Regulatory Changes for J-1 Exchange Visitors

in Fall 2024 Workshops
January 16th, 2015

New J-1 Exchange Visitor New federal regulations means changes for international students and scholars in the J-1 Exchange Visitor status. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was established by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to facilitate the exchange of international research and education.  The DOS oversees the program and has designated BU as a program sponsor.  With this designation, the ISSO must insure that BU is in compliance with all regulations governing the J Exchange Visitor program and must go through an extensive re-designation process every two years.  Boston University sponsors nearly 750 J-1 Exchange Visitors annually.

Subpart A of the J exchange visitor regulations (22 CFR 62), published as a final rule on October 6, 2014, represents the biggest change in immigration regulations pertaining to J-1 exchange visitors since 1993.  The changes were introduced initially in 2009, and program sponsors including BU provide extensive comments on the 2009 proposed rule.  Since that time, no further guidance or rules were published until October.  Regulatory changes, except for the new insurance provisions, went into effect on January 5, 2015.

Changes affecting J-1 students and scholars include the following:

  1. Change to Reporting Requirements: Boston University ISSO is required to report biographical, contact and program information for all J-1 scholars via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). These changes must be reported to the ISSO upon initial arrival in the U.S. and within 10 days of any changes. Biographical information that must be reported now includes:
    • Physical or mailing address
    • E-mail address (BU e-mail address, if available, will be sent as default)
    • Telephone number, and
    • Primary site of activity
    • Reporting Requirements for J-2 Dependents: In addition, Boston University is also required to report information related to any dependents in J-2 status:
      • Email address for each dependent
      • Departure from the U.S. of any J-1 dependent who leaves the U.S. permanently prior to the completion of the J-1 program of study.
    • Required Attendance at University Orientation: Boston University ISSO must record attendance at orientation programs for new students to ensure that J-1 students are participating in orientation as required.
    • Increased Requirements for J-1 Health Insurance Minimum Coverage: The U.S. Department of State (DOS) will increase its minimum coverage requirements for medical insurance coverage. This change will go into effect on 05/15/2015. All J-1 Exchange Visitors will need to review their current health insurance plan(s) to insure that their current plan meets the new minimums.  The ISSO will be sending more detailed information and instructions in the coming months to help our exchange visitors insure that they are compliant with the new minimum health insurance coverage requirements.
    • “Objective measurement” of English language proficiency:  While the regulations have always required sponsors to determine that a prospective exchange visitor ‘possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in his or her program.”  Effective 1/5/2015, the English standard has been modified to “sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis.”  This new requirement will mainly affect new J-1 exchange visitors coming to BU and will not be required of exchange visitors already in their J program at BU.