 |
J-1 Exchange Visitors
Pre-arrival information
Purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program
The broad purpose of the Exchange Visitor program is to promote international educational and cultural exchange in order to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. Exchange programs exist in a variety of formats and permit visitors to come to this country for a wide range of activities. Miami University 's Exchange Visitor program provides opportunities for study and research.
Your visa and visa document
See the enclosed J-1 Scholar or J-1 student check sheet and the section that is checked that pertains to your situation, depending on whether you are outside the U.S., inside the U.S, need to transfer or need to change status.
The home-country physical-presence requirement
Some, but not all, Exchange Visitors are subject to this requirement. Its purpose is to have the home country benefit from the Exchange Visitor's experience in the United States . Exchange Visitors come to this country for a specific objective such as a program of study or a research project. The requirement is intended to prevent a participant who is subject to the two-year home residence requirement from staying longer than necessary to complete their original objective, and to ensure that he or she will spend at least two years in the home country before coming back to the United States for a long-term stay. The terms of the requirement are explained on page 2 of the DS-2019. If you have questions about the requirement, including whether or not it applies to you, please consult with the Consular Officer when you apply for your visa.
Housing
Information about housing for graduate international students is provided in the materials enclosed with the Form DS-2019. Undergraduates will get the housing application with their admission letter. Visiting J-1 professors, research scholars or short-term scholars may seek the assistance of their academic departments in locating appropriate housing. Most apartments within walking distance of the campus are rented long before the academic year begins. Others may necessitate the use of a bicycle or bus. Some are available with furniture; others are rented without furniture. Almost all require one month's rent in advance, the final month's rent, and another month's rent as damage deposit.
Fees payable to Miami University
Exchange Visitor students or their financial sponsors are required to pay tuition and fees to Miami University , unless there is a formal, written exchange agreement modifying the requirement. Current fees can be found at www.muohio.edu/international/intl-costs.php#fees. No fees are payable to Miami University by Exchange Visitor professors or research scholars, unless you decide to buy health insurance, repatriation and emergency medical evacuation insurance through Miami University.
Other likely costs
Student fees payable to Miami University do not include books and supplies, room and food, summer tuition, health insurance and fees, expenses for dependents, or miscellaneous expenses. Scholars will have to pay for room and food, supplies, health insurance, rental deposits, utilities (water, electricity, etc.).
J-1 visa categories
Short-term Scholar category
Purpose
This information has been prepared for short-term international scholars who have been invited to Miami University for teaching or research as J-1 Exchange Visitors. The enclosed Form DS-2019 is your certificate of eligibility for J-1 status at this school. This explains the steps to be taken that will properly arrange for that status.
Limitations
The total stay in the United States for Exchange Visitors in the "Short-Term" category is limited to six months. Extensions beyond that time are not permitted.
The Two-Year Home-Country Physical-Presence Requirement
The purpose of the requirement is to have the home country benefit from the Exchange Visitor's experience in the United States . Exchange Visitors come to this country for a specific objective, such as a program of study or a research project. Not all Exchange Visitors are subject to the requirement, which is intended to prevent a participant who is subject from staying longer than necessary to achieve that objective, and to ensure that he or she will spend at least two years in the home country before coming back to the United States for a prolonged stay. For the terms of the requirement please see page 2 of the Form DS-2019. If you have questions about the requirement, please consult with the Consular Officer when you apply for your visa, or direct them to contact Molly Heidemann at the Office of International Education at Miami University.
Visa Stamp
To enter the United States as a J-1 Visiting Scholar under Miami University 's sponsorship, you must have a valid passport and a J-1 visa stamp in your passport. To apply for your visa, you must first pay the SEVIS fee, then take the Form DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt, appointment letter and your passport to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. The Visa Officer will ask you to document all sources of funding which can include a letter of award or support, a bank statement, proof of income, etc. If your dependents will be accompanying you, they will need to take their passports and DS-2019s to the consulate and apply for a J-2 visa (J-2 dependents do not have to pay the SEVIS fee). Be prepared to show proof of marriage to your spouse and parenthood of each child, as well as written documentation of how they are to be supported during the time that they plan to be in the U.S. For visa tips and information, go to: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
Special Note: Canadians do not need passports or visa stamps to enter the United States, but they do have to show Form DS-2019, proof of SEVIS fee payment and proof of financial support at the port of entry to obtain status as a J-1 scholar.
