St. Cloud State University welcomes international scholars as a key element in its mission to bring the world to its students and to prepare its students for the world.
All J-1 Exchange Visitors present in the United States are required to follow specific rules established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) in order to maintain legal U.S. immigration status.
Maintain Your Program ObjectiveYour DS-2019 was issued based on a specific academic objective agreed upon between you and your sponsoring department. DOS requires that this objective be maintained throughout your stay in J-1 status. If you plan to change your objective in any way (including a change in faculty sponsor, change of lab, change of department, etc.) you must contact the Center for International Studies in order to ensure that the change is permitted.
Maintain a Valid DS-2019Do not allow your DS-2019 Program End Date to expire. If you will need additional time to complete your program objective, please speak with your sponsoring department and the Center for International Studies.
Keep Your Local Address UpdatedYou are required to update your address with the Center for International Studies within 10 days of moving.
Please send an email to international@stcloudstate.edu to notify us of any changes.
Early Completion of Program Objective
If you are planning to complete your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program prior to the program end date on your DS-2019, contact the Center for International Studies for next steps.
Grace Period
At the end of the Program End Date listed on the DS-2019, the J-1 Exchange Visitor may remain in the United States up to 30 days.
During this 30 day grace period, the J-1 Exchange Visitor may remain in the United States and prepare to leave. It is not permissible to work during the grace period.
Once the J-1 Exchange Visitor exits the U.S. after the Program End Date listed on the DS-2019, the individual may not re-enter.
You and any accompanying dependents are required to maintain health insurance for the entire period of your stay in the United States.
For more information about the health insurance policy at St. Cloud State University, please click here.
For information regarding the health insurance benefits, account information, and policy details, please click here.
J-1 exchange visitors may participate in occasional lectures and short-term consultations as long as they are approved in advance and in writing by the Center for International Studies.
All J-1 Exchange Visitors must file both state and federal tax forms every year that they are in the U.S.
The deadlines to file the forms are April 15, if U.S. money is earned, and June 15, if no U.S. money is earned.
For more information, click here.
Some J-1 Exchange Visitors are subject to the Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement INA 212(e).
If the J-1 Exchange Visitor is subject to this requirement, the individual will have to return to their home country for two years at the end of their J-1 program.
J-1 Exchange Visitors may be subject to the Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement if:
The individual may NOT apply for a change of status to H, L, K, or Permanent Residency without completing the two-year residency requirement in their home country OR must obtain a waiver of this requirement.
The Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement INA 212(e) does not prevent the individual from returning to the U.S. under the visa categories B-1/B-2, F-1/F-2, or J-1.
For more information, click here.
8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday (Fall and Spring Semester)
7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Monday - Friday (Summer)
720 4th Avenue South
Lawrence Hall 101
St. Cloud, Minnesota 56377
1-320-308-4287
1-320-308-4223