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F-1 vs. J-1 Student Status

Most of Emory's international students carry F-1 visas. When you're admitted, we'll issue you an I-20 unless you are coming through another organization, such as Fulbright. In those cases, you will probably come to Emory as a J-1 student.

F-1 J-1
Eligibility

Admission to a full-time program

Admission to a full-time program, plus:

  1. The exchange is based on a written agreement between the US and a foreign government;
  2. The exchange is based on a written bilateral agreement between Emory and a foreign institution; or
  3. The student will receive US or foreign government funding for their J-1 student stay; and the government agency requires the student to hold the J-1 student status. 

Note: J-1 students aren't allowed in a program that has patient contact or clinical care components.
Funding
  • You provide financial documentation showing funding for your first 12 months (or the length of your program, if it's less than a year) and the financial certificate for your program.
  • Emory admissions sends you an I-20 valid for the length of your program.
  • Your DS-2019 form expiration date depends on the amount of funding you can show. If you have 1 year of funding, your DS-2019 is valid for 1 year.
  • If you can't show documentation of funding for the entire length of your program, you have to keep providing funding documentation throughout your program.
  • The end date on your DS-2019 will also be the end date on your other US documents, like your driver's license or your spouse's work permit. So, those documents need to be renewed each time your DS-2019 is renewed.
Dependents F-2 dependents can't study or work in the US. Exception: school-age children younger than 18 can study. J-2 dependents can study and apply for work authorization.
Health insurance Emory requires all students to have health insurance, and we strongly recommend coverage for F-2 dependents. Learn more >>

In addition to Emory's requirement that all students have health insurance, you and your dependents are legally required to carry insurance. Federal requirements for J-1 health insurance:

  • Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
  • Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor in the amount of $10,000
  • A deductible no more than $500 per accident or illness

Emory's student plan meets these requirements.
On-campus employment You can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full time during breaks. You'll need to apply for a social security number. You can work up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full time during breaks. You'll need to get approval from your ISSS advisor and apply for a social security number. After 1 year of employment, you need to get work authorization again.
Off-campus employment
  • During your program of study, you may be eligible to participate in Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT), work with an international organization, or work because of severe economic hardship.
  • After your program of study, you may be eligible participate in post-completion OPT.
  • During your program of study, you may be eligible to participate in Academic Training (AT) or work because of economic necessity.
  • After your program of study, you may be eligible to participate in AT.
2-year home residency requirement No requirement. You might be required to return to your home country for 2 years after your program if you have government funding or if you're studying a field on the skills list. This can also limit your eligibility for certain US visas in the future. Learn more >>
Transfers You can transfer to a new school either in the middle of your program or within 60 days after finishing your program.
  • You can transfer to a new school before your DS-2019 expires.
  • You can "matriculate" by moving up a degree level, from bachelor's to master's, or from master's to PhD.
  • You can't "reverse matriculate," by moving from PhD to master's, for example.
  • You can't change from non-degree to degree-seeking, or vice versa.
  • Learn more >>
Grace period 
 (if program completed)		 60 days 30 days