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Keeping Your Sevis Record Open

 

SEVIS has an Out of Country functionality that allows ISSS to notify the Department of Homeland Security / US Department of State that a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar is participating in his or her exchange program for a one-time only period of six or fewer months during her/his program outside the US. The record remains in Active SEVIS status during that period.

Please note that if the J-1 Exchange Visitor will depart the US again for 31 days or more after this one-time only period, it is inappropriate for our office to keep the SEVIS record open.  In this case, ISSS will complete the current J program, and the individual can return later in either J-1/ Short-Term Scholar status (which requires payment of a new SEVIS fee) or possibly another appropriate status.  Failure to maintain status will cause the SEVIS record and DS-2019 to be inactivated, compromising eligibility to participate in the Exchange Visitor program and return to the U.S.

 

Out Of Country Authorization

Situations That Do Not Require “Out-of-Country” Authorization
  • If a J-1 professor/research scholar is vacationing outside the U.S. for 30 days or less in agreement with the department, no permission from ISSS is required (ISSS signature on DS-2019 still required)
  • If the J-1 professor/research scholar is an instructor and will be outside the U.S. during a term in which the department does not require the EV to teach, but s/he will return the following term to resume teaching responsibilities (i.e. Summer sessions).
  • If the J-1 professor/research scholar is leaving the U.S. and will not be pursuing the J-1 program objective. In this case, the J-1 Scholar Notice of Departure form must be submitted, indicating ISSS should end the J-1 program. In this case, the 24 month bar will go into effect 
  • If none of these situations apply, the academic department should write a letter describing the situation. The research scholar/professor must arrange an appointment to meet and discuss it with Sarah Froberg in ISSS.
Procedures Department Must Follow to Obtain Continuing Program Out-of-Country Authorization
  • Submit an Out of Country Event Request, signed by both the J-1 professor/research scholar and the hosting department contact, with supporting documentation.
  • Remind J-1 Scholar that a valid travel signature is required on the DS-2019 in order to return to the U.S.
During the absence, the department must:
  • Continue to supervise the J-1 professor/research scholar while he/she is out of the country
  • Notify ISSS if there is any change in the purpose, activities, or dates of the EV's “Out-of-Country” period.
  • In the event that the J-1 professor/research scholar will not return to ISSS after his/her absence, coordinate with the visitor to file a J-1 Scholar Notice of Departure form with ISSS so we may end the J-1 status and SEVIS record.
During the absence, the J-1 Visitor must:
  • Ensure that J-2 dependents depart the U.S. with the J-1 professor/research scholar
  • Continue to maintain status and comply with the regulations of the Exchange Visitor program
  • Report to department administrator any changes in purpose, activities, or dates as indicated in this request form
  • Maintain a permanent (foreign) and current (last residential address in the U.S.) address and update ISSS within 10 days of any change
  • Maintain an ISSS email address
  • Maintain health insurance that meets US Dept of State Criteria
  • Read over information regarding travel at www.temple.edu/isss/immigration/travel-h1b.html
  • Inform ISSS and my department if flight schedule changes.
  • Email ISSS a copy of new I-94 [www.cbp.gov/i94] (J-1 as well as J-2 dependents) upon reentry into the US () 
  • Inform ISSS of address and/or name change within 10 days from moving/name change.
Health Insurance Requirements and Responsibilities

J-1 Exchange Visitors (and J-2 Dependents) are required to maintain insurance coverage as long as the J-1 Exchange Visitor SEVIS record is active, whether or not the EV is physically present in the U.S.