J-1 VISITING SCHOLAR PROGRAM

Home-country physical presence requirement - 212(e)

J-1 Visiting Scholars (and their J-2 dependents) are subject to the two-year home residence requirement – also known as 212(e) if their participation in the GGU School of Law Visiting Scholar program is financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by an agency of the US Government or by the government of the country of their nationality or of their last legal permanent residence.

Individuals subject to the two-year home residence requirement are required to return and reside in their home country or country of legal permanent residence for two years before they may return to the US in H, L, or K visa classification, or as a lawful permanent resident (“green card” holder). In addition, individuals who are subject to this requirement are not eligible to apply for change of status within the US.

12-Month Bar for Initial J-1 Visa Research Scholar Category

Prospective J-1 Visiting Scholars who previously participated in any J-1 visa exchange program (including as a J-2 dependent) are ineligible to receive a DS-2019 form for the Research Scholar category for a period of 12 months after ending the previous J-1 exchange program. An exception to the 12-month bar exists for J-1 Research Scholars whose prior J-1 visa exchange program was less than six months in duration or was under the J-1 Short-Term Scholar category.

24-Month Bar on Repeat Participation in J-1 Visa Research Scholar Category

J-1 Visiting Scholars who complete their GGU School of Law Visiting Scholar program in the J-1 Visa Research Scholar category become subject to a 24-month (two-year) prohibition from returning to the U.S. to commence a new J-1 exchange visitor program in Research Scholar or Professor category. This bar on repeat participation is not the same as the Two-Year Home Residence Requirement –212(e).

If you have questions regarding 212(e) or the 12 & 24-month bars, contact international@ggu.edu.

• U.S. Federal Government Fees:
  • SEVIS fee to be paid to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, available at SEVIS I-901 Fee. The SEVIS fee does not need to be paid for J-2 dependents.
  • Visa application fee paid to the U.S. Department of State, available at U.S. Department of State Visa Fees.
  • Visa issuance fee, if applicable, to be paid to the U.S. Department of State, available at U.S. Department of State Visa Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country (fee varies by country).
• GGU School of Law Fees:
  • GGU fees include tuition & recurring miscellaneous fees, available at Law School Tuition and Fees.
• Other Possible Costs:
  • Shipping Label for DS-2019 (created through the eShipGlobal system). Fee varies from country to country and shipping service selected.
  • Health Insurance, costs vary depending on Health Insurance Plan. See Health Insurance Section for more information.
  • Living expenses and costs vary depending on neighborhood/city. Review the GGU Cost of Attendance website for estimated living expenses including room and board, transportation, personal / miscellaneous.
  • International air fair or travel within the US, costs vary.

J-1 visa holders and their accompanying dependents (J-2 visa holders) are required to have medical insurance coverage during the entire period of time they are in the US in J-1 or J-2 immigration status with the minimum benefits established in the CFR – Exchange Visitor Program.

For more information about Health Insurance options, visit our Student Services page or contact international@ggu.edu.

GGU does not offer on-campus housing, however we have various housing opportunities accessible to International Students and J-1 Visiting Scholars. For more information, visit our GGU Housing Page or contact international@ggu.edu.

J-1 Visiting Scholars may enter the US up to 30 days before the program start date indicated in their DS-2019 form. Documents required at the port of entry for admission to the US:

• Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
• J-1 Visa (Canadian citizens are exempt)
• DS-2019 issued by GGU (original)
• I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Receipt
• Evidence of Financial Support
• GGU School of Law Offer Letter

The US Department of State and US Customs and Border Protection have increased the level of review international visitors face at US Consulates and Embassies abroad, US airports, and border crossing posts with Canada and Mexico.

