J-1 Students ONLY

Degree Seeking Students

• Available for a total of eighteen (18) months or for a period equal to the length of the study program, whichever is shorter.

• Can be extended only for postdoctoral researchers up to a maximum total of thirty-six (36) months. Students may apply for the extension at any time before the expiration of their eighteen (18)-month academic training, as long as the AT has a research component, as verified by the faculty advisor on the reverse side of this form.

Exchange Students

• One semester (Fall or Spring), students are allowed four (4) months of Academic Training after the semester is completed.

• Two-semester students (Fall and Spring) are eligible for a total of nine (9) months of Academic Training & may begin AT after completing one semester.

• Students who begin in the spring term and will continue to the Fall term may also use Academic Training to work off-campus during the summer between semesters or after completing the second (Fall) semester, not to exceed a total of nine (9) months.

Reporting Requirements

The following information must be reported to the Ivanhoe International Center during the post-completion Academic Training period of authorization within 10 days of any changes:

• Your residential address

• Your phone and email address

• If ending Academic Training early:

  • Dates of exiting the U.S. (you must provide the date of exit if you decide to exit the U.S. and complete your OPT status before the end date of your OPT)

• If your visa status changes while on Academic Training

• If the employer changes, report immediately!

Unemployment

Unemployment for students with an Academic Training authorization is not allowed. If termination of employment is necessary, consult with the Ivanhoe International Center (before the employment termination date) to determine the best way to maintain legal status in the U.S.

In general, students are allowed a 30-day grace period from the last date of employment or the end of the AT authorization period (whichever comes first) to depart the U.S., change status, or transfer the DS-2019 to a new program of study.

Changing Employers

If employment is terminated and a job offer is accepted elsewhere in the U.S., the new job must still be related to the field of study. In this case, it is required for the student to obtain a new work permit from the Ivanhoe International Center before beginning work at the new job.

Application instructions are the same as when the student originally applied for the initial Academic Training work authorization.

Note: There cannot be a gap in employment dates.

Maintaining Health Insurance

J-1 students and accompanying J-2 dependents must maintain specific health insurance coverage for the entirety of the stay in the U.S. in J status, including while on Academic Training, as required by the U.S. Department of State.

See the J-1 Health Insurance Requirements to see complete information on the required level of health insurance. Failure to maintain health insurance is a serious violation of J status.

Travel Documents Needed

Readmission to the U.S. as a J-1 student on Academic Training is at the discretion of the Customs and Border Patrol officer at the U.S. port of entry. In general, a J-1 student on Academic Training who travels outside the U.S. temporarily (i.e., less than 5 months) can be readmitted to resume employment for the remainder of the period authorized on his or her work permit issued by the Ivanhoe International Center, provided the student presents the following:

• A valid passport with a valid J-1 visa stamp on the day of entry

• Form DS-2019, endorsed by Ivanhoe International Center within the preceding 12 months (10 months recommended)

• Proof of employment (or employment offer), usually in the form of a letter from your employer on official letterhead business stationery.

Getting a J-1 Visa

If you are traveling abroad and the J-1 visa in your passport has expired, you must obtain a new one before re-entering the U.S. Students who need to apply for a new visa should consult with the Ivanhoe International Center before travel to discuss the visa application process and possible risks.

After AT is finished, J-1 students have a 30-day period in which to leave the U.S. Any other plans (transfer, change of status, etc.) must be arranged before the end of the AT and DS-2019 end date.

After departure from the U.S., students may NOT re-enter using their J-1 visa and DS-2019 documents.

If you plan to continue for another semester at South Dakota Mines or transfer to another school, contact our office as soon as possible.