J-1: Travel/ Visa Information

Numerous steps must be taken prior to traveling, either before entering JMU for the first time, or while you travel over breaks from school. The information contained in this section will explain the most common steps applicable to students. Please contact ISSS if you have any questions regarding any of these steps, or any other travel issues.

SEVIS Fee

The Department of Homeland Security requires many nonimmigrant visa seekers to pay a SEVIS fee prior to going to the U.S. Consulate or Embassy to apply for their visa. This applies to all new JMU students in J-1 status unless you are transferring your DS-2019 to JMU from another U.S. school. In addition, it affects current JMU scholars and students who:

  • File an application for reinstatement when they have been out of status for more than 5 months or after a substantive violation;
  • Apply for a new visa or return to the U.S. after an absence of 5 months or more that did not involve authorized overseas study.

It is strongly recommended that this fee be paid electronically by credit card, after which you will print out a receipt immediately. The receipt is needed in order to process your request for a visa and must be obtained prior to attending your visa interview. If you are unable to pay by credit card you may pay with a money order or cashier's check through a mail service, but you must allow additional time for processing of the receipt which you must have in order to apply for your visa.

For additional information about and/or to pay this fee, see the official SEVIS instructions.

Applying for a Visa

There are several very important steps in the application of a nonimmigrant visa. Remember to follow each step carefully and be calm and professional in your approach to U.S. officials, and you will find your chance of success will increase.

The first thing you will need to do is to pay your SEVIS fee and receive a receipt for that payment.

In order to secure your nonimmigrant visa, you must visit the U.S. Consulate or Embassy nearest your home town in your country of residence. For example, if you live in the northern-most part of Chile, and the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy is in La Paz, Bolivia, you may not visit that office. You will need to travel to Santiago for your visa request. Refer yourself ot the list of all U.S. Consulates and Embassies in your country.

The U.S. Consulate or Embassy in every country has different requirements for visa applications. Some require appointments, and some take only walk-in applications. Some will require a background check and fingerprinting, which can take several months. It is important that you contact the Consulate or Embassy as soon as possible to make arrangements for your appointment.

When you do have your appointment for a J-1 student visa application, you should take the following documents:

  • A valid passport;
  • A SEVIS-generated DS-2019 issued by JMU;
  • A receipt from DHS indicating your payment of the SEVIS fee;
  • Proof of your financial ability to pay for your tuition. This can be a bank statement with personal or family funds, or documentation from a sponsor. The Consulate will want to see proof that you will be supported throughout your entire U.S. stay;
  • Proof of your ties to your home community. This could be information about the family you are leaving behind, the job opportunities available to you upon your return, property which you own, etc.

Travel out of country while in J-1 Status

While you are in the United States on a nonimmigrant visa, you are free to travel back and forth, provided you have remained in status throughout your stay. Just remember that you must ALWAYS have your DS-2019 signed by an ISSS staff member before you travel, and you will also need a valid, unexpired visa to reenter the U.S. (unless you are traveling to Canada, Mexico or contiguous islands for less than 30 days, in which case this requirement is waived.) Also keep in mind that you may need visas to enter the country where you are planning to travel if it is not your home country.

Checklist for Travel During Breaks

3 months prior to travel:

  • Check into the necessity of obtaining a visa to enter the country/countries where you plan to travel;
  • Make sure your passport will be unexpired throughout your travels, or plan to have it renewed in your home country;
  • Check the expiration date on your visa and, if necessary, make an appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy where you will be traveling to apply for renewal of the visa - for some of you the visa renewal process may be time- consuming given the extended security checks by the U.S. government. Before you travel, make every effort to find out what the procedures are at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your country to ascertain whether you will have enough time to complete the process;

1 month prior to travel:

  • Complete a Departure Form and return it to ISSS;
  • Have a staff member sign your DS-2019 - do NOT wait until the last minute to have this completed as staff members are not always available immediately;
  • Obtain a certified copy of your JMU transcript verifying your continued full-time attendance, especially if you will be renewing your visa;
  • Obtain a statement from JMU's University Business Office verifying your ability to support your studies financially, especially if you will be renewing your visa.

Renewing Your Passport

In addition to providing you with the best identification document available, a current passport is an essential part of maintaining your legal nonimmigrant status here in the United States. Please be sure that it is always valid for at least 6 months in the future. If you are traveling back home for an extended period of time (i.e., winter or summer breaks), you may find it easiest to renew your passport while there. However, if your length of travel will make renewal at home impossible, you should contact your country's embassy here in the United States for information about the steps necessary for renewal. Most countries have embassies located in Washington, DC, where you may be able to obtain the renewal in person while you wait. Some countries require a much longer waiting period, so you are encouraged to begin asking questions of your embassy eight to nine months before your passport will expire. The Electronic Embassy maintains a list of all Embassies found in Washington, D.C.

Visas into other countries

All countries have unique visa requirements based on intended length of stay, country of origin and many other factors. When traveling while on an J-1 visa, it is imperative that you check into whether you will need a visa to enter the countries you will be visiting (including any stops in transit.) Most countries have embassies located in Washington, DC, where you will likely be able to obtain any necessary visas. You are encouraged to check out information on the Embassy websites to begin the process of applying for the visa. The Electronic Embassy maintains a list of all Embassies found in Washington, D.C.