Extensions
You are permitted to extend your exchange program to complete your original exchange program objective. Your sponsoring department must make the request. Your J Exchange Visitor category will determine the maximum length of your exchange program.
When to Extend
Your department must request an extension of your program prior to the end date indicated in box #3 on your DS-2019. We recommend that requests to extend be submitted by your sponsoring department as soon as it is determined that more time is required to complete your program objective.
Extension Procedures
To extend your permission to stay in the United States, you must:
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Speak with your current supervisor and obtain an invitation to continue in your current program.
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Your sponsoring department will submit a request for the extension to ISSS.
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Provide the department administrator with a copy of proof of your health insurance, copies of updated visas, passport ID pages, I-94 cards (front and back), and any other documents such as financial documentation if you are not financially supported by Emory University.
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ISSS will issue the extension DS-2019 Form and contact you with instructions on obtaining your extended DS-2019.
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If Emory University is not your exchange program sponsor, then you must contact the Responsible Officer of the sponsor who initially issued your DS-2019 to receive instructions on how to complete an extension request and receive your extended DS-2019.
Eligibility
You are eligible to apply for an extension of stay if:
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You are working toward the objective shown on your most recent Form DS-2019;
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You are maintaining your status as a J-1 Exchange Visitor;
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You can demonstrate adequate funding for the period of the proposed extension; and
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You are maintaining health insurance coverage as required by the U.S. Department of State for yourself and any accompanying dependents.
Limit of Stay
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Research Scholars or Professors are limited to 5 years. (See 5-Year Rule below for further details).
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Specialists are limited to one year.
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Short-Term Scholars are limited to 6 months.
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Non-Degree Students in a Prescribed Course of Study are limited to 2 years. Procedures
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At least two months prior to the end date in box #3 of your DS-2019, contact your department and an ISSS scholar advisor for instructions on how to proceed.
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Your hosting department must make the request to extend your exchange program. Therefore, you must discuss the need for an extension with your hosting supervisor.
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You and your hosting department must gather the necessary documents: a letter from the hosting department requesting an extension of your exchange program, financial documentation covering the period of extension, and proof of health insurance for you and any J-2 dependents.
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An ISSS scholar advisor will issue the extension DS-2019 upon receipt of the request for extension from the department and supporting documentation.
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Since your I-94 Departure Record card indicates “D/S” (duration of status), your J-1 status is extended automatically to the new end date on the extension DS-2019, plus an additional 30 days for voluntary departure. If your I-94 is date specific, you will be required to file a petition with USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) or travel outside the U.S., apply for a new J-1 visa stamp (if required), and return in J-1 status. Speak to an ISSS scholar advisor if you have a date specific I-94.
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Important: If you presently either a J-1 Research Scholar or J-1 Professor, you will be barred from repeating a J program in either category for 2 years upon completion of your program, whether you were here for the maximum 5 years allowed or not. Therefore it is important to consider extensions in either of these two categories prior to completion of your program. This bar is not referring to the 2-year home physical presence requirement. It refers to a bar to repeat a new exchange program in either the Research Scholar or Professor categories until you have been physically present outside the U.S. for at least 2 years upon completion of your exchange program in either category.
Caution
Extension of your permission to stay is your responsibility. If you forget the deadline and apply late, you risk denial of the extension. If you are employed and overlook the date, you will be working illegally. Since such mistakes can have serious consequences, you should make certain that you apply well in advance (at least two months is recommended) if you need to extend your stay.