Before arriving on campus you should carefully read and understand the following information:

• General Information
  
  • Department/Sponsor Consultations
    
    • It is vitally important that you understand your specific duties, length of time, and any compensation or reimbursement associated with your activities.
    • Consult with your department until that information is clear and agreeable.
  • Passport
    
    • As an exchange visitor, you are required to have a valid passport to enter the United States and at all times while you are here.
  • Church Educational System Honor Code Observance
    
    • Become familiar with the Church Educational System Honor Code.
    • Commit to adhere to it.
• Specific Information Based Upon Your Length of Time on Campus
  
  • If you are going to be on campus for nine days or less
    
    • Visa—Your department will send you a letter of invitation which you must present to the U.S. Consulate officer in order to obtain a B-1 visa. Canadians also do not need a visa to enter the U.S. Additionally, if you are from a Visa Waiver Program country and are going to be in the U.S. less than 90 days, you do not need a visa.
    • Port of Entry in the U.S.—Your department letter must also be presented to an immigration officer at the port of entry where you will be issued a Form I-94 (departure record and permission to be in the country) specifying "B-1" immigration status. If you are Canadian, you do not need B-1 status on your Form I-94 if you declare that you are entering the U.S. on business. If you are from a Visa Waiver Program country, present your letter and valid passport at the port of entry and request a WB Form I-94. In order to qualify for a WB Form I-94, you must be in possession of a valid passport and a round-trip, nontransferable transportation ticket. The visa waiver program allows business or tourist activity for a maximum of 90 days; it is not possible to extend or change your status. more
  • If you are going to be on campus for more than nine days
    
    • Form DS-2019—You must have a Form DS-2019 in your possession to enter the country as an exchange visitor. This U.S. government form will indicate the nature of your activities at BYU and will specify your program length.
      
      • Scholars, Specialists, Professors and Researchers—As you consult with your department in preparation to coming to campus, a representative will submit to International Services a Request For Issuance of Form DS-2019.
    • Health Insurance Requirement
      
      • You are required to have medical insurance in effect for yourself and any dependents in J-visa status for the duration of your program. Some sponsors provide the required insurance for their participants. Other sponsors may allow you to make your own arrangements or may help to identify insurance carriers. Consult with your responsible officer before the start of your program. more
    • J-1 Visa—Unless you are Canadian, you will need a J-1 visa to enter the U.S.as an exchange visitor.
      
      • Application Procedure
        
        • You should apply for your visa at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy which has jurisdiction over your place of residence.
        • The consular office may require the following:
          
          • A valid passport and a properly executed Form DS-2019 from Brigham Young University.
          • Documents to establish that you are a bona fide nonimmigrant Exchange Visitor.
          • Evidence that you have adequate financial support for your entire stay in the United States.
          • Evidence that you have a residence in your home country which you have no intention of abandoning.
          • The consular officer may require other documents or evidence to ensure that you meet all the requirements of an Exchange Visitor. Please cooperate fully with these requests.
        • If the consular officer approves your application for a J-1 visa, he/she will stamp the visa on the appropriate page of your passport and note the period of validity of the visa and the number of entries for which it is valid.
        • The officer will also note on the Form DS-2019 whether or not you are subject to the Two-year Home Residency Requirement.
        • The officer then will return your Form DS-2019 to you.
        • Current wait times
    • Bringing Dependents With You—You may request permission from your department to bring dependents with you who are under the age of 21.
      
      • Since they will need their own Form DS-2019s, you must provide your department with the names, ages, genders, and countries of residence for each.
      • A representative will submit to International Services a Request for Issuance of Form DS 20-19 for Dependants.
      • Your dependent spouse may work if the employment is not related to your financial support. J-2 dependents may also take classes. more
    • Upon Arrival at the United States Port of Entry—Before you will be admitted to the United States, you will required to present your passport, visa, and Form DS-2019 to the Immigration inspector.
    • more

Click here to learn more.

In addition to the orientation which the department will provide, have your department representative assist you in the following:

• International Student and Scholar Services Check-in
  
  • Submit a New Student or New Scholar Check-In eForm found at https://ist.byu.edu under the J-1 Student or Scholar Services menus.
  • FOR NON-STUDENTS ONLY: Schedule an orientation appointment with International Student Services.
• You must observe the following requirements to remain in status:
  
