J1 visas - annual DS-2019?

[zaphod7]

Hi everyone,

I just started a preliminary year residency on a J1 visa. My DS-2019 was issued by ECFMG for a validity period of 1 year. I've matched into an advanced program also, i.e. for a total of 4 years, but my actual visa was issued with a validity period of 1 year total, based on the DS-2019.

My question is: what are people's experiences with ECFMG/embassies/etc? Do you have to get a new DS-2019 every year? Does that mean you have to get a new visa every year (assuming you want to leave the country)? Has anyone ever been issued a visa (or a DS-2019) for longer than a year? Does this change between prelim and later years?

Thank you all in advance for sharing your experiences! Really appreciate it!

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[857937]

Yes, you do have to get a new DS form every your, regardless of the specialty.

You do have to renew your visa every year if you're planning to leave US.

Some people do experience problem with renewing their visas.

 

[medpack87]

The reason why you need to renew your DS2019 every year is because the government needs to know you are still hired by someone sponsoring your program. So yes, you need to renew the DS2019 every year. And like previous posts stated, if you leave the US, you need to make your DS2019 travel validated and then renew your Visa at your home country.

 

[zaphod7]

IMG-in-USA and medpack87: thank you both very much - those are incredibly helpful answers, even if they're not the one I was hoping for... 🙂

A follow-up question, in case anyone has a similar situation:

My spouse is currently on her own J1 visa but will soon switch