It is the responsibility of each scholar to be familiar with the immigration requirements related to your status. Following the guidelines below will help you maintain valid J-1 immigration status. If you have specific questions about your status, you can schedule an appointment to meet with an international Scholar Advisor at the International Center.
Understanding Visa and Status
What is a Visa?
The visa is a sticker placed in your passport at a Visa Office at a U.S. Consulate by the U.S. Department of State. When communicating with the staff and advisors at the International Center, you might hear us refer to it as “the visa in your passport”. The purpose of the visa is seek entry into the U.S.
The visa is presented along with other documents (DS-2019, passport) to request admissions into the U.S. At the port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official will review the visa along with other documentation and decide if you will be allowed to enter the U.S. “admitted into the U.S.”
What is Status?
Status is your legal non-immigrant category under which you are allowed to remain in the U.S. At UCI, most commonly used visa status for international students, researchers and scholars are F-1, J-1 and H-1B.
Each visa category has certain responsibilities which you must follow in order to remain in legal status in the U.S. Your status is a combination of you being admitted into the U.S., you maintaining a valid visa document (DS-2019) and a valid I-94, a valid passport and also following the requirements of your specific visa.
Expiration Dates
Visa: Your visa will have an expiration date noted on the visa sticker. The purpose of the visa is to enter the U.S., once you are in the U.S. your visa can expire.
If you are in the U.S. and your visa expires – you can remain in the U.S. as long as your status is valid. However, the next time you need to leave the U.S. and want to return – you must apply for a new visa.
A way to understand this is to think of your visa as the “key” to unlock the door to come into your house. Once you are in the house, you no longer need the key. But if you left your house and needed to come back you will need to have a key to unlock the door again
Status: Your status can never expire and you should ensure that you keep valid status. To ensure that your status documents are valid, you should be aware of the expiration dates on your DS-2019, your passport and your I-94.
How long will my visa be valid?
The length of time that your visa will be issued for is based on reciprocity agreements between the U.S. and other countries. Each country has a different agreement with the U.S.A. and the length of the visa may vary; it can be from a few months to several years. Some visas are only valid for one entry, and some are valid for multiple entries.
Visa Cancellations
A visa cancellation is not a cancellation of your status, you can remain in the U.S. You will need to view your visa as expired (see section above) and the next time you leave the U.S. you will need to apply for a new visa.
If you ever receive notification from a U.S. Consulate informing you that your visa has been cancelled, please contact the International Center for an appointment with an International Scholar Advisor to discuss your specific situation and next steps.