Federal Immigration regulations in the United States are taken very seriously, and it is critical that international students in J-1 visa classification maintain their legal status in the country. To maintain your legal status, make sure you're aware of and comply fully with the requirements set forth by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS).
You can learn more about these regulations on this page. However, you can also refer to the Department of Homeland Security's website and the U.S. Department of State website for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Arrival or Relocation
As an international student in J-1 status, you may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before your program of study begins.
Important Note
You are required to have a current U.S. local address (SEVIS U.S. address) as well as a permanent foreign address (SEVIS Foreign address) on file with Ohio University at all times. Failure to update either of these addresses within 10 days of moving is a violation of your immigration status. Similarly you are required to designate a "preferred" phone number, which will also be reported to SEVIS.
Reporting Your Arrival to the U.S.
The Immigration Check-in should only be completed by students who are physically inside of the U.S.
How To Report Your Arrival
Once you have entered the country, please log into iCats.ohio.edu .
- Under the gray “Requests” banner, click on the entry that starts with “Admitted Spring…”.
- Complete and submit the “ Confirm Arrival” e-form. In order to complete this check-in you will need to have the following items available:
- The date you entered the U.S.
- An email and phone number for your emergency contact person
- A copy of your passport ID page
- A copy of your visa stamp (unless you are a citizen of Canada)
This step must be completed before we can report your arrival to the U.S. Government.
Updating Your Address and/or Phone Number
You can update your address in MyOhio Student Center . Updating your address with the the University will automatically update your record in SEVIS.
Instruction Screen Share Videos
Laptop or Desktop Instructions
This video contains step-by-step instructions for how to update your address or phone number on a laptop or desktop computer.
You can also download and print step-by-step instructions with screenshots:
- How to update your address in your MyOhio Student Account
- How to update your phone number in your MyOhio Student Account
Smartphone Instructions
This video contains step-by-step instructions for how to update your address or phone number on a smartphone.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will electronically send your new address to SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), the US federal web-based database used by immigration officials to record and track international student data.
Transferring Your SEVIS Record
A transfer is a change in U.S. educational institution, and this change can occur at various times throughout your J-1 program — while in the middle of your degree program, after completing your degree program or after engaging in Academic Training.
When you request a transfer of your SEVIS record, ISSS will work with the international student office at the new school to transfer your record to them.
Transfer Restrictions
If you are a J-1 student who wants to transfer to a new institution, you must adhere to specific restrictions:
- If transferring in the middle of your program, you must have the same major at your new institution
- You must study at the same level or higher as your current degree program at OHIO
- Students in the non-degree category can only transfer to a non-degree program at their new institution within the same major
How to Request a Transfer
A transfer can be requested any time prior to the end date on your current DS-2019.
- To request a transfer, log into iCats
and submit the "SEVIS Transfer Out Request" eform.
- A copy of the admission letter from your new school is required.
- You can submit the required documents to the front desk of the ISSS office, by emailing them to isss@ohio.edu , or by faxing them to 740-593-4328.
Once ISSS has received all the necessary documents, please allow 2 weeks for processing of your request.
What Happens Next?
Once your request has been processed, ISSS will send an email to your OHIO email account confirming that your SEVIS record has been transferred or to confirm that it is scheduled to be transferred (if your requested release date is in the future). If you decide that you do not want to transfer to the school noted on the request form, ISSS can cancel the transfer if you notify us about your decision before the SEVIS release date you selected. If you change your mind after the SEVIS release date, you will need to work with the new educational institution to correct your SEVIS record.
Employment
Important Note: Your OHIO authorized employment must end the day before your SEVIS record is released. This includes on-campus employment, and Academic Training.
Enrollment
J-1 students must enroll in a full course of study during normal enrollment periods, which are fall and spring semesters at Ohio University. However, there is one exception; any J-1 student who begins their program of study or ends their program of study in the summer semester must be enrolled full-time for the summer.
What is Full Time?
