Important Announcement Regarding New J Requests
International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is enforcing its policy requiring departments to submit requests for new J exchange visitors no less than 3 months in advance of the proposed start date. New J exchange visitors are those who are 1) currently outside the country requiring the issuance of a J-1 visa stamp to enter the U.S., 2) currently inside the U.S. in another status requiring a change of status to J-1, or 3) currently in the U.S. in J-1 status requiring a transfer to Emory’s Exchange Visitor Program. After reviewing ISSS records for new J exchange visitors, requests received at least 3 months in advance of the anticipated start date allows sufficient time in most cases for new J exchange visitors to arrive in time to begin their exchange program. When ISSS receives these requests less than 3 months in advance of the start date, the new scholar is unable to arrive by the start date resulting in extra work and cost for both ISSS and the department in the reissuance of an amended DS-2019. If a DS-2019 request for a new J exchange visitor is received less than 3 months in advance of the start date,
ISSS will notify the department by email that a more appropriate start date is required. Departments can reply stating the new start date is okay or cancel the request.
Remember, when new J exchange visitors who are outside the U.S. receive the DS-2019, they must also set up an appointment with the U.S. consulate in their country of residence. The exchange visitor must pay the SEVIS fee, schedule the appointment, travel to the U.S. Consulate for the appointment and then may experience delays in processing the visa due to security clearance requirements. In many cases, the J exchange visitor may not receive his/her passport with the J-1 visa stamp until 30 to 60 days after the initial appointment date. Therefore, requests must be issued as far in advance as possible to guarantee that the J exchange visitor arrives in time to begin his/her exchange activity. If the new J exchange visitor is requesting a change of status, the prospective J exchange visitor must file a petition with USCIS to request the change of status to J-1, which can take at least 3 months to process for approval. For J-1 transfers, Emory University must communicate with the current Exchange Program sponsor and coordinate the transfer of the J exchange visitor to Emory’s program. This takes time and can result in delays.
ISSS makes every attempt to process all requests in order of receipt and as expeditiously as possible. Most departmental requests can be processed by ISSS within two weeks. Enforcing the receipt of departmental requests at least 3 months in advance of the anticipated start date for new J exchange visitors will guarantee in most cases that the J exchange visitor will arrive at Emory in time to begin the exchange program.
New Compliance Form for J-1 Requests
An updated J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Compliance Form has been created and is posted as a PDF document to the ISSS website. Please begin using this new form immediately, rather than the one in PeopleSoft.