J-1 Scholar Responsibilities & Work Regulations

J-1 Scholars are responsible for learning, understanding, and complying with U.S. federal laws and regulations governing J-1 visa status. Failure to do so may violate the scholar’s legal status in the United States. These responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following:

J-1 scholars must have in-person requirements due to the exchange visitor nature of this program.  J-1 scholars cannot be designated as fully remote. If J-1 scholars are designated as hybrid, they can only telework a maximum of 2 days per week.

Email your IS Advisor to report changes with 10 days. J-1 Scholars should also report a change of email address for their J-2 spouse.

J-1 Scholars may conduct research or teach only at Georgetown University unless specifically authorized ahead of time by OGS to give a lecture or consult at another institution. Scholars must contact their IS Advisor if invited to speak or consult at another institution prior to completing any work.

Scholars must depart the United States within 30 days of the expiration of the Form DS-2019 or program end date, whichever is earlier unless they have applied for a change of status.

J-1 Scholars are required to notify their IS Advisor if they plan to leave the University before the expiration date on the DS-2019.

Scholars in the Research Scholar or Professor categories are subject to a two-year bar on repeat participation in these categories. If scholars plan to come back to the United States in J-1 status in the future, they should discuss their plans with their IS Advisor.

Scholars are permitted entry into the United States in J-1 status to pursue a research or teaching program. All J-1 Scholars must fully participate in the Georgetown University academic program for which they have been approved.

In accordance with the Department of State (DoS) J-1 guidelines:

OGS must enter the scholar as “out of country” if they are continuing their J-1 program activities or end their J-1 program if they are not.
J-2 dependents must depart the United States, as they may not remain in the United States without the J-1 scholar.

Additionally, at a minimum, at least 50% of a J-1 scholar’s program, as indicated on the DS-2019 form, must be spent in the United States.

*Note: The annual winter break and summer vacation for teaching faculty are exceptions to this rule.

Scholars must notify their IS Advisor whenever there is a change in the academic program or program dates.

Scholars who have been marked subject to 212(e), the two-year home residency requirement, are not eligible for a change of status inside the United States or for the H visa, the L visa or Permanent Residency until they have spent two years in their home country following the completion of their J-1 program or have received a waiver of this requirement from the U.S. Department of State DoS/U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Scholars should consult with their IS Advisor prior to applying for a waiver to discuss the implications on their status.

Travel signatures are valid for one year or until the expiration date of the Form DS-2019, whichever is earlier.

Scholars must apply for an extension before the DS-2019 expires if they intend to remain at Georgetown. 

Scholars must receive authorization from their IS Advisor before leaving Georgetown if they wish to transfer to another institution.

J-1 Scholars must maintain adequate health insurance for themselves and any dependents in J-2 status throughout their stay in the United States. This insurance must meet the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of State.