Current Scholars

U.S. Immigration Responsibilities for J Scholars 

Your DS-2019 and J-1 visa were issued for a specific objective and purpose (research, teaching in a specific subject) at Boston College. To maintain this status, you must adhere to this original objective and make progress towards completion of these goals. 

Although the OISS is here to help you understand and comply with U.S immigration regulations, maintaining legal immigration status is the responsibility of the individual exchange visitor. Please contact the OISS at any time if you have any questions about the following requirements. 

• Update your local address with the OISS within 10 days of moving. You can email oiss@bc.edu. 
  
  
• Residency Requirement. Fully Remote appointments are not permitted by J-1 regulations. You are expected to be actively engaged in in-person activities and meetings. If you will be conducting research outside of the U.S., or away from campus for more than 30 days, you will need specific permission from the OISS.

• Maintain the required health insurance coverage. All J-1 scholars are required to have insurance which meets the U.S. Department of State requirements. This is a very serious requirement. If you do not obtain the appropriate insurance you will be in violation of your J-1 status. All J visa holders are sent specific information with their DS-2019 form. 
  
  
• Obtain travel signatures for travel outside of the U.S.  If you will travel outside of the U.S., you must have your DS-2019 signed by an OISS advisor in order to return to the U.S. in J-1 status. Travel signatures are valid for one year. If you need to apply for a new visa, you should get a new travel signature even if your current one is less than a year old.  Important!  Visits abroad for more than 30 days require specific immigration permission from the OISS PRIOR to your departure. 
  
  
• Do not accept any compensation for employment outside of your J-1 responsibilities at Boston College without first consulting the OISS. Your J-1 visa has very specific rules about employment and any paid employment is only permitted if it is an integral part of the exchange program. Please consult the OISS if you have any employment related questions.
  
  
• Report any changes in your BC appointment. or your information on your DS-2019. Tell the OISS if you will leave BC earlier than the date on your DS-2019, transfer to another university in the near future or need an extension past the end date on your DS-2019 form. Extensions and transfers must be requested BEFORE your DS-2019 expires. 
  
  
• Notify OISS of serious incidents. OISS is required to report serious incidents involving exchange visitors to the Department of State. This could include, but is not limited to, incidents involving the criminal justice system, serious illness or injury, fraud, lost/stolen immigration documents, or other incidents that could endanger your health, safety, or welfare.
  
  
• Observe grace periods. You have 30 days to prepare to leave the U.S. after your DS-2019 form expires.
  
  
• Keep copies of all DS-2019 forms for your future reference. If you apply for an immigration benefit in the future (even many years in the future!) you could be asked for copies of your past immigration forms.
  
  
• Check your email account regularly. The OISS will send emails occasionally to both the email you provided to request your DS-2019 form and your BC email with important notices, updates and other immigration information.