A scholar must always maintain a valid Form DS2019 during stay in the US. The ending date in item 3 on the Form DS2019 is the expiration date. If eligible to continue in the program beyond the date in item 3, a scholar will need to submit a completed Visiting Staff Request for a program extension.
The extension may be processed 90 days before the completion date on the current Form DS 2019 but no later than the completion date. Please speak to the counselor who signed the DS2019 if the completion date has past and an extension is needed. If an extension is not needed, a J-1 scholar then has a 30 day grace period after the completion date to depart the US.
Any extension request must remain within the time limit for the J-1 scholar's category. The category is listed on the DS2019 in item 4. Here are the limits for the most common scholar categories:
- J-1 Professor or J-1 Research Scholar: five years
- J-1 Specialist: one year
- J-1 Short-term Scholar: six months
To request an extension, the scholar will submit the following forms to the ISS front desk (Schleman Room 136):
- Visiting Faculty/Staff Request Form
- International Scholars Fee Form (obtained from Dept. ISS Liaison)
- Departmental letter indicating the dates of the proposed extension of stay (obtained from Dept. ISS liaison)
- Proof of financial support for the time period requested for the extension. Please be advised that an original is required for any non-Purdue funding.
- Current Form DS 2019
- Passport
- Form I-94 card
- If any J-2 dependents, please bring their DS2019, passport and I-94, too
These forms should be completed and submitted to ISS.
Within 10 business days, ISS will complete the extension request.
Caution: Extension of stay in the United States is the scholar's responsibility. By forgetting a deadline and applying late, a scholar risks denial. If employed, a scholar will may be considered to have engaged in illegal employment. Since such mistakes can have serious consequences, please be certain to apply in advance if needing to extend.