COVID-19 Update

To: International Faculty & Scholars Currently on Campus and Sponsoring Department Contacts

From: International Faculty & Scholars Office

Date: March 12, 2020

Subject: COVID-19 Update

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Dear Colleagues,

The US Department of State, which administers the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, has issued the following guidance regarding the handling of program amendments and extensions for J-1 scholars impacted by COVID-19-related travel concerns:

  • For scholars who are currently outside of the United States and are in a country impacted by COVID-19 or who have visited an impacted country in the last 14 days:
  • Scholars who have not yet begun their J-1 program
    • Scholars currently in a country impacted by COVID-19 – IFS will delay their program start date (beyond at least April 1, 2020) and issue a new Form DS-2019 “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status” at no charge.
    • Scholars who are not currently in a country impacted by COVID-19 but have visited such a country in the last 14 days – IFS will delay their program start date until the applicant has been outside of the impacted country (and is not exhibiting symptoms of COVID-19) for at least 14 days at no charge.
  • Scholars who are actively engaged in their J-1 program but temporarily abroad
    • IFS may keep their SEVIS record active until the scholar is able to return to the United States and continue with their original program objectives at no charge. Scholars should be mindful of the validity dates of their J-1 visa; they may need to renew their visa before they return to the United States. 
    • IFS may shorten their SEVIS records for authorized program withdrawal upon the scholar’s request.
  • For scholars currently inside the United States:
    • Wherever needed, IFS will reinstate (if necessary) and extend the program of scholars with upcoming end dates until April 1, 2020 at no charge. Please note that UArizona Global and the US Department of State do not have funding to support these extensions in terms of housing or food.  Thus, the scholar, sponsor, or supporting third parties will need to provide the funding for any program extensions. Further, scholars’ activities must remain consistent with their original purpose of travel to the United States. The US Department of State notes that there are still flights from the United States to countries impacted by COVID-19 on foreign airlines and code-shares with US-flagged airlines and scholars may prefer to return to a country impacted by COVID-19.

As noted above, IFS will process all J-1 program amendments and extensions necessitated by COVID-19-related travel concerns at no charge. Please feel free to reach out to us at 626-6289 or uaifs@arizona.edu with any further questions or concerns.

Regards,

IFS Staff