All J-1 Exchange Visitors in the United States must follow specific rules established by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS) to maintain legal immigration status.

Maintain Your Training/Internship Placement Plan

Your DS-7002 was issued based on defined phases of training or tasks, each with a specific objective agreed upon by your program sponsor, phase supervisor, and our institution. DOS requires that these training phases and tasks remain consistent throughout your J-1 status. If you plan to change your training/internship placement plan in any way (including location, tasks, supervisor, etc.), you must contact the Center for International Studies to ensure the change is permitted.

Maintain a Valid DS-2019

Do not allow your DS-2019 Program End Date to expire. If you need additional time to complete your training/internship plan, please speak with the Center for International Studies to determine eligibility.

Keep Your Local Address Updated

You 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 Training/Internship

If you plan to complete your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program before 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, J-1 Exchange Visitors may remain in the United States for up to 30 days.

During this 30-day grace period, you may stay in the U.S. to prepare for departure. It is not permissible to continue at your internship site during this time.

Once you exit the U.S. after the Program End Date listed on the DS-2019, you 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.

Learn more about the J-1 health insurance policy at St. Cloud State University.

View details about health insurance benefits, account information, and policy coverage.

Documents Required for Travel Outside the U.S.

• Passport valid for at least 6 months into the future
• Valid DS-2019 with travel validation (travel signature)
• Valid J-1 visa

Travel Procedures to Canada, Mexico, and the Caribbean Islands

• A valid U.S. entry visa is not required if you travel to a contiguous territory (Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands excluding Cuba) for less than 30 days.
• If a person in J-1 Exchange Visitor status enters the U.S. from these territories within 30 days, the entry visa is considered automatically extended to the date of re-entry provided the entry visa has not been canceled or voided. This is called automatic visa revalidation. If you plan to use this procedure, do not surrender your valid I-94 card to immigration officials when leaving the United States.
• Note: Citizens of Iran, Sudan, Syria, and Cuba are NOT eligible for automatic visa revalidation. This provision also excludes individuals who applied for a U.S. entry visa in Canada or Mexico and whose visa application was denied.
• Certain individuals require an entry visa before entering Canada, Mexico, or the Caribbean Islands. Please contact the appropriate consulate for information.

Travel Procedures to All Other Countries

• To travel to any other country, you should have a valid, unexpired J-1 visa in your passport (Canadians excluded).
• If you do not, you must apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy abroad. You should also have a letter from your department confirming your employment. Please notify the Center for International Studies at least one month in advance so we can endorse your DS-2019 for travel.

Obtaining or Renewing a J-1 Visa in Your Home Country

• Check with the appropriate U.S. embassy website for general visa information.
• Follow the same procedure you used when obtaining your previous visa(s) to enter the United States. Bring current proof of financial support.
• Required documents vary by country, so request a list from the U.S. Embassy in your home country before leaving the United States.
• Due to security background checks, visa processing may take considerable time.

Obtaining or Renewing a J-1 Visa in Canada or Mexico

• If you want to apply for or renew your J-1 visa in Canada or Mexico rather than in your home country, you must make an appointment 2–3 weeks in advance.
• If your visa is denied, you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. under automatic visa revalidation.

All J-1 Exchange Visitors must file both state and federal tax forms every year they are in the U.S. if they receive payment while working at their training or internship site.

The deadlines to file the forms are April 15 if U.S. income is earned, and June 15 if no U.S. income is earned.

Learn more about income tax filing requirements.

All student interns must be evaluated at the conclusion of their training or internship program. Programs lasting more than six months require both a midpoint and a concluding evaluation.

Evaluations should describe the student intern's projects and include an assessment of effort and quality of work.

Completed evaluations must be submitted to the Center for International Studies and retained for three years after the completion of the student's internship.