Extension Procedures

This page outlines the procedures to follow if you need to extend your permission to stay at Georgia State University to accomplish your original program objective as a J-1 exchange visitor.

Duration of J-1 Status

To determine that amount of time that you can remain in the United States, look at your I-94 Departure Record card (a small white card given to you upon entry into the United States, usually stapled into your passport) and your Form DS-2019 ("Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status"):

If your I-94 Departure Record card is marked "J-1 D/S", your J-1 status in the United States expires on the program end date shown in item #3 of your Form DS-2019. If your I-94 Departure Record card is marked with a specific date, your J-1 status in the United States expires on that date.

Your J-1 Responsible Officer

To extend your permission to stay in the United States, you must first obtain a new Form DS-2019 from your J-1 Responsible Officer, who will need proof of your eligibility for extension before issuing the form.

If your J-1 sponsor is Georgia State University, then your Responsible Officer is the Scholar Advisor in the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) office at Georgia State University.

If your J-1 sponsor is another agency, and if you are uncertain how to reach your Responsible Officer, Georgia State's scholar adviser will help you find out.

Eligibility for Extension

You are eligible to apply for an extension of stay if:

you are working toward the program objective indicated in section 4 of your most recent Form DS-2019,
you are maintaining your status as a J-1 Exchange Visitor,
you can demonstrate adequate funding for yourself and any J-2 dependents during the period of the proposed extension (at least $1513/month for yourself, $500/month for your spouse, and $300/month for each child under 21)
you and your J-2 dependents are currently maintaining and will continue to maintain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 requirements, and
your extension will not carry you beyond five years in the United States as a J-1 Visiting Professor or Research Scholar, or beyond six months in the United States as a J-1 Short Term Scholar.

Procedures

At least two weeks before the end date on your current Form DS-2019, submit the following documents to the Scholar Advisor in ISSS.

1. J-1 Exchange Visitor Request Form

The GSU host department must complete this form and submit supporting documents listed below. All items A-I must be completed and the appropriate signatures obtained.

2. Letter from J-1 scholar

The J-1 scholar must write a letter requesting the extension, and explaining why an extension is needed in order to compelte the original program objective.

3. Letter from GSU host department

The GSU host department must write a letter supporting the extension request. The letter must be on university letterhead and include the following information:

- description of the activities in which the J-1 scholar will engage
- dates of the requested extension period (MM/DD/YYYY - MM/DD/YYYY)
- reasons an extension is needed in order to complete the original program objectve
- funding/salary to be offered by Georgia State University (if any)

4. Proof of funding

Evidence of sufficient funding for the J-1 scholar and all J-2 dependents must be provided. Funding documentation must be original, in English, not older than one year, on the official letterhead of the funding organization, and specify the amount of funds available in U.S. dollars. Documentation of monthly salary must confirm that the salary will continue to be paid for the period of extension. If Georgia State University will provide funding, state the total amount provided for the extension period in the GSU support letter described above.

The required minimum monthly funding amounts are:

J-1 scholar: $1513 per month for the amount of time requested in the extension

J-2 spouse: $500 per month for the amount of time requested in the J-1's extension

J-2 child: $300 per month for the amount of time requested in the J-1's extension

5. Proof of Health Insurance

The J-1 scholar must provide documentation showing proof of current health insurance coverage for him/herself and all accompanying J-2 dependents that meets all of the following requirements, as mandated by U.S. law:

- At least US $50,000 coverage for each personal accident or illness
- At least US $7500 for coverage of repatriation of remains
- At least US $10,000 for coverage of medical evacuation to scholar's home country
- A deductible no greater than US $500 per accident or illness
- The insurance company must be underwritten by an insurance corporation holding 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 of "A-" or above; or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above.

6. J-1 Insurance Compliance Statement (click here for form)

The J-1 scholar must complete and sign this form.

After approving your documents, your J-1 responsible officer will, within five (5) business days, issue you a new Form DS-2019 extending your stay. If your I-94 card has been marked with a "D/S," then the extension is complete. If your I-94 card is marked with a specific end date rather than "D/S", contact the Scholar Advisor in ISSS immediately; you may need to travel outside the United States in order to complete your extension.

Caution! Extension of your permission to stay is your responsibility. If you stay beyond your authorized end date, you will be illegally present in the United States. Make certain that you apply well in advance if you need to extend your stay.

Related Documents

J-1 Extension Procedures (PDF)

J-1 Exchange Visitor (Scholar) Request Form

J-1 Insurance Compliance Statement