I-94 Departure Record Card and Form DS-2019
When you arrive in the United States , you must present your DS-2019 to a U. S. Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) officer. When you are admitted to the U.S., he or she will return to you the DS-2019 and issue the Form I-94 which will record your legal entry into the U.S. You should keep these important documents in your passport. You should plan to keep the DS-2019 permanently . It is also advisable, after your arrival, to photocopy the identification pages of your passport, your visa stamp, I-94 Departure Record card, and Form DS-2019 and keep them separately from the originals.
Short Trips Outside the United States
To re-enter the United States in J-1 status after a temporary absence, you will need to have the DS-2019 endorsed by your J-1 Responsible Officer confirming both your appointment at Miami University and the continuing availability of your financial support. Before endorsing the DS-2019, the Responsible Officer will first have to see proof of funding for the balance of the time remaining before the expiration date of your DS-2019. If you will be leaving North America , you will need a valid visa stamp to re-enter this country. If your visa has expired, you will have to apply for a new visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad.
Professor/Researcher category
Purpose
This information has been prepared for international scholars who have been invited to Miami University for teaching or research as J-1 Exchange Visitors. The enclosed Form DS-2019 is your certificate of eligibility for J-1 status at this school.
Limitation
A person who is outside the U.S. and wants to return to the U.S. in either the Professor or Research Scholar category, is not eligible to return to the U.S. in either of these two categories if he or she was physically present in the U.S. in any J status for more than six months of the 12-month period immediately preceding the beginning date of the appointment to Miami University. This does not apply to those who (1) were here in the Short-Term Scholar category, (2) are re-entering the U.S. in Short Term category, or (3) are here on a J visa for six months or less. If the J-1 Professor or Research Scholar is still in the U.S. and wants to transfer to Miami University in either category, he/she may do so as long as the 3-year limit has not been met.
The three-year time limit
The total stay in the United States for Exchange Visitors in the "Professor, Research Scholar or Specialist" category is limited to three years. Extensions beyond that time may be possible, but only under special circumstances. If you are now in your third year in this category, contact Molly Heidemann, Office of International Education.
The Two-year Foreign Residence Requirement
The purpose of the requirement is to have the home country benefit from the Exchange Visitor's experience in the United States . Exchange Visitors come to this country for a specific objective, such as a program of study or a research project. Not all Exchange Visitors are subject to the requirement, which is intended to prevent a participant who is subject from staying longer than necessary to achieve that objective, and to ensure that he or she will spend at least two years in the home country before coming back to the United States for a prolonged stay. For the terms of the requirement please see page two of the DS-2019. If you have questions about the requirement, including whether or not it applies to you, waiving the requirement, etc., go to: http://travel.state.gov/jvw.html.
If you are not in the United States:
Visa Stamp
To enter the United States as a J-1 Visiting Scholar under Miami University 's sponsorship, you must have a valid passport and a J-1 visa stamp in your passport. To apply for your visa, you must first pay the SEVIS fee, then take the Form DS-2019, SEVIS fee receipt, appointment letter and your passport to the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy. The Visa Officer will ask you to document all sources of funding which can include a letter of award or support, a bank statement, proof of income, etc. If your dependents will be accompanying you, they will need to take their passports and DS-2019s to the consulate and apply for a J-2 visa (J-2 dependents do not have to pay the SEVIS fee). Be prepared to show proof of marriage to your spouse and parenthood of each child, as well as written documentation of how they are to be supported during the time that they plan to be in the U.S. For visa tips and information, go to: http://travel.state.gov/visa;exchange.html
Special Note: Canadians do not need passports or visa stamps to enter the United States , but they do have to show Form DS-2019, proof of SEVIS fee payment and proof of financial support at the port of entry to obtain status as a J-1 scholar.
I-94 Departure Record card and DS-2019
When you arrive in the United States , a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will inspect your DS-2019, other documents and will stamp your I-94. You should keep the I-94 and DS-2019 in your passport. You will need them for such purposes as extending your permission to stay in the United States and re-entry to this country after temporary trips abroad during the period that the Form DS-2019 is valid. You should keep all DS-2019s permanently . It is also advisable, after your arrival, to photocopy the identification pages of your passport, your visa stamp, I-94 Departure Record card, and DS-2019 and keep them separately from the originals, for use in applying for replacements if the originals should be lost or stolen.
Transferring programs
If you are in the United States as a J-1 scholar under the sponsorship of another institution, the int'l adviser at your current school must transfer your SEVIS record to Miami University . If you hold J-1 documents issued by a government or private agency, such as IIE or the Fulbright Commission, these instructions do not apply to you, and you should consult that agency's J-1 Responsible Officer about changing schools.
If you are in the United States as an Exchange Visitor in a category other than "Professor or Research Scholar"), or if you hold a status other than J-1, please contact Molly Heidemann in the Office of International Education for further information and instructions.
Extending your permission to stay in the United States
Your permission to stay in the United States ends on the date shown on your DS-2019; do not allow it to expire! If an extension is necessary, be sure to arrange it at least two months before the expiration date shown on your Form DS-2019, in item #3. If you need an extension and the DS-2019 has expired, then you must apply to the Dept. of State for a reinstatement to status, and pay a $198 fee. Your reinstatement must be approved before you are allowed an extension. You must contact Molly Heidemann for more information.
Short trips out of the United States
To re-enter the United States in J-1 status after a temporary absence, you will need to have it endorsed by Molly Heidemann, confirming both your appointment at Miami University and the continuing availability of your financial support. Before endorsing the DS-2019, she will first have to see proof of funding for the academic year when your trip abroad will take place (the following year if you travel during the summer). If you will be leaving North America you will need a valid visa stamp to re-enter this country. If your visa has expired, you will have to apply for a new one at a U.S. Consulate. For information, go to: www.unitedstatesvisas.gov
Health care and insurance
The Requirement
As an Exchange Visitor in the United States , you must carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2 dependents for the full duration of your J program. Government regulations stipulate that if, after that date, you willfully fail to carry health insurance for yourself and your dependents, your J-1 sponsor must terminate your program, and report the termination to the U.S. Dept. of State in Washington .
The reason for the requirement - and the need for health insurance
It is unwise and very expensive to be in the United States without adequate health insurance. Although in many countries the government bears the expense of health care for its citizens, and sometimes even for visitors, individuals and families in the United States are responsible for these costs themselves. Since a single day of hospitalization and medical treatment can cost thousands of dollars, many hospitals and doctors refuse to treat uninsured patients except in life-threatening emergencies. Most Americans rely on insurance, and you should do the same. Insurance gives you access to better and more timely health care, and provides the only protection against the enormous costs of health care in this country.
How medical insurance works
When you purchase health coverage, the money you pay (your premium) is combined with the premiums of others to form a pool of money. That money is then used to pay the medical bills of those participants who need health care. Your coverage remains valid only as long as you continue to pay your insurance premiums.
Once you purchase insurance, the company will provide you with an insurance identification card for use as proof of your coverage when you are seeking health care from a hospital or doctor. The company will also provide written instructions for reporting and documenting medical expenses (filing a claim). The company will evaluate any claim that you file, and make the appropriate payment for coverage under your particular policy. In some cases the company pays the hospital or doctor directly; in others the company reimburses the policy holder after he or she has paid the bills.
Choosing an insurance policy
In choosing an insurance policy, you should consider many factors, not simply the minimum stipulated by the Dept. of State:
- The reliability of the company. Does it treat people fairly? Does it pay claims promptly? Does it have staff to answer your questions and resolve your problems?
