Current Scholars

Report change of address, U.S. phone number, and email address by contacting Slater at slatercenter@wellesley.edu or by making an appointment to speak with an advisor. You must report an address change within 10 days of the change.

Your legal J-1 visa/immigration status is only valid as long as you are maintaining your appointment with Wellesley and are engaging in research and/or teaching at Wellesley as noted on your Form DS-2019.

J-1 Exchange Visitors are only allowed to receive payment as specifically noted on the Form DS-2019 unless given prior written authorization from the J Exchange Visitor program sponsor.

For detailed information, please book an appointment to speak with an advisor.

• Extending Program: Contact your department 4 months prior to the end date on your Form DS-2019. The Provost must submit a J Notice of Extension or Departure to Slater. Please note that you must receive your extended Form DS-2019 prior to the end date of your current DS-2019 to ensure a continuation of your legal visa/immigration status and to avoid accruing unlawful presence.
• Keep your passport valid: Contact your home country embassy or consulate should your passport require renewal.

Before any international travel, ensure you will have the necessary travel documents for your return and obtain a travel signature from Slater if needed. You can come to Slater during Document Pickup Hours (listed in the sidebar of this webpage) to receive a fresh travel signature if needed.

The Department of Homeland Security allows Exchange Visitors an additional period of 30 days following the end date of their Form DS-2019 to prepare for departure:

• Slater cannot extend a J program during the 30-day grace period.
• Exchange Visitors cannot conduct research/teach/work or get paid during the 30-day grace period.
• Your immigration record cannot be transferred during the 30-day grace period.

J-1 scholars must inform both the host department and Slater International Center if they will be ending their program more than 15 days before the end date of the Form DS-2019.

J-1 scholars must inform the Slater International Center if accompanying J-2 dependents’ final departure from the U.S. is prior to the scholars’ departure date.

You, and your J-2 dependents, must maintain health insurance coverage that meets J-1 federal guidelines for the entire length of your program.

If you plan on traveling outside the U.S., please make sure that all your documents are in proper order prior to your departure to avoid any complications when re-entering the U.S.

J-1 Scholars re-entering the U.S. should travel with the following documents:

• Passport
• Form DS-2019 with a travel endorsement signature no more than six months old.
• Valid J-1 Entry Visa in your passport.
• A copy of your current letter of appointment from Wellesley.