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Faculty and Research Scholar Orientation Slutzker Center for International Services (SCIS) http://international.syr.edu Support and Resources Available: * Slutzker Center - Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm (during academic year) - Mon- Fri 8 am- 4:30 pm (summer) - Scheduled appointments, advisor on-call, seminars, programming - 315-443-2457 / [email protected] * Weekly Slutzker Center Newsletter (SCISNEWS) - Immigration updates, campus & community events announcements * University Information - Public Safety: 711 (on-campus) / (315) 443-2224 (off-campus) SEVIS • Student and Exchange Visitor Information System - A web-based database of all J-1 status individuals shared by U.S. Institutions of Higher Education and immigration-related government offices. • Change of name and address must be reported within 10 days of change - Notify the Slutzker Center of an update by electronically submitting the address update form on our Updating your Address and Data webpage • Schedule an Exit Interview with an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) at Slutzker Center before completing your program and departing Syracuse University Immigration Documents & Regulations DS-2019 • Extensions: Notify the Slutzker Center 1-2 months before expiration Maximum of 5 years of continuous participation in J program • Transfers: Plan ahead and coordinate with other institution Extensions and transfers can only be done before DS-2019 expires Passport • For re-entry, must be valid 6 months beyond date of return, preferably 6 months beyond program end date Visa • May expire while in the U.S. • Must be valid to re-enter the U.S. I-94 I-94 Card Date of Entry Length of Stay J-1 Non-Immigrant Status J-1 Specifics Maximum Participation - Continuous 5 year period—use or lose basis 12 Month Bar - Not eligible to begin a new Professor/Research Scholar program if physically present in the US for all or part of 12 month period prior to new program start date Exceptions: J-1 transfer; presence in US less than 6 months; was in US as a short term scholar 24 Month Bar -Two year bar on repeat participation in the J Professor or Research Scholar category - Begins at the end of a J program (shortened or completed) J-1 Specifics (continued) Two year home residency requirement - Applicable for you and your J-2 dependents if you are sponsored by home or U.S. government - Applicable if your country and field of expertise is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List - Should be noted on your visa and/or DS-2019 Waiver of Home Residency Requirement Individual petition, not filed by the Slutzker Center Change of visa category If you are subject to the 2 year requirement you are not eligible to change your status to H, L, K unless you have fulfilled it or had it waived. Permanent Residency Not eligible to adjust your status to Permanent Resident if your two-year requirement has not been satisfied or waived. In most cases, you are not able to adjust to PR status from the J status. Health Insurance Health Insurance is required by federal law for all J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors for the duration of their program. Must meet the following minimum benefits: - Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness - Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500 - Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000 - A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness. If not included in your policy, medical evacuation and repatriation must be purchased separately. - Med/Evac insurance coverage can be obtained for $24/year - Applications available at the Slutzker Center and online Health insurance coverage must be lapse-free. Submit an updated copy of your new insurance plan/card to the SCIS upon renewal. Travel: Absence less than 5 months • Travel Signature - Must obtain a travel signature from a Slutzker Center ARO to re- enter the U.S. after international travel. - Signature is valid for one year or until the end of your program, which ever is shorter. - You must provide proof of health insurance, and show your original passport, visa, and I-94 card in order to receive a travel signature • Travel Documents - Valid passport, visa, I-94 card, DS-2019, appointment letter, SU ID, and proof of funding (letter of financial support, bank statements) • Check if you will need additional visas (e.g., tourist, transit) Travel to Canada, Mexico, and Adjacent Islands: Automatic Visa Revalidation to re-enter the U.S. from a contiguous country or adjacent island on expired visa if you meet the requirements Travel Outside the US for Research If you will be traveling outside the US for an extended period of time for research related to your J-1 exchange visitor program, please provide the following information to the Slutzker Center: Letter of support from your academic department indicating: • Research abroad is related to J program • Duration of time outside the country The address of your residence abroad The Slutzker Center will update your SEVIS record to reflect this; the 5 month rule will not apply. Traveling to Renew Visa It is recommended that you verify visa application procedures at your foreign U.S. consulate and schedule a visa appointment well in advance and prior to exiting the U.S. since visa wait times may be considerable. Required Documents for J-1 Visa Applications: • Passport—valid 6 months beyond the date you plan to re-enter the U.S. • DS-2019 with current travel signature • Current 2x2 photograph (passport-sized) • Completed visa application forms (online) • Form DS-156 (Non-Immigrant Visa Application) • Form DS-158 (Contact Information and Work History for Non-Immigrant Visa Applicant) • • • • Visa processing fee receipt or payment I-901 SEVIS fee receipt or payment if for initial attendance (if applicable) Embassy interview Biometric procedures: Finger-scan and digital picture Occasional Lecture or Consultations at Another Institution Advance permission is required from SCIS. Consult with a J- scholar advisor before accepting/pursuing any employment outside of Syracuse University. - Must be directly related to your J-1 program objectives Incidental to primary J-1 program activities Will not delay completion of program To receive authorization, submit: - A letter of support from your academic department (addressing bullet points above) to the SCIS. - A letter from your offeror indicating terms of offer; # of hours, duration, field/subject; amount of compensation; and description of the activity Authorization will come in the form of a letter issued by a Slutzker Center ARO. Social Security and Taxes Social Security Number - Anyone earning wages must have a social security number for tax purposes. - To apply for a social security number, you will need your appointment letter, original immigration documents, and a SSN memo if your department will complete it. Taxes - Tax information is available on the SCIS website - Resources, downloadable forms, and access to the CINTAX federal tax preparation software - SCIS advisors are NOT tax experts and can not provide any tax advice or counseling. Dependents • Travel - May travel with or without J-1 primary - Require current travel signature on DS-2019 - Must carry passport, visa, I-94 card, DS-2019, and proof of J-1’s status - May remain in the U.S. without the primary as long as the J-1 maintains current status and will return after a temporary absence using the same SEVIS ID # • Visa Status - J-1/J-2’s must be in compliance with J-exchange visitor immigration regulations • Employment Eligibility - May work in the U.S. if authorized by USCIS - Must submit Employment Authorization Application including Form I-765, supporting documents, and $340 fee • Eligibility for Educational Benefits in the U.S. - May study in the U.S. on a J-2 visa without being required to apply for a student (F-1) visa. Slutzker Center Contact Information • Slutzker Center Phone (315) 443-2457 • • • • • [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] Patricia A. Burak Lynn A. Dunyk Carolyn Salter Mary Schlarb Slutzker Center • Slutzker Center Fax (315) 443-3091 U.S. Government and Exchange Visitor Websites • General U.S. Government Websites - U.S. Customs and Immigration Services - Immigration and Customs Enforcement - Department of Homeland Security - U.S. Customs and Border Protection - U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Consular Affairs - U.S. Embassies, Consulates, and Diplomatic Missions - U.S. Visas • Specific J-1/J-2 Exchange Visitor Websites -Dept. of State J-1 Specifics -Dept. of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs J-1 Specifics -J-1 Regulations Community Resources • Syracuse University website for maps, campus events, & more - http://www.syr.edu • International Center of Syracuse - http://www.icsyracuse.org/ • English Language Conversation Groups - http://international.syr.edu/english_program.htm • Transportation (Bus and Train Schedules) - http://www.centro.org • Medical: University Hospital - 750 E. Adams St, 1-877-464-5540, http://www.upstate.edu/uh/ • Childcare - http://childcaresyracuse.org