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Overview Student Immigration Definitions Obtaining J-1 Exchange Visitor Student Category Status at Columbia Transfer of J-1 Supervision Change of Status to F-1 Potential Delays in Visa Issuance Dependents Student Tax Information Important Information for Canadian Students Maintaining J-1 Status DS-2019 Recertification Health Insurance Overview for J-1 Students J-1 Travel Information DHS Information on Arrival Problems J-1 Extension of Stay (Current Program) J-1 Extension of Stay to Begin New Program J-1Reinstatement J-1 Work Opportunities J-1 On-Campus Work Request J-1 Academic Training Employment Authorization for J-2 J-1 Leave of Absence, Suspension or Withdrawal Student Departure Information Home Country Residency Requirement J-1 Last Term Authorization Address Change Form |
Important Information for Canadian Students Obligation to Comply with Immigration Regulations In terms of immigration regulations,
the only difference between Canadians and other international students
coming to the United States is that Canadian citizens are not required to apply for an entry visa
at a U.S. consulate. Some Canadians have mistakenly assumed that other regulations that apply to international students do not apply to them. Canadians are subject to the same regulations regarding employment in the United States, requirement for full-time study and all other provisions for maintaining status. Other than applying for a visa, it is important that you read about and abide by all other provisions relating to J-1 status. It is especially important for Canadian students to be vigilant about entering the United States in proper student status, as immigration inspectors are accustomed to admitting Canadian citizens as visitors. Obtaining J-1 Student Status To enter the U.S. in J-1 student
status, Canadians must present the items listed below to the immigration inspector:
After the immigration inspector reviews your documents,
you will be given an I-94 Admission/Departure card to complete. Be sure
to look at your I-94 card before you leave the inspection area to ensure
that it has the notations "J-1 D/S" written on it. ALL international students, including Canadian students, must have a correctly annotated I-94 card to confirm current J-1 status. If your I-94 card does not have "J-1" "D/S", you are considered to be in Visitor (B-2) status, a status which does not permit study in the U.S. If You are
Already in the U.S.
Currently in a status other than J-1 - Students who do not plan
to leave the U.S. before beginning studies at Columbia, and are currently
in an immigration status other than J-1 are required to change status by
application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). In general, non-immigrants who are maintaining lawful status may apply for a change of status to J-1. You should review the detailed
information in Application for Change to J-1 Student Status and consult an ISSO adviser
or IAO adviser for more information or if you have questions or concerns or to review your application before submitting it to USCIS. Currently in J-1 Status at Another Institution and transferring to
Columbia - Students enrolled in another U.S. school under J-1 immigration
status who are planning to enroll at Columbia University and want to continue in J-1 status should refer to the information in Transfer of J-1 Supervision. Continuing Students in J-1
Status at Columbia University - If you are completing one program
at Columbia and are planning to pursue another degree or program at the
University, DHS must be notified. The ISSO needs to issue you a new DS-2019
for the new program within 30 days of your completion date on your current
DS-2019 or within 30 days of completion of your program, whichever is earlier.
Contact the ISSO about qualifying for and obtaining a new DS-2019. If You Will Be Accompanied
By Dependents - If your dependents - spouse or unmarried children under 21 years of age
- will accompany you to the U.S. or join you shortly after your arrival,
you will need to provide the ISSO or the IAO with additional documentation
showing your sufficient funding to meet your dependents' expenses and
copies of their passport ID pages. A DS-2019 will then be issued for each
of your dependents which they will use to enter the U.S. in J-2 status. You
may request a DS-2019 for your dependents at any time during your stay at
Columbia. Note that dependents are not required to pay the SEVIS fee. Last Reviewed: 22 February 2011 Last modified: 22 February 2011 |