I-9 completion for j-1 exchange visitors
Is this a J-1 Student or J-1 Scholar? Know the difference!
- I-9s for J-1 students and J-1 scholars are handled differently
- Knowing the difference is essential for correctly completing an I-9 for someone with J-1 visa status
J-1 Category
Box 4 of the DS-2019 lists the person's J-1 category:
J-1 Scholar Categories
- Research Scholar
- Professor
- Short-Term Scholar
- Student Intern
J-1 Student Categories
- Student Doctorate
- Student Masters
- Student Bachelors
- Student Non-Degree
I-9 Completion for J-1 Scholars
- Only authorized to perform work in their field of study at MSU
- No general employment allowed (e.g. dining halls, libraries)
- Any employment offered after arrival must be cleared with OISS
I-9 Presenting documents for J-1 Scholars
- Passport
- DS-2019
- I-94 Record from the web page with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
I-9 Validity Length
- Through the DS-2019 end date
- Section 1: "An alien authorized to work until MM/DD/YYYY
I-9 Completion for J-1 Students
IMPORTANT: Double-check Section 1
J-1 students must present a work authorization letter from the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) to complete an I-9 correctly.
- Did the student enter the work authorization letter end date or the DS-2019 end date
- Request correction if the Section 1 "authorized to work until" date does not match the work authorization letter date
If a J-1 student does not have a work authorization letter, they are not eligible to work. Do not complete section 2 of the I-9
Obtaining a Work Authorization Letter
- Box 2 on the DS-2019 lists the student's J-1 visa sponsor. Box 7 lists the sponsor's contact information
- Only J-1 visa sponsor can issue the work authorization letter
I-9 Presenting documents for J-1 Students
- Work authorization letter
- Passport
- DS-2019
- I-94 Record from the web page with U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
I-9 Validity Length
- Through the work authorization letter end date (not the DS-2019)
- Section 1: "An alien authorized to work: MM/DD/YYYY"
Questions
For I-9 related questions, please contact MSU Human Resources at HR.I9Admin@hr.msu.edu or 517-353-4434.
Contact the Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS)
- Main inbox - oiss@msu.edu
- MSU J visa program - jvisas@msu.edu
