1. Complete orientation and check-in within 10 days of your start date. First, submit the J-1 New Scholar Arrival form on ISSS Link (found under the Pre-Arrival & Orientation menu). Then, you will receive instructions about J-1 scholar orientation.

2. Get health insurance for yourself and your family. If you do not have health insurance that meets federal requirements through Emory, your home government, or another sponsoring organization, you will need to purchase an alternative plan such as those offered by ISO (International Student Insurance) and ISP (International Student Protection). Report your insurance information through ISSS Link during your first week in the US. 

3. Make normal progress toward completing your exchange program. You must participate full time in your exchange program, make normal progress, and complete your activities by the end date on your DS-2019. During this time, you are also expected to participate in cultural activities. If there are any changes or delays in your program, contact your ISSS Advisor right away so that your DS-2019 can be revised accordingly.

• J-1 Activities - As a J-1 scholar at Emory, you may conduct research, teach, or observe. You may take a class or two as long as it is incidental to your program and does not delay or interfere with your progress. Since you are here as a J-1 scholar and not as a J-1 student, you cannot enroll in coursework full time.
• Occasional Lectures and Consultations - Contact your ISSS Advisor immediately if you have been invited by another institution to give a lecture or consultation, as it must be authorized in SEVIS in advance. Learn more >>
• Although a J-1 scholar may be funded by a non-Emory entity, they cannot perform services for a non-Emory entity (including overseas entities) while in the US in J-1 status

4. Complete annual evaluation. You and your department must complete an annual J-1 program evaluation. ISSS will email you and your department three weeks before it is due each year.

5. Get a new DS-2019 if there will be any changes to your program, including promotions, switching departments, changing between full time and part time, etc. Learn more >>

6. Update ISSS prior to any change in your site of activity. Your department will be able to update this information in ISSS Link. Learn more >>

7. Maintain valid immigration documents for yourself and your J-2 dependents at all times. Your passport must always be valid at least 6 months into the future. Log in to ISSS Link to report any updates to immigration documents.

8. Let us know when you plan to travel. If you travel outside the US, including brief trips to Canada and Mexico, you will need to complete the Travel Information Update form in ISSS Link (under the General Services menu). If you are traveling within the US, we recommend that you carry your passport, DS-2019, and I-94 information with you, particularly when traveling through airports and outside Atlanta. Find more information about travel here.

• Out-of-country activities:Under limited circumstances, you may be allowed you to perform J-1 activities while outside the US. Your hosting department will need to submit a request in ISSS Link, and your ISSS Advisor must approve the activity in advance and report it in SEVIS.

9. Keep your contact information current. Immigration regulations require you to keep your personal information current. If your residential address, email, or phone number changes during your stay at Emory, report the change within 10 calendar days.

10. File an income tax return in April every year. Tax info >>

11. Leave the US at the right time. Leave the US by the end of the 30-day grace period after you finish your program unless have applied to change your status. If your SEVIS record is terminated early, there is no grace period, and you'll have to leave the US immediately. If you have a J-2 dependent who decides to leave the US early, report their departure using the Dependent Departure/Removal form in ISSS Link within 10 calendar days. 

12. Notify ISSS (isss@emory.edu) within 24 hours of any serious problem or controversy. This includes anything that could be expected to bring the Department of State, yourself, or Emory’s exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute, including conviction of a crime, potential litigation related to an Emory’s J-1 program in which you may be a named party, serious accident or injury, or sexual abuse allegations.

13. J-2 dependent Information:

• Reporting requirements for J-2 dependents: J-1 scholars must report J-2 dependent information, including email, phone number, and residential address (if different than J-1’s residential address) and must report any changes within 10 calendar days in ISSS Link. 
• Employment: J-2 dependents can apply for employment authorization from USCIS. However, any employment earnings must not be used to support the J-1 exchange visitor but should only be used for recreational purposes. Before beginning employment, J-2s must apply for and receive an employment authorization document (EAD card).
• Study: J-2 dependents can study in the US as long as it is not the primary reason they are here. J-2 children may study full time at an elementary or secondary school (kindergarten through 12th grade). 
• J-2 departure or status change: If your dependent changes status or decides to return home and will not return to the US, you are required to report their departure in ISSS Link within 10 calendar days so that their SEVIS record can be closed.

1. Attend scholar orientation within 10 days of your start date. First complete the Scholar Arrival: H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1 form on ISSS Link (found under the Pre-Arrival & Orientation menu). Then, schedule your orientation with your ISSS Advisor.

