Read the State Department's Exchange Visitor Program Welcome Brochure. 

Download the J-1 Pre-Arrival Checklist

All J-1 Exchange Visitors in the Scholar and Intern categories are required to check in with ISSS after their arrival to the United States. This check-in process is completed online using the ISSS iTerp system. 

Step 1: Notify your department administrative contact of your arrival to the U.S. 

Step 2: Complete the online check-in at iTerp Services. For your convenience, this process can be completed anywhere you have an internet connection. iTerp accepts most file types. 

1.   Login to iTerp.  In the gray box, click New Student/Scholar, Alumni, OPT Student Login and enter your UID Number, Date of Birth, and Limited Access PIN.  
2. Click on "J-1 Scholar Services" on the left-hand side and then click on "Documents Check-In"  under the "Tasks" menu. 
3.  Complete each section and upload required documentation [visa, I-94 form, DS-2019]. A U.S. phone number and address are also required to complete the check-in. 

Step 3:  ISSS will review your documents and notify you if any additional information is needed. When ISSS has completed the check-in, you will receive a confirmation email with J-1 Orientation information. Once you receive the email, your check-in is complete.  

Step 4: Once "Documents Check-In" is complete, ISSS will approve your appointment in the University PHR system, which will allow you to set up your Directory ID and obtain the University ID card. You will receive an email when this step is completed.  

Department of State (DOS) Requirements 

Program participants and their dependents are required to have medical insurance coverage with the following minimum benefits [22 CFR 62.14] for the duration of the J-1/J-2 program:

• 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 

University of Maryland Requirements 

The University of Maryland requires all J-1 Exchange Visitors to enroll in insurance through the University of Maryland during their stay in the U.S. This is to ensure sufficient coverage and to ensure compliance with DOS regulations. The type of insurance depends on your benefits eligibility at the University. Outside or independent insurance plans will not be accepted.

J-2 Dependents 

J-2 dependents are subject to the same DOS requirements as the J-1. However, they are not required to enroll through UMD. ISSS strongly recommends that you enroll your dependents through UMD insurance, since healthcare costs in the U.S. can be expensive. 

If you do not enroll your dependents through UMD, it will be your responsibility to show proof that their insurance meets DOS requirements. The proof of insurance must show the specific DOS requirements and the U.S. dollar amount covered. An English translation is also required, if it is in another language. 

You will be required to show proof of your dependent’s insurance from the date of their arrival in the U.S. through the end of the program. This will include any time spent outside of the U.S. There can be no gaps in their insurance coverage. If your dependent(s) will only accompany you for short visits, please contact an ISSS advisor regarding your plans for your dependent(s). 

Two Types of Health Insurance at UMD 

1.  UMD Benefits Plan -This plan is for scholars who are paid by UMD and eligible for university benefits. You will enroll online after your arrival. Please contact your department about the enrollment process and eligibility. Your health insurance will begin on the 1st of the month following the month of your arrival or your program start date. More information can be found at uhr.umd.edu/benefits/. 

   This plan covers DOS medical benefits and deductible requirements, but does not cover medical evacuation and repatriation. You should purchase supplementary medical evacuation and repatriation insurance at the UMD Health Center.  

   If you are traveling internationally within 60 days of your arrival to the U.S., please discuss your plans with your ISSS advisor as soon as possible. Travel can impact other government applications and your enrollment in your health insurance. 

2.  Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP)  -This plan is for scholars not paid by the University of Maryland or scholars who are paid by UMD, but not eligible for the UMD Benefits Plan. SHIP covers all DOS requirements. You will enroll online using a letter provided by ISSS after your arrival to the U.S. Please refer to the email you received from ISSS and the ISSS website for additional information about SHIP. 
   
   Current rates at $6.40 /day per person, but are subject to change. SHIP is purchased yearly on the academic calendar (August 1-July 31) and payment must be made in one lump sum.
   
   *Please refer to "J-1 & J-2 Health Insurance Enrollment Information" for more details regarding enrollment. 

Additional Information

• Social Security Number is not required to start the enrollment process for either insurance plan.
• You will only be able to enroll in UMD insurance after your arrival to the U.S. 
• Failure to comply with DOS health insurance requirements for you and your dependents is considered a willful violation and will result in the termination of your J-1 program. 

J-1 Program Restrictions

212e: Two-Year Home Country Requirement 

Certain J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 Dependents may be subject to this requirement if they:

• Received funding from the U.S. government or their home country government;
• Gained skills that are needed in their home country, per the Exchange Visitor Skills List;
• Came to the U.S. to receive graduate medical education or training.

