J1 Change of Status

Research, teaching or training. Join your exchange program from here.

Form I-539
Form DS-2019

Invited to an exchange program while you're already in the U.S.? Changing to J-1 status lets you begin your research, teaching or training without leaving.

We coordinate your application with your program sponsor's documents so everything lines up.

What we take care of

Your DS-2019 and program dates checked
Form I-539 prepared and reviewed
Funding and sponsor documents organized

Overview

If you want to change status to J1, you are usually already in the U.S. and have been accepted into an exchange visitor program, such as research, teaching, training or a scholar position. A J-1 change of status lets you begin that program without leaving the country to apply for a visa abroad, and it is requested by filing Form I-539 with USCIS.

Before you apply, your program sponsor must issue a Form DS-2019, and you need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. You generally must be in valid status and file before your I-94 expires, and your application should match the program dates and details on your DS-2019. If your spouse or children will join you, they can generally be included as J-2 dependents with Form I-539A.

Not everyone can change to J-1 from inside the U.S. People admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) cannot, and if you are already in J-1 status and subject to the two-year home residency requirement, you generally cannot change to most other statuses inside the U.S. An approved change does not give you a J-1 visa stamp, and leaving the U.S. while the application is pending generally abandons it.

Who this is for

You are in the U.S. as a visitor and a university or research institution has invited you as a J-1 scholar or researcher
You have been accepted into a J-1 teaching, training or internship program with a designated sponsor
You are in another eligible nonimmigrant status and your next step is an exchange visitor program
Your sponsor has issued, or is preparing, your Form DS-2019
You want your spouse or children to join you in J-2 status

How it works

Get your DS-2019 and pay the I-901 fee
Your program sponsor issues Form DS-2019, and you pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and keep the receipt.
Check eligibility and dates
We review your current status, I-94 date and program start date, and look at whether anything in your history could prevent a change of status inside the U.S.
Prepare Form I-539 and evidence
We prepare Form I-539 (and I-539A for J-2 family members) and organize your DS-2019, I-901 receipt, funding documents and supporting statement.
Review the package with you
Before filing, we review the full application with you so it matches your sponsor's documents and program dates.
File and follow up
The application is filed with USCIS before your I-94 expires, and we keep you updated on receipts, requests for evidence and the decision.

Documents you'll usually need

Form I-539 (and Form I-539A for J-2 spouse or children)
Form DS-2019 from your J-1 program sponsor
SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
Copy of your passport, current visa and I-94 record
Program invitation or acceptance letter
Proof of funding, such as a stipend, salary from the sponsor, scholarship or personal funds
A statement explaining your program and why you are requesting the change now

Timing

Plan your J-1 change of status around your I-94 expiration and the program start date on your DS-2019. File before your I-94 expires and stay in touch with your sponsor's responsible officer if your dates may shift. USCIS processing times and fees change, so check the current information USCIS publishes on uscis.gov.

Frequently asked questions

Can I change status to J1 inside the US?

Generally, yes, if you were lawfully admitted, are in valid status, have a DS-2019 from a designated sponsor, have paid the SEVIS I-901 fee and file Form I-539 before your I-94 expires. Visitors who entered on ESTA cannot change status this way.

Can I change from B2 to J1?

In many cases, yes. A B-2 visitor who has been accepted into an exchange program and received a DS-2019 can generally request a change to J-1 on Form I-539 while still in valid status.

What is the two-year home residency requirement?

Some J-1 exchange visitors must return to their home country for two years after their program before they can get certain other U.S. statuses. If you are subject to it, you generally cannot change from J-1 to most other statuses inside the U.S. without a waiver.

Can my family come with me in J-1 status?

Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 can generally be included as J-2 dependents. If they are in the U.S., they are usually added to your application using Form I-539A.

Do I get a J-1 visa after my change of status is approved?

No. You will be in J-1 status in the U.S., but no visa is placed in your passport. If you travel abroad, you generally need to obtain a J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate before returning.

This page is general information about how these applications usually work, not advice for your specific case. USCIS rules, forms and fees change; check uscis.gov for the latest.