Disclaimer
J-1 Students
Students who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents (or currently in another status permitting study) who wish to come the United States to pursue a full course of study leading to a degree may do so in J-1 Student status.
To obtain documents for J-1 Student status sponsored by LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans, a prospective student must:
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Be unconditionally admitted to the School providing their program of study/degree; (International Services is not involved in the admissions process!)
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Document that they are able to pay all tuition and fees associated with their degree program and the living expenses for themselves and their dependents; (Go here for a current list of tuition cost and fees for each School and Program.)
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Provide copies of valid passport/travel documents for themselves and their dependents;
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Provide copies of current immigration documents, if present in the United States;
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Meet the requirements to qualify for J-1 Student status, detailed here.
Foreign national students who have been unconditionally admitted to a degree program and will apply for J-1 Student status through LSU Health Sciences Center New Orleans should complete an International Student Application Kit. A completed application kit and all required supporting documentation should be returned to the admitting School's Program Coordinator so a request can be made for International Services to issue a Form DS-2019. A Form DS-2019 will allow a prospective student (and any dependents) to apply for an entry visa at a United States Consulate abroad or, if visa exempt, admission at a Port of Entry.
Transfers: Students who are already in J-1 Student student status at another SEVP institution will also need a completed J-1 Student Transfer In form submitted with their International Student Application Kit.
- Note: Exchange Visitors who are in J-1 status at another Institution in a category other than Student (Research Scholar, Short Term Scholar, Specialist, etc.) CANNOT use the transfer process to change categories to J-1 Student. This must be accomplished through Department of State approval of a change in category or through travel and re-entry in the Student category. Please contact International Services for more information on this process.
If all requirements are met, and a DS-2019 form is issued for a student, International Services will provide additional instructions for navigating the visa and entry process, if applicable. Those instructions and details are also available here.
Initial entry: J-1 Exchange Visitors are permitted to enter the United States up to thirty (30) days prior to the report date or program start date indicated on their Form DS-2019. (See 8 CFR § 214.2(j))
Grace Period: J-1 students are permitted a 30 day grace period following the program end date listed on their most recent DS-2019. During this 30 day period:
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the student's SEVIS record will move to Inactive,
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the student is permitted to physically remain in the United States in J-1 status,
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the student is permitted to apply for a change of status, if eligible. (See 212(e) waiver issues here.)
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the student is NOT permitted to transfer their program
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the student may NOT leave the Untied States and re-enter using expired DS-2019
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the student does NOT have continuing on campus work authorization
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the student must maintain the required health, medical evacuation and repatriation insurance required by the J Regulations for themselves and their sponsored J-2 dependents.
Participation as a J Exchange Visitor or J Dependent in ANY category may subject the J-1 and J-2 to future bars to repeat program participation as a J Research Scholar or Professor. The bars are explained here.
Pursuant to LSU System Policy, PM-31, J-1/J-2 status holders are NOT eligible to establish Louisiana residency in order to receive in-state tuition at LSUHSC-New Orleans.