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Home > McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives > International Students > Visa & Immigration > J-1 Status
J-1 Status
A few students who come to Mount Holyoke are on the J-1 visa. If you receive a form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange-Visitor Status), you will apply for a J-1 Exchange-Visitor visa.
Travel and Re-Entry
Students on the J-1 visa generally may enter the US for the first time up to 30 days prior to the start date on the DS-2019 form. They may travel abroad and re-enter the US throughout their studies here, provided that they have a valid passport, a valid J-1 visa, and a current DS-2019 form endorsed on the back by one of the advisors in the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives. 30-Day "Grace Period" at Completion of Studies
At the end of their period of study, J-1 visa holders have a 30-day "grace period," during which they may travel within the US, visit friends, or prepare for their return home. If you wish to transfer to a graduate program or apply for Academic Training after the completion of your studies here, you must complete all of the necessary paperwork to do so prior to the completion of studies (that is, prior to Commencement); you may not extend your stay or apply for Academic Training during, or after, the 30-day grace period. If you wish to remain in the US as a tourist for more than 30 days after Commencement, you should apply for change of status to tourist; we can provide you with the appropriate form for this purpose, which you must file with the USCIS prior to the end of the 30-day grace period.
Two-Year Home Residency Requirement
Although students on J-1 visas may apply for post-graduate study or Academic Training, they may be subject to a two-year residence requirement when they complete their studies in the United States. In other words, after their return home they will not be eligible to enter the United States for two years on certain types of visas (including permanent resident and H-1B temporary worker), nor may they apply to change to those visa categories within the US. It may be possible to re-enter on other visas such as B-2 tourist, F-1 student, and the J-1. This residence requirement ensures that the student's home country will benefit from the education she has obtained in the United States. Field of study and source of funds determine whether a student will be subject to this requirement. If you have financial support from the US government and/or your home government, you will almost certainly be subject to this requirement; and if your field of study appears on the "skills list" for your country, you will probably also be subject. When you apply for your visa, you can ask the Consular Officer to indicate on the DS-2019 form whether or not the residence requirement applies to you. There is a mechanism by which students who are subject to this requirement may request a waiver of it, in which case the first step is to contact your Embassy and ask for a "no objection" letter.
Employment Guidelines for J-1 Students Employment
Students on J-1 visas may work on campus, if the work is specifically a part of their financial aid or Foreign Fellowship program, and they may be eligible to apply for Academic Training, which is off-campus work in a job related to their studies at Mount Holyoke.
Students on J-1 visas who are in good standing at Mount Holyoke and with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services are eligible for employment according to the following guidelines:
On-Campus Employment
Students on J-1 visas may work on campus, during the academic year or during the summer, if the work is specifically a part of their financial aid or Foreign Fellowship program. In other words, students who have a financial aid package including "work-study" may work on campus; and Foreign Fellows may work in the appropriate language department, as required by the terms of their award. However, students who do not specifically have campus employment as part of their financial aid, or Foreign Fellows who have the opportunity to work in other jobs on campus (for example, to tutor an individual student for pay, or to work in dining services), must first obtain approval of one of the advisers in the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives.
Please note: Only MHC offices and departments (Dining Services, International Affairs, LITS, Buildings and Grounds, etc.) are considered to be "on-campus" employers. Working in the Village Commons, as a babysitter for a faculty/staff family, at another college or university, etc. is NOT considered to be on-campus, and is work that violates INS rules. In particular, you may hear the Village Commons referred to as being "owned" by Mount Holyoke, but be aware that work there is NOT considered to be on-campus employment. If you have any question about what constitutes "on-campus" enployment, please check with the McCulloch Center for Global Initiatives before taking any position!
Off-Campus Employment
A student on a J-1 visa may apply for permission to work off campus, either prior to or after completion of studies, under a program called "Academic Training." The purpose of the program is to enable you to obtain practical work experience in a position related to your studies at Mount Holyoke. Students enrolled in a degree program are permitted an overall limit of 18 months of Academic Training; however, the total training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in the program of study. A student who is enrolled for nine months is eligible for a maximum of nine months of Academic Training. You must have a specific job offer in order to apply. For more information, click on the menu item above.
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