Change of Education Level

J-1 students are required to inform ISSS when they change their education level. A change of education level occurs when you move from one level of study to another; this includes degree level changes (e.g., Bachelors to Masters, Masters to PhD, or PhD to Masters) or moving from a non-degree program to a degree program.

PLEASE NOTE:

J-1 visa holders may make degree level changes only in certain cases. Please see an ISSS advisor for more information prior to making a decision to change degree level.

To request a change of education level, you will need:

• A copy of your acceptance letter to your new academic program.
• Evidence of funds to cover the expenses through the duration of the new program . A financial aid award letter from the new program, a bank or investment statement, or an outside sponsor letter or a combination of sources, are acceptable forms of evidence of funds for DS-2019 issuance.
• To request that your new academic department approves of of your education via an electronic approval form in the online application.

Staying in the U.S.

You are considered legally present in the U.S in J-1 status between the two programs, as long as you have completed the above steps.

If your J-1 visa has expired, the new I-20 establishes the continuance of your J-1 stay. However, the first time you travel outside the U.S. (except to Canada or Mexico) you will need to apply for a new J-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Travel Outside the U.S.

Travel outside the U.S. in between the two programs will require that you obtain the new DS-2019 to present when you re-enter the U.S.

If the current visa in the passport is valid, it can be used for new entry to the U.S. prior to the start of your new program.

If your current J-1 visa is expired, you must apply for a new J-1 visa prior to returning to the U.S., using the new program DS-2019.