Current Students

In order to maintain legal status, a KU sponsored J-1 student must:

• Keep passport valid (at least 6 months into the future);
• Always carry I-94 card;
• Complete 12 hours each semester if undergraduate; 9 hours if graduate student ;
• Always visit with an ISSS advisor BEFORE dropping any classes;
• Request an extension PRIOR to current DS-2019 expiration date in item #3;
• Get a new DS-2019 for any change in major or degree level;
• Report any change of address to PeopleSoft/ KU Enroll & Pay system and to ISSS;
• Do NOT work off campus without authorization;
• Do NOT work on campus more than 20 hours per week while school is in session;
• Tell KU if you plan to transfer out;
• Get an ISSS advisor signature if traveling outside the U.S.;
• After you finish your degree, leave the U.S. within 30 days;
• Follow Special Registration requirements, if applicable;
• Carry health insurance for yourself and your J-2s dependents throughout entire program;
• and ALWAYS read emails from ISSS (International Student Electronic News).

Program Sponsor
The program sponsor, noted in Section #2 of the student’s DS-2019, is the agency or educational 
institution that is responsible for coordinating the participant’s J-1 program. This is not necessarily
the same as the financial sponsor.  Students that are not sponsored by KU will need to seek advice
from their respective program sponsor or RO/ARO.

Responsible Officer/Alternate Responsible Officer (RO/ARO)
The RO/ARO is a designated official who is authorized to process and sign J-1 documents on 
behalf of the J-1 program sponsor noted in Section #2 of the student’s DS-2019. 

Two Year Home Residency Requirement-INA Section 212(e)
Some J-1 students are subject to this requirement and some are not. Students receiving direct 
funding from the U.S. government or their home government will be subject. There is also a 
Skills List, established between the U.S. government and the individual student’s home 
government. Students studying a skill on the list for their country will be subject to the 
requirement. Those individuals who are subject must return home for two years before they can 
apply for permanent residence, a H visa, or a L visa. If subject to the two years, exchange visitors
cannot apply for any type of change of status from within the U.S. Waivers of this requirement 
are few, difficult and time-consuming.  If the J-1 is subject to the two years, all J-2 dependents 
are subject as well. An on-line survey to help determine if the two-year requirement applies can 
be found at https://j1visawaiverrecommendation.state.gov. For further information about the waiver 
process, refer to the U.S. Department of State’s website: 
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1288.html.