If you are subject:

• You must reside and be physically present in your country of lawful permanent residence for a total of two years before you are eligible for H-1B, L-1, K-1, or permanent resident status;
• You are unable to change your status within the U.S. You must travel to obtain a new status.
   

24-Month Bar on Repeat Participation 

All Exchange Visitors in the Research Scholar or Professor category (Box 4 on DS-2019) are subject to the 24-month bar on “repeat participation” of the Research Scholar or Professor category.

If you are in the Research Scholar or Professor category, you must wait 24 months from the end of your program to begin a new Research Scholar or Professor program. This does not include extensions within the 5 year limit of this category. 

12-Month Bar

An Exchange Visitor (in any J status) who has been in the U.S. for more than six months is not eligible for the Research Scholar or Professor category for a 12 month period. 

J-2 Dependents

The J-2 Dependent visa is a non-immigrant visa for spouses and children (unmarried children under the age of 21) of J-1 exchange visitors, who accompany or later join the J-1 holder in the United States. More information can be found at: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/j2-visa/ 

If you did not request a J-2 DS-2019 and you have a spouse or child that will join you later, you can request a J-2 DS-2019 from ISSS after your arrival to the U.S.

As the primary J-1, it is important that you ensure that your J-2 Dependent(s) maintain(s) their status while in the U.S. This includes:

• Maintaining health insurance for your dependent(s) from the day they enter the U.S. through the end of the program. This insurance needs to meet Department of Statement requirements. This includes time spent outside of the U.S.;
• Informing ISSS when your dependent enters the U.S. and when they leave permanently (if earlier than you);
• Obtaining a travel signature for your dependent before they travel abroad.
   

Maintaining your Status while in the U.S.

After your arrival to the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange Visitor, it is important to maintain your J-1 status by: 

• Maintaining health insurance for the duration of your program;
• Engaging only in approved activities at the location on the DS-2019;
• Maintaining valid immigration documents;
• Reporting address changes to ISSS within 10 days; 
• Traveling abroad for less than 30 days at a time.

Paid Scholars

“Paid Scholars” refers to Research Scholars and Short- term Scholars who receive funding from the University of Maryland and are eligible for UMD Benefits. Please contact your department to confirm eligibility. 

Enrolling in UMD Benefits

Once your account has been processed you will receive an email from SPS/Workday prompting you to enroll in UMD Benefits. The enrollment must be complete within 60 days of your program start date. Please note that it can take several weeks to receive the email. 

Enrolling in AES

Scholars enrolling in UMD Benefits also must enroll in AES. This covers Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance which is not covered in UMD Benefits. You will enroll through the Health Center for the academic year (August -July) for $96. 

UMD Benefits Special Considerations: 

• If you are arriving on or before the 1st of the month in which your program begins your coverage will begin the 1st of that month.
• If you are arriving after the 1st of the month or your program begins after the 1st of the month, your coverage will begin the 1st of the following month. You must enroll in travel insurance or other thirdparty insurance which meets the State Department’s requirements to cover this gap between your program start date and the 1st of the following month.
• If you have J-2 dependent(s) arriving after you, they may enroll in UMD Benefits. However, they will not be able to enroll in AES until the next academic year (August-July). They will need third-party medical evacuation and repatriation insurance. 

Non-Paid Scholars & Student Interns 

“Non-Paid Scholars” refers to Research Scholars and Short-term Scholars who receive funding from outside of the University of Maryland. Student Interns, whether receiving funding from UMD or not, must enroll in SHIP.  

Enrolling in SHIP

You will enroll in SHIP using the letter given to you at Orientation by the ISSS office. You will enroll through the Health Center for the academic year (August -July). 

SHIP Special Considerations

• SHIP payments must be paid in one lump sum. Please plan to have funds available for payment upon arrival.
• If you arrive before your program start date coverage will begin on your program start date.
• If you arrive on or after your program start date coverage will begin on your arrival date.
• If your program ends after July 31 you will need to renew your SHIP Insurance after July 31 for the next academic year or until your program end date.
• If you have J-2 dependent(s) arriving after you, they will not be able to enroll in SHIP until the next academic year (August-July). They will need third-party insurance until then.

• Schedule a virtual appointment with your advisor - Click  “J-1 Scholar/H-1B Faculty/Dept Advising-Virtual Appointments Only". Then, pick a date and time that works for you. 
• Online Chat - Go to the Chat with an Advisor ISSS Page and click “Chat with an Advisor” on the bottom right side of the page. Live Chat is available weekdays from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. EST. 
• Call the J-1 Scholar Phone line - Call (301) 405-1617 to talk with a program specialist. Their phone line is available weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. EST.