2. Obtain approval from ISSS for any changes to your H-1B employment before they take place. Your H-1B employment terms and conditions must not deviate from the approved H-1B petition. All changes must be reviewed by ISSS in advance. An amendment petition to USCIS may be required. Changes can include, but are not limited to:

• Position title
• Salary (other than annual merit adjustments)
• Duties
• Work location(s), including working from home
• Position requirements
• Extensions
• Travel requirements
• Promotions
• Leave of absence
• Full-time to Part-time (Emory does not sponsor part-time H-1Bs)
• Concurrent employment proposals
• Transfers to a different department

Learn more about changes to your position here.

3. Maintain valid immigration documents. This includes always keeping your passport valid 6 months into the future. Log in to ISSS Link to report any updates to immigration documents. If you see any errors on your immigration documents, contact your ISSS Advisor immediately.

4. Keep your contact information current. Immigration regulations require you to keep your personal information current. If your residential address, email, or phone number changes during your stay at Emory, report the change within 10 calendar days.

5. Let us know when you plan to travel. If you travel outside the US, including brief trips to Canada and Mexico, you will need to complete the Travel Information Update form in ISSS Link (under the General Services menu). If you are traveling within the US, we recommend that you carry your passport, H-1B approval notice, and I-94 information with you, particularly when traveling through airports and outside Atlanta. Find more information about travel here.

6. Following appropriate procedures during a government site visit. Learn more about these steps. 

7. File an income tax return in April every year. Tax info >>

8. Leave the US at the right time. As an H-1B scholar, you may be granted a 10-day grace period in which to depart the U.S. Your I-94 must properly indicate whether this grace period was granted upon your last entrance to the U.S. If the date on the I-94 is 10 days after the approved end date on the I-797 approval notice, you should depart the US by that date. You cannot work during that 10-day grace period. However, if you are leaving Emory University early for any reason – resignation or termination – before your H-1B approval end date, you must inform ISSS before your last day at Emory.

9. Changing your immigration status. Contact ISSS if you are interested in applying for a different immigration status. Find more information about changing your H-1B to another non-immigrant visa here. Information about the permanent residency process can be found here.

10. H-4 dependents may study in the US as long as it is not the primary reason they are in the US. H-4 children are not eligible to work in the US, but certain H-4 spouses may be eligible apply for work authorization at certain stages of the permanent residency application process.

1. Attend scholar orientation within 10 days of your start date. First complete the Scholar Arrival: H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1 form on ISSS Link (found under the Pre-Arrival & Orientation menu). Then, schedule your orientation with your ISSS Advisor.

2. Obtain approval from ISSS for any changes to your O-1 employment before they take place. Your O-1 employment terms and conditions must not deviate from the approved O-1 petition. All changes must be reviewed by ISSS in advance. An amendment petition to USCIS may be required. Changes can include, but are not limited to:

• Position title
• Salary (other than annual merit adjustments)
• Duties
• Position requirements
• Extensions
• Travel requirements
• Promotions
• Leave of absence
• Full-time to Part-time (Emory does not sponsor part-time O-1s)
• Concurrent employment proposals
• Transfers to a different department

Learn more about changes to your position here.

3. Maintain valid immigration documents. This includes always keeping your passport valid 6 months into the future. Log in to ISSS Link to report any updates to immigration documents. If you see any errors on your immigration documents, contact your ISSS Advisor immediately.

4. Keep your contact information current. Immigration regulations require you to keep your personal information current. If your residential address, email, or phone number changes during your stay at Emory, report the change within 10 calendar days.

5. Let us know when you plan to travel. If you travel outside the US, including brief trips to Canada and Mexico, you will need to complete the Travel Information Update form in ISSS Link (under the General Services menu). If you are traveling within the US, we recommend that you carry your passport, O-1 approval notice, and I-94 information with you, particularly when traveling through airports and outside Atlanta. Find more information about travel here.

6. File an income tax return in April every year. Tax info >>

7. Leave the US at the right time. As an O-1 scholar, you may be granted a 10-day grace period in which to depart the U.S. Your I-94 must properly indicate whether this grace period was granted upon your last entrance to the U.S. If the date on the I-94 is 10 days after the approved end date on the I-797 approval notice, you should depart the US by that date. You cannot work during that 10-day grace period. However, if you are leaving Emory University early for any reason – resignation or termination – before your O-1 approval end date, you must inform ISSS before your last day at Emory.

