New J-1 Student Regulations Effective January 1, 2003

On January 1, 2003, new regulations effecting J-1 students in the U.S. went into effect. The new regulations implement SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System). SEVIS requires educational institutions to periodically report information (change of address, registration, completion of program, etc.) to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS, formerly known as INS) on all active students under their visa sponsorship. In addition, the regulations have made some changes to procedures and have incorporated the BCIS policy of “no tolerance” for mistakes on the part of nonimmigrants, including J-1 students. It is critical that you understand how the J-1 regulations impact you so that you will be in compliance with them. Please note that the changes to the F-1 regulations are more dramatic than changes to the J-1 regulations. For example, there have been changes to F-1 to Optional Practical Training but no changes to J-1 Academic Training.

If your J-1 sponsor is NOT Princeton University, be sure to check with your program sponsor (IIE/Fulbright, Amideast, etc.) for information on how they will implement SEVIS rules.

Highlights of the changes that will most impact you as a continuing student are as follows:

Current IAP-66/DS-2019 May Be Used for Re-entry until August 1, 2003

If the visa stamp in your passport is valid, you may use your current IAP-66/DS-2019 (new name for IAP-66) to re-enter the U.S. as often as needed up to August 1, 2003. If you will be enrolled at Princeton University for the Fall 2003, Visa Services must issue you a new DS-2019 approved through SEVIS prior to the August 1 deadline.

SEVIS DS-2019 Required for All Students Who Need to Apply for a New J-1 Visa Stamp

If you are traveling during 2003 and need a new J-1 visa, you must have a SEVIS DS-2019 issued by Visa Services for this purpose. Your current IAP-66/DS-2019 will not be sufficient. Princeton University has not yet been authorized to issue SEVIS DS-2019s. Unless you notify Visa Services of earlier travel plans, we expect to begin issuing these new documents in June.

Change of Address Submitted through Princeton effective January 30, 2003

Effective January 30, 2003, Princeton is required to report your address updates and changes to the INS on your behalf through the SEVIS system. You are required to report any change of address to the Registrar’s Office within 10 (ten) days of any change.* Your address is reported when you are entered into the system, i.e., when you are issued a SEVIS DS-2019. You may continue to file a change of address yourself (prior to receiving your SEVIS DS-2019) by downloading the AR-11 from the USCIS website: www.immigration.gov. Dependents must also keep address changes current with Visa Services if the address is different from that of the J-1 student.

*Those students who are subject to National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS) also known as special registration must also complete AR-11SR as instructed by INS.

J-2 Dependents must have their own SEVIS Document

Under the new regulations, effective August 1, 2003, J-2 dependents must be issued their own SEVIS DS-2019. That means if you have a spouse and three children, your family members will be issued four SEVIS documents in addition to the one you possess. Unless you notify Visa Services of earlier travel plans, we will be issuing these new documents at the same time we replace your non-SEVIS IAP-66/DS-2019s (beginning in June).

Also included in the regulations:

· New Limit On Initial Admission to the U.S.

The new regulations limit initial admission in J-1 status to a period of no more than 30 (thirty) days prior to the date listed in item 3 on the DS-2019 as the date the program begins. For example, if a student has a program begin date of September 1, he or she can enter the U.S. no earlier than August 2. Therefore, if you take a leave of absence, you will be issued a new SEVIS DS-2019 for your return to the U.S. You will have a report date of the beginning of the semester you are returning from leave. You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days prior to that date.