- A full course of study for an undergraduate or OPIE student is 12 credits.
- A full course of study for a graduate student is 9 credits.
- A full course of study for non-degree students may vary. Contact the ISSS team with any questions.
Online Courses
When choosing courses to enroll in it is important to consider if the course will be taught online or in person. Only three online credits can count towards your full-time enrollment requirement. This does not mean you are barred from taking more online courses. It just means that you must take enough in-person courses to fulfill the full-time requirements before you add any online courses to your schedule.
Reduced Enrollment
Federal Regulations limit the circumstances in which students may register less than full-time.
Please note: To reduce your enrollment, prior permission from ISSS is required. Please submit the "Reduced Course Load Request" eform, which can be found in iCats under "J-1 Student Services," to request permission.
Academic Difficulties
One time during the degree program, students may request to enroll less than full-time due to academic difficulties. Those difficulties must fall within one of the following areas:
- Unfamiliarity with U.S. teaching methods (Limited to first semester only)
- Initial difficulties with the English language (Limited to first semester only)
- Initial difficulties with reading requirements (Limited to first semester only)
- Improper course level placement
The student must submit a Reduced Course Load Request eform in iCats and be supported by the academic department. ISSS written approval must be obtained before dropping the courses, and the student must remain enrolled in half of the full-time credits.
Once this option is used, it cannot be used again. Before completing the eform, please find the Reduced Course Load Recommendation Form on our Forms page .
Final Semester
During a student's final semester of an academic program, the student is only required to register for the credits necessary to finish the degree. The student must submit the Reduced Course Load Request eform in iCats and the academic department must provide confirmation.
Important Notes
- The request should be submitted before the start of the semester.
- Before completing the eform, please find the Reduced Course Load Recommendation Form on our Forms page .
Medical Recommendation
If a student develops a medical condition that requires reduced enrollment (or no enrollment), the regulations allow it under the following conditions:
- The student must have a written recommendation on the Medical Recommendation form. The form must be signed by one of the following:
- A licensed medical doctor
- A psychiatrist
- A doctor of osteopathy
- A licensed psychologist
- A clinical psychologist
- The recommendation can only cover one semester at a time.
- The cumulative limit on authorization is 12 months per degree program.
- The documentation is submitted to ISSS before the courses are dropped.
Students who believe they may need this option should talk with an ISSS advisor as early as possible. The request may be submitted in iCats .
Program Extensions
Your DS-2019 form was issued for a standard and set time frame. You will find the program start and end dates in section 3 of your DS-2019 form.
You may find that you are unable to finish your program by the end date. In that case, you will need to request an extension of your J-1 program.
Program Extension Eligibility Requirements and Process
You may apply for an extension of your study program if:
- Your current DS-2019 has not already expired
- You have continuously maintained lawful J-1 status
- The delay in completing program requirements has been caused by compelling academic or medical reasons
How to Request a Program Extension
- Log in to iCats
- Submit the "Extension of J-1 Program" eform.
- You will be required to submit new financial documentation. Students being sponsored by family or friends will need to submit a "Financial Sponsor Form" from each sponsor.
Starting a New OHIO Program
You must obtain a new Form DS-2019 before changing your academic program from one degree level to another (from Bachelor's to Master's level, from Master's to Doctoral, etc.).
How to Request a New DS-2019
To request the new DS-2019 you must provide:
- proof of admission to the new program at the new education level
- and current financial documents to establish a funding source for your new academic program
As a J-1 student, the financial documents must show support for the entire duration of the new program. Submit these documents to your ISSS international student advisor beforebeginning your new academic program and prior to the end date of your current Form DS-2019.
Non-degree or Exchange Students
Non-degree or exchange students are not eligible for a change of level. If you are a current non-degree or exchange student that has been admitted to OHIO for an academic program in a future term, you must receive a new DS-2019 from the admitting office and re-enter the U.S. on that new DS-2019. Please schedule an appointment with an ISSS advisor to discuss your plans as early as possible.