Travel

When traveling within the United States, J-1 scholars and their J-2 accompanying dependents should carry their immigration documents with them. Whenever traveling outside the U.S., J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents should carry the following documents for presentation at a U.S. Consulate abroad and/or to the Customs and Border Protection officers when re-entering the U.S.:

• Passport valid for at least six months into the future on the date of re-entry
• Valid Form DS-2019 (signed for travel by an ISSS advisor within the last 12 months).
  • Signatures are valid for 12 months from the date of signing, or until the end of your J-1 program, whichever is sooner.
  • If you or your dependents need a travel signature, please log into the ISSS Portal and complete the J-1/J-2 Exchange Visitor Travel Signature Request under “J-1 Scholar Services”.
• Valid J-1 U.S. visa stamp. See the visa stamp handout for suggestions on documentation for the visa interview at the U.S. Embassy.
  • On September 6, 2025 and effective immediately, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has updated its instructions for all nonimmigrant visa applicants who are scheduling visa interview appointments:
    • Applicants for U.S. nonimmigrant visas should schedule their visa interview appointments at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or residence.
    • Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine nonimmigrant visa operations must apply at the designated embassy or consulate (see list here), unless their residence is elsewhere.
• Proof of health insurance coverage that meets the minimum requirements of the J-1 regulations.
• Financial information to document the funding indicated in item #5 on their Form DS-2019 and your J-1 invitation letter.
• A J-2 visa holders should carry the same documents listed above, as well as a marriage certificate and/or birth certificates of children with certified translations if they are not in English. All J-2 visa holders must have their own DS-2019 that has been signed for travel by an ISSS advisor within the last 12 months.
  • Signatures are valid for 12 months (six months for short-term visitors) from the date of signing, or until the end of the J-1 program, whichever is sooner.

Length of time abroad

The Department of State has stated that for J program purposes, the J-1 principal remains in valid “program status” during a short absence abroad. DOS has indicated that they consider an absence from the U.S. of more than 30 days as a break in program status. Absences of longer than 30 days must be approved in writing by an ISSS advisor prior to departure. Since J-2 dependent status is connected to the J-1 visitor, J-2 dependents may not remain in the U.S. while the J-1 visitor is absent from the U.S. for a period of over 30 days. If you are planning to be outside of the U.S. for over 30 days, please log into the ISSS Portal and complete an Extended Travel Request (30+ Days).

If employment at UNC-CH is part of the J-1 EV Program, then the J-1 exchange visitor must either be in an approved period of leave, or if they will be engaging in any work activities while abroad, have an approved teleworking request before ISSS can approve the travel. See University Employees section below.

University Employees

Regardless of the time abroad, UNC-CH employees in J-1 status must obtain the appropriate approvals before engaging in international travel. Please see below:

• Personal Travel: must be in an approved period of leave for the time they are abroad. May not engage in any work activities unless they have an approved telework request
• International Telework: must have an approved teleworking request to engage in any work activities while abroad, regardless of time abroad.

Additionally, employees engaging in University-Affiliated international travel must review and follow the guidelines on the UNC Global Affairs website.

SEVIS Fee

Scholars already in J-1 status who are applying for an extension of their J-1 visa stamp are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.  For further questions on the SEVIS fee, submit a Questions for ISSS e-form in the ISSS Portal.  J-2 Dependents are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.