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Visiting Student- J-1 Program Extension/Amendment

Visiting Student program extensions must be initiated by the JHU hosting department. To request a J-1 program extension, the student must contact their hosting department administrator to request an extension at least 1-2 months before their current J-1 program end date [in box 3 of DS-2019 form]. If there are changes to the student’s program, the department may also submit a J-1 “Amendment” request.

*The Visiting Student Extension Request Process Timeline provides a detailed overview of steps and timing involved. Allow 10 business days for OIS to process a fully submitted Extension/Amendment request.  

Extension Eligibility

  • Duration- The J-1 Student Non-Degree category has a maximum of two years and extension request cannot exceed this time limit
  • Continued Enrollment-
    • JHU Enrollment- J-1 regulations require that non-degree students engage full-time in a prescribed course of study. Visiting students are required to enroll full-time in research credits and/or coursework for each semester/term they are at JHU on a full-time basis
    • Home Institution- To meet the JHU definition of Visiting Student, the student must continue to be enrolled in a degree program at their home institution 
  • Participation Requirements- Activities must occur primarily in-person. Virtual or fully remote exchange programs are not permitted 
  • Program Dates- Visiting Student program dates must fall within an established school semester/term in accordance with the appropriate academic calendar:  https://registrar.jhu.edu/academic-calendar/. *Note the following*
    • A visiting student program end date must fall outside of the two-week add/drop period of a new academic term and cannot be within authorized university breaks [e.g. summer, winter]

Extension/Amendment Process

J-1 extension/amendment requests must be initiated in iHopkins by the Department Administrator on behalf of J-1 Visiting students. [*Visiting Students cannot initiate their own extension/amendment requests].  

Once the request has been initiated, the student will receive an email with instructions for completing the following two eForms in iHopkins within the “Visiting Student J-1 Extension/Amendment Request” eForm group:

  • Visiting Student Applicant Information (Extension/Amendment)
  • J-1 Health Insurance Pledge (Extension/Amendment)

Students should be prepared to provide the following information:

*If there are changes to the student’s program that require a J-1 amendment request, the department will be required to inform OIS what is changing [i.e. funding source or amount, change in activity site, faculty supervisor, or any other changes in the conditions of the student’s academic program].

If you have any questions about extending your J-1 status, email [email protected]