Important Update Regarding Extensions/Transfers and Sponsorship of J Exchange Visitors
As of August 1, 2010, International Student and Scholar Programs (ISSS) implemented a new policy regarding extensions of stay for J exchange visitors sponsored by a non-Emory entity. A number of Emory’s J scholars sponsored by their government, employer, or a private agency and as a condition of the sponsorship, have agreed to return home following the completion of their programs. Obviously, these sponsors have a vested interest in the scholars’ return home. While many scholars do honor their commitment and return to their home countries, some ignore the terms of the exchange agreement. They obtain new financial support and ask their departments to request an extension of their program, so that they can remain in the U.S. longer than stipulated in the exchange agreement.
In adherence to the purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program, ISSS will no longer grant extensions or requests for transfer if doing so will violate an exchange agreement between the exchange visitor and his or her sponsor. However, if the scholar obtains written permission from the sponsor to obtain new financial support, extend his or her stay, or to transfer to a different Exchange Visitor Program, ISSS will adhere to the new agreement. Permission should be granted in an official letter, in English and on the official letterhead of the original sponsor, with an original signature.
The departmental administrator who submits J requests to ISSS should review the following information and forward it to anyone else in the department who should be aware of this change.
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Requirements for financial support documentation will remain the same. That is, the kind of documents required and the amount of sponsorship required will not change.
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J exchange visitors who are sponsored by a non-Emory entity, with the expectation that they will return home following completion of the program, are expected to abide by the terms of the agreement.
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If the sponsor wishes to modify the original agreement, an official letter with the date and name of the scholar, in English, and on the official letterhead of the sponsor, with an original signature is required.
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Requests for extensions or transfers will trigger a review of the original exchange agreement.
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Requests for change of departments will trigger a review of the original exchange agreement, if an extension is included.
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J scholars who are sponsored by a non-Emory entity and have already received an extension of stay beyond the time given by the original exchange agreement may continue until the expiration of their current DS-2019.
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Going forward, ISSS will terminate J scholars who have received an extension of stay and/or change of financial sponsorship that violates their exchange agreement unless the scholar has obtained written permission from the sponsor for an extension of stay.
Reminders for Submitting J Requests in General.
1. All J requests should be complete and submitted to ISSS no later than 3 months prior to the requested begin date of the scholar’s program. Do not include travel time in the requested dates. The dates requested should be the beginning and ending of the scholar’s participation in the Exchange Visitor Program.
2. The new version of the Exchange Visitor Information Form is now required with each request. The new form can be found on our website here.
3. Subject/Field Codes should not be changed when submitting requests for extensions.