We recommend following these suggestions carefully when traveling to the US:

• Carry proof of admission acceptance/current enrollment at GGU (Offer Letter, transcripts, etc).
• Be honest, patient, and courteous with all government officials.
• Be prepared for the following possibilities:
  • Delays in appointment scheduling and visa processing at US Consulates.
  • Change of visa processing at some US Consulates to include mail-in or "drop box" service for visa applications.
  • o Delays in flights within the US and returning to the US from abroad due to heightened security measures at airports and delays along the Canadian / Mexican border.
  • Inquiries and increased review of documents at all ports of entry for non-US citizens.
  • Multiple inspections of the same person by US Customs and Border Protection Officials.
  • Inspection of personal belongings, luggage, pockets, or other searches.

Disclaimer: Given the rapid changes to immigration regulations and practices, this information is subject to change.

No later than 10 days after J-1 Visiting Scholars arrive to the US, they must contact GGU International Student Services (international@ggu.edu) to report their arrival and attend the J-1 Visiting Scholar Orientation.

• Report Change of Address & Contact Information
  J-1 Visiting Scholars must report the following to GGU International Student Services (international@ggu.edu) within 10 days of the change:
  1. Changes in telephone number
  2. Changes in email address
  3. Changes in actual & current U.S. physical and mailing address; and
  4. Changes in site of activity (if scholar is permitted to make such a change without prior sponsor authorization)
• Maintain J-1 Program Objective
  • Registration
    J-1 Visiting Scholars must register in the following courses each academic term during their visit at GGU School of Law:
    • Visiting Scholar Residency Seminar - LLM 398 (1 unit) – Fall & Spring
    • LLM US Legal Visiting Scholar -LLM 398B (0 units) – Fall, Spring and Summer
  • Research Progress
    J-1 Visiting Scholars are required to update GGU School of Law with the progress of their research multiple times throughout their program in coordination with the program director.
  • Compliance with Law School Policies
    By accepting offer for admission, J-1 Visiting Scholars are bound by the Law School Student Handbook.
• Maintain Health Insurance

  J-1 Visiting Scholars and their J-2 dependents must maintain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 federal guidelines for the entire length of their Visiting Scholar program. For resources and requirements, please see the Health Insurance section of this page.

• Travel Endorsement

  Before any international travel, J-1 Visiting Scholars must ensure they have the necessary travel documents for their return to the US and obtain a travel signature for their DS-2019 form from GGU International Student Services (international@ggu.edu), if needed. GGU International Student Services generally recommends that the travel signature be no older than 6 months at the time of re-entry to the US.

  J-1 Visiting Scholars must carry the following documents which are required at the port of entry for admission to the US:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
  • Valid J-1 Visa (Canadian citizens are exempt)
  • DS-2019 no older than 6 months (original)
  • Evidence of Financial Support

  Note: There might be additional US government travel restrictions for foreign travelers at the time of travel to the US. For additional information, contact GGU International Student Services (international@ggu.edu).

• Employment

  J-1 Visiting Scholars may engage in occasional lectures or short-term consultations. To obtain authorization to engage in this type of employment, J-1 Visiting Scholars must contact GGU International Student Services (international@ggu.edu). Certain eligibility criteria and procedures apply.

  J-1 Visiting Scholars must not accept any unauthorized employment in the US. Unauthorized employment in the US is a reason for terminating a Visiting Scholar J-1 status on SEVIS.

J-1 Visiting Scholars who conclude their research activities on the date stipulated in their DS-2019 form may remain in the US for up to 30 days after this date to prepare for departure from the country. During these 30-day grace period, J-1 Visiting Scholars cannot:

• Extend their J-1 program on SEVIS (Extend program end date of their DS-2019 form)
• Conduct research work
• Transfer

J-1 Visiting Scholars who require more time to complete their program, must request a SEVIS program extension to GGU International Student Services (international@ggu.edu) no less than 30 days prior to the program end date of the DS-2019 form.

J-1 Visiting Scholars must inform GGU International Student Services (international@ggu.edu) if they will be ending their program more than 15 days before the program end date of the DS-2019 form.

• J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program BridgeUSA
• Welcome Brochure
• Code of Federal Regulation – Exchange Visitor Program
• Code of Federal Regulation - Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement