J-1 Exchange Visitors
Allegheny maintains a small but active exchange visitor program. We currently sponsor J-1 exchange visitors in the following categories: Professors, Research Scholars, Short-Term Scholars, Specialists, and non-degree students/interns.
Entering the United States
A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry and request permission to enter the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials at the port-of-entry have authority to permit or deny admission to the United States.
- After you present your passport, visa, and Form DS-2019 at the port-of-entry, a CBP official will make the decision on your entry. Once you are allowed to enter the United States, the CBP official will provide an admission stamp or paper Form I-94, Arrival/Departure Record.
- Learn about procedures for entering the United States: Arrival Procedures for Students or Exchange Visitors
Maintaining Legal Immigration Status
It is very important for exchange visitors to maintain legal status while they are in the U.S. Exchange visitors who fall “out of status” are considered illegally residing in the U.S. and subject to penalties.
- Maintain required documents
- Passport valid for at least six months beyond planned departure date.
- Valid DS-2019
- Accurate I-94 admission record
- Report changes to information
- All changes to U.S. address, phone number or email must be reported to ISS within 10 calendar days of the change.
- Maintain valid health insurance (see below)
- Comply with requirements of your visa category and program objectives
- Do NOT engage in employment within the United States without prior authorization from ISS.
Health Insurance Requirements for Exchange Visitors
Exchange visitors are required by the U.S. government to have health insurance coverage in effect for the duration of their program. Insurance must include:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
- An insurance policy must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of “A-” or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-I” or above, a Standard and Poor’s Claims Paying Ability rating of “A-” or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above. Alternatively, the sponsor may ascertain that the participant’s policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country.
Exchange visitors may opt to enroll in the Allegheny College health insurance plan through United Health Care, but must pay for the premium themselves.
Exchange visitors are required to provide proof of insurance prior to arrival at Allegheny.