- Deductible amounts. Most insurance policies require you to cover part of your health expenses yourself (your part is called the deductible), before the company pays anything. Under some policies the deductible is annual, and you pay only once each year if you use the insurance. Under others, you pay the deductible each time you have an illness or injury. The J regulations limit the deductible to $500 per accident or illness , but many policies offer a lower, more advantageous system of deductible benefits. In choosing insurance, you should think carefully about how much you can afford to pay out of your own pocket each time you are sick or injured, and weigh the deductible against the cost of the premium before you decide.
- Co-insurance. Usually, even after you have paid the deductible, an insurance policy pays only a percentage of your total medical expenses. The policy might pay 80%, for example, and the remaining 20%, which you would have to pay, is called the co-insurance. Thus, if you were injured and incurred $3,000 in medical expenses, a policy with a $400 deductible and 20% co-insurance would cover $2,080 (80% of $2,600). The J regulations require the insurance company to pay at least 75% of covered medical expenses.
- Specific limits. Some policies state specific dollar limits on what they will pay for particular services. Other policies pay "usual" or "reasonable and customary" charges, which means they pay what is usually charged in the local area. Be very careful in evaluating policies with specific dollar limits; for serious illnesses, the limit might be far too low and you may have large medical bills not covered by your insurance.
- Lifetime/per-occurrence maximums. Many insurance policies limit the amount they will pay for any single individual's medical bills or for any specific illness or injury. Exchange Visitors must have insurance with a maximum no lower than $50,000 for each specific illness or injury, which may be enough for most conditions. Life-threatening illnesses, however, can cost several times that amount.
- Benefit period. Some insurance policies limit the period of time they will pay for each illness or injury. In that case, after the benefit period of a condition has expired, you must pay the full cost of continuing treatment of the illness, even if you are still insured by the company. A policy with a long-term benefit period provides the best coverage.
- Exclusions. Most insurance policies exclude coverage for certain conditions. The J regulations require that if a particular activity is a part of your Exchange Visitor program, your insurance must cover injuries resulting from your participation in that activity. Read the list of exclusions carefully so that you understand exactly what is not covered by the policy.
Required insurance specifications
In addition to the deductible, co-insurance, and exclusions described in bold type in the preceding section, the Dept. of State has established the following requirements for the type and amounts of coverage you must carry if you hold J-1 or J-2 status:
- The regulations state that the policy must provide "medical benefits of at least $50,000 for each accident or illness," according to the text of the regulations. Since insurance companies cover no more than the policy-holder's expenses (minus a deductible and, under co-insurance, a percentage), and never provide a minimum amount for each accident or illness, the quoted text should be worded differently. Presumably it was intended to mean that an acceptable policy can not set a maximum lower than $50,000 in benefits for each accident and illness.
- If you should die in the United States , the policy must provide at least $7,500 in benefits to send your remains to your home country for burial.
- If, because of a serious illness or injury, you must be sent home on the advice of a doctor, the policy must pay up to $10,000 for the expenses of travel (emergency medical evacuation).
- The policy may establish a waiting period before it covers pre-existing conditions (health problems you had before you bought the insurance), as long as the waiting period is reasonable by current standards in the insurance industry.
- The policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of your home country government or the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by USIA (an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-i" or above, a Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating a "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above).
Where to find insurance information
Information is available in the Office of International Education (OIE) on insurance plans offered by various companies to provide the coverage that is needed to meet the Dept. of State requirement. Please visit the OIE (216 MacMillan Hall) immediately upon arrival to obtain this information.
Below is a list of insurance companies that have been identified by the Office of International Education who offer health insurance to international visitors. Please read the Insurance Requirement below to make sure you have purchased a policy that meets the Dept. of State requirements.
Insurance agents
An agent is an individual who represents one or more insurance companies and sells insurance to individuals and groups. When working with an agent you should feel free to ask questions and take the time to learn about and understand all of your options before making a decision. If you are uncertain or confused, don't sign anything. Consult a knowledgeable friend, or your J-1 sponsor for help.
For more information, contact Molly Heidemann.
Bringing dependents with you
See the general page on Bringing dependents with you.
|
|
