired DS-2019
- Valid J-1 visa stamp if you plan to travel outside of the U.S. Your visa may be expired while remaining in the U.S., but has no effect on your legal stay, as long as you maintain status.
4. Maintain Valid Health Insurance
All students (regardless of visa status/citizenship) are required to carry adequate health insurance during the full duration of their program at Pace University. J-1 Exchange Visitors are further required by U.S. Department of State regulations to carry insurance during their stay in the U.S.
Exchange students are automatically enrolled in Pace’s health insurance. Students wishing to waive out of Pace’s health insurance must provide proof of comparable health insurance coverage that meets the University waiver requirements. Please visit the Health Insurance Waiver page for information about the waiver process.
Admission for Duration of Status
You have been admitted to the United States as a J-1 student for “duration of status,” noted as “D/S” on both your I- 94 arrival record and passport. “Duration of Status” means you may remain in the U.S. for the period in which you are pursuing a full course of study. If you are a full time student and properly maintain your J-1 status, it does not matter if your visa expires while you are in the United States.
I-94 Arrival/departure record
I-94 Arrival/departure record - is your Admission Number, your immigration status, your date of entry, and the length of time that your status is valid. A notation of “D/S” means that your J-1 is valid for “duration of status” or the time it will take to complete your “program of study” as a J-1 exchange visiting student, as listed on your DS-2019. It is important to keep this record all the time for obtaining any future immigration benefits including a Social Security Card, Driver’s License or State ID, travel signature, or employment authorization. Read more about I-94 record.
Obtaining I-94 (arrival/departure record)
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) creates electronic I-94 records at all airports and seaports. You must access your I-94 record after entering the United States. Once you accessed the record, review all information and ensure that it is correct. Print out your I-94 record and keep it with your other immigration documents. You will include your I-94 record as part of the mandatory online check-in. The electronic I-94 record will continue to be available to you while you remain in the United States. Once you depart the United States, your electronic I-94 record will no longer be available for you to view. Each time you re-enter the Unites States, a new electronic I-94 will be created.
If you are unable to access your I-94 record or if any of the information is incorrect, please email mbenitez@pace.edu.
Mandatory New J-1 International Student Check-in
You are required by the U.S. Immigration law to check-in with the University International Students and Scholars Office (ISS) for activating your SEVIS record. Please complete the check-in as soon as you arrived. Remember: You are reporting your arrival to the U.S. and submitting your arrival record. Therefore, the check-in can be done ONLY after your arrival, never before.
In order to check in online, once you have arrived to the U.S., you will complete the New J-1 International Student Check-in request in ISS Connect. To access ISS Connect, log in with your Pace credentials.
In the New J-1 International Student Check-in request, you will be directed to report your arrival to the U.S. by uploading the following documents identifying you and serving as evidence of your arrival:
- Passport ID Page which includes your name, date of birth, validity dates, and photo
- J-1 Visa
- Form DS-2019
- Most Recent I-94
Reportable Events
- Student arrival - Submit your New J-1 International Student Check-in in ISS Connect.
- Change of Address: Submit a Change of Address and/or Phone Number request in ISS Connect within 10 days of the change.
- Travel: Submit a Travel Signature request in ISS Connect.
- Employment: Remember, you cannot begin working off campus without authorization.