8. Changing your immigration status. Contact ISSS if you are interested in applying for a different immigration status. Find more information about changing your O-1 to another non-immigrant visa here.

9. O-3 Dependents may study in the US as long as it is not the primary reason they are in the US. O-3 dependents cannot work in the US.

1. Attend scholar orientation within 10 days of your employment start date. First complete the Scholar Arrival: H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1 form on ISSS Link (found under the Pre-Arrival & Orientation menu). Then, schedule your orientation with your ISSS Advisor.

2. Obtain approval from ISSS for any changes to your TN employment before they take place. Your TN employment terms and conditions must not deviate from the approved TN petition. All changes must be reviewed by ISSS in advance. An amendment petition to USCIS may be required. Changes can include, but are not limited to:

• Position title
• Salary (other than annual merit adjustments)
• Duties
• Position requirements
• Extensions
• Travel requirements
• Promotions
• Leave of absence
• Full-time to Part-time (Emory does not sponsor part-time TNs)
• Concurrent employment proposals
• Transfers to a different department

Learn more about changes to your position here.

3. Maintain valid immigration documents. This includes always keeping your passport valid 6 months into the future. Log in to ISSS Link to report any updates to immigration documents. If you see any errors on your immigration documents, contact your ISSS Advisor immediately.

4. Keep your contact information current. Immigration regulations require you to  keep your personal information current. If your residential address, email, or phone number changes during your stay at Emory, report the change within 10 calendar days.

5. Let us know when you plan to travel. If you travel outside the US, including brief trips to Canada and Mexico, you will need to complete the Travel Information Update form in ISSS Link (under the General Services menu). If you are traveling within the US, we recommend that you carry your passport, H-1B approval notice, and I-94 information with you, particularly when traveling through airports and outside Atlanta. Find more information about travel here.

6. File an income tax return in April every year. Tax info >>

7. Leave the US at the right time. Make plans to depart on the admit until date on your I-94. However, if you are leaving Emory University early for any reason – resignation or termination – before your TN end date, you must inform ISSS before your last day at Emory.

8. Changing your immigration status. Contact ISSS if you are interested in applying for a different immigration status. Find more information about changing your TN to another non-immigrant visa here.

9. TD Dependents may study in the US as long as it is not the primary reason they are in the US. TD dependents cannot work in the US.

1. Attend scholar orientation within 10 days of your start date. First complete the Scholar Arrival: H-1B, E-3, TN, O-1 form on ISSS Link (found under the Pre-Arrival & Orientation menu). Then, schedule your orientation with your ISSS Advisor.

2. Obtain approval from ISSS for any changes to your E-3 employment before they take place. Your E-3 employment terms and conditions must not deviate from the E-3 sponsorship letter. All changes must be reviewed by ISSS in advance. An amendment petition to USCIS may be required. Changes can include, but are not limited to:

• Position title
• Salary (other than annual merit adjustments)
• Duties
• Position requirements
• Extensions
• Travel requirements
• Promotions
• Leave of absence
• Full-time to Part-time (Emory does not sponsor part-time E-3s)
• Concurrent employment proposals
• Transfers to a different department

Learn more about changes to your position here.

3. Maintain valid immigration documents. This includes always keeping your passport valid 6 months into the future. Log in to ISSS Link to report any updates to immigration documents. If you see any errors on your immigration documents, contact your ISSS Advisor immediately.

4. Keep your contact information current. Immigration regulations require you to keep your personal information current. If your residential address, email, or phone number changes during your stay at Emory, report the change within 10 calendar days.

5. Let us know when you plan to travel. If you travel outside the US, including brief trips to Canada and Mexico, you will need to complete the Travel Information Update form in ISSS Link (under the General Services menu). Find more information about travel and our travel checklists here.

6. File an income tax return in April every year. Tax info >>

7. Leave the US at the right time. Make plans to depart the US by the end date on your LCA or the admit until date on your I-94 (whichever is earlier). However, if you are leaving Emory University early for any reason – resignation or termination – before your E-3 approval end date, you must inform ISSS before your last day at Emory.

8. Changing your immigration status. Contact ISSS if you are interested in applying for a different immigration status. Find more information about changing your E-3 to another non-immigrant visa here.

9. E-3D Dependents may study in the US as long as it is not the primary reason they are in the US. E-3D children are not eligible to work in the US, but E-3D spouses may apply for work authorization with USCIS after arriving in the US.