  1. Read and clearly understand page 2 of your Form DS-2019 as stipulated by your signature—It spells out your responsibilities.
  2. Maintain a valid passport—Federal regulations require that you maintain a valid passport at all times. International Services staff will assist upon request.
  3. Keep your passport, Form I-94, and Form DS-2019 in a safe place while here in Provo and keep these papers in your possession at all times when traveling outside of Provo.
  4. Update your address in MyBYU within 10 days of any changes.
  5. Maintain the required level of personal and J-2 dependants' health insurance—Obtain and maintain the required sickness and accident insurance and medical evacuation and repatriation insurance (which meet Department of State requirements) during the duration of time you are at BYU. A willful failure to carry insurance is considered to be a violation of the exchange visitor program regulations. more
  6. Complete your educational activities within the designated time—You are permitted to participate in your program only for the period of time specified on your Form DS-2019. You may consult with IS if you have questions.
     Grace period after program ends—You are granted a thirty (30) day grace period following the end of your program in which to prepare and to leave the United States. During this time you may travel and visit any part of the country, but you are not authorized for employment.
  7. Request extensions of permission to remain in this country if necessary and if you qualify. As you continue to remain in status, you are allowed to remain in the U.S. for the time designated on your Form I-94 (a small white card entitled Departure Record) in your passport. If the card has a D/S notation instead of an expiration date, then the stay expires when the DS-2019 expires.
  8. Limit employment to that which is specifically authorized—Students and Scholars must obtain an authorization letter from International Student and Scholar Services by submitting a Letter of Certification eForm found at https://ist.byu.edu. Then take the letter to Human Resources to become hired.
  9. Obtain permission to travel on temporary visits outside the United States
     
     1. You and any dependents must obtain a travel authorization signature on your Form(s) DS-2019 before you leave the United States.
     2. Travel is only permitted before your program ending date.
     3. To re-enter the United States, you must have a current signed Form DS-2019, a valid passport and a valid J-1 visa (unless your travel was to Canada or Mexico only for less than 30 days).
  10. Consult with International Student and Scholar Services regarding any significant change you wish to make in activities, such as a reduction of course load, change of major field, employment, travel outside the United States, or transfer to another school within the United States, etc.

Your J-1 lawful status is your official U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) designation and authorization of your stay in the U.S. as a non-immigrant.

• This status is granted at your port of entry by a USCIS officer who reviews your visa and other documents, and upon your admittance, writes your immigration status and the length of time you may remain in the U.S. on your electronic Form I-94.
• Your I-94 is your official documentation of your lawful status in the U.S. You will need to retrieve and print your I-94 from https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home. Your permission to stay in the U.S. is based upon that status. You will probably have “D/S” as the length of stay; it means “duration of status” until the program completion date noted on your Form DS-2019 providing you continue to maintain the requirements of your status.
• Since you are responsible to learn and observe the requirements to maintain your status, we encourage you to carefully review all of the related materials on this site. If you are unsure of any of the requirements, please consult with International Services’ staff.

Immigration matters are the responsibility of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

You are required to have medical insurance in effect for yourself and any dependents in J-visa status for the duration of your program. Please click on the link below for more information:

Because individual circumstances vary, consult with International Student Services, your embassy or legal advisor before traveling.

Inside the U.S.

• Special permission is not required for you to travel within the U.S.

• Whenever you travel outside the Provo area, you are advised to carry your

  • Passport,
  • Form I-94 and
  • Form DS-2019

Outside the U.S.

• Questions and Answers about Exchange Visitor Program: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html

• Documents

  • Entry to another country—other countries have rules and restrictions on who can enter their country and how

    • If you travel to your country of citizenship or permanent residence, you will generally be allowed to enter if you have a valid passport or other travel document issued by that country.

    • If you travel to a third country (a country other than the U.S. or your home country), you are responsible for knowing whether you need an entry visa for that country.

      • Some countries will require a visa. You may also need an in-transit visa for countries where you are making a connecting flight. Most countries have immigration websites that provide visa information.
      • Canada—Persons from many countries are required to obtain a Canadian entry visa when entering Canada from the United States. Visas may be obtained from the Canadian Consulate General. Consult the Canadian Consulate General for visa regulations concerning your country before making travel arrangements.
      • Mexico—Tourist cards or visas may be required for travel to Mexico. Information is available here.

  • Re-entry to the U.S.

    • Visa—must

      • be valid
      • allow further entries and
      • match your current status listed on your I-94

    • Passport

      • Must be valid for at least six months into the future; however,
      • Some passports are only required to be valid when you enter the U.S.
    • Form I-94—you should not surrender your current I-94 when you exit the U.S. unless you have changed your status and will be returning with a new visa.

    • Form DS-2019 that

      • Is issued by BYU
      • Is current

      • Contains an endorsement signature from International Services for travel on page 1

        • That signature is valid for 12 months
      • Current financial documentation issued within the last four months
      • Letter of lawful status—International Services will provide this certification upon your request.
      • more

  • Special Situations

    • Pending Applications for adjustment of Status—If you have a pending application for adjustment of your non-immigrant status to permanent residency, you will need permission to travel before leaving the U.S. by obtaining Advance Parole. more

    • Post-completion Academic Training

      • If you have both documentation for your academic training and of a job, you should not experience difficulty reentering the United States.
      • If either of these two conditions is missing, then you are assuming risk when you travel.
    • You may not renter during the 30-day grace period after completing your program or academic training.
    • If you require a new visa, there is no guarantee that you will be readmitted.