Overview
Degree Seeking Student
A Degree Seeking J-1 Student is an international student that has been accepted to study a degree program at a sponsoring university full-time and, usually, is funded by their home country or is sent in accordance to exchange agreements between countries with either UNLV or the U.S. government. This student will be enrolled at UNLV in the degree program until the program is completed.
Non-Degree Seeking Student
A Non-Degree Seeking Student is an international exchange student that has been accepted to study in a degree program. This is usually utilized by partnerships between UNLV and universities in the student's home country (exchange students in the traditional sense). This J-1 student can be enrolled for up to 24 months at UNLV before returning home.
Academic Training
J-1 Degree-Seeking Seeking students can participate in academic training, either before completion of their academic program (pre-completion) or after (post-completion). This training must be an integral or critical part of the academic program of the student according to the students academic advisor or dean. Academic training can be authorized for up to 18 months but cannot exceed the program length of the student. For example, if the student was in J-1 Student status for six months, the academic training can only be authorized for a maximum of six months. J-1 students with questions about academic training should contact International Student and Scholar Services (scholar@unlv.edu) to discuss. Please note that employment cannot begin until after Academic Training is authorized by International Student and Scholar Services and a student’s Form DS-2019 record is updated in SEVIS.
New J-1 Student Application Process
All requests for J-1 students (degree-seeking, or certain non-degree programs as appropriate) should be initiated by contacting International Student and Scholar Services to discuss eligibility for the J-1 visa. Individuals are eligible for the J-1 (rather than F-1) student category only if they meet certain criteria. Most commonly this means that a substantial part of a student's funding comes from an outside source such as your home government, or perhaps that you are participating in a government exchange program or as part of an agreement between UNLV and an educational institution in another country.
Degree-seeking students who are eligible for J-1 status will be invited to upload the required documents for a form DS-2019 through the International Student and Scholar Services portal after receiving admission to their program of study and contacting International Student and Scholar Services to confirm J-1 eligibility.
J-1 students participating in other specialized UNLV exchange programs should contact their hosting departments to initiate the DS-2019 request process.
The following is a list of documents which are typically required for J-1 requests. The completed request should be submitted to International Student and Scholar Services at least six weeks prior to the program start date. However, submitting these documents several months in advance of a planned J-1 visit is strongly recommended:
- Copy of unexpired passport identification page of the student intern
- Proof of funding (converted to USD$) for each source of funding listed for the scholar (e.g. copy of UNLV offer letter, proof of funding from student's home institution, personal/family bank statements, graduate assistantship offer letters, etc.)
- Copies of all DS-2019s if the student was in the U.S. in any J status (J-1/J-2) in the last two years
- If the student is in the U.S. on another visa status, copies of all of their I-94s, latest visa, immigration documents (DS-2019s, I-20s, F-1 OPT EAD card, USCIS Approval Notices, J-2 EAD card, etc.)
- Copies of any passports and immigration documents for any accompanying dependents (if applicable)
- Important Note: if you will be transferring as a J-1 from another program within the U.S. OR if you are already in the U.S. in a different status, please contact the International Student and Scholar Services at scholar@unlv.edu to discuss eligibility and process.
J-1 Health Insurance Requirements
The Department of State requires all J-1 exchange visitors to maintain health insurance coverage for the duration of their program in the U.S. This health insurance must meet certain federal regulatory minimums, including the following:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per person per accident or illness;
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
- Expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000.
- Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
Degree-seeking J-1 students will be enrolled in the UNLV Student Health Insurance Plan; this plan meets the Department of State Requirements.
Non-degree seeking J-1 students will need to purchase health insurance from one of two authorized providers. Through June 30, 2025, ISSS will be able to accept the J-1 compliant plans from either ISO or Seven Corners (Choice version only). We will not be able to accept any other plans, including international plans.
Please upload documentation that shows your/your J-2 dependents enrollment in one of these two plans within the Medical Confirmation request in the OISS Portal. This documentation is required before ISSS can validate your arrival to the US with the Department of State.
These plans start at approximately $39/month per person. Please note that these J-1 specific plans may not include coverage for all medical needs and expenses. It is your responsibility to review the plan information and determine which plan meets your/your family's needs. Please reach out to the insurance provider directly if you have any questions about the plan coverage and cost.
If you extend your J-1 exchange visitor program past June 30, 2025, you will be required to purchase health insurance through the UNLV AHP plan for both yourself and any J-2 dependents for the extension period. Additional information about the UNLV AHP plan, including estimated costs, will be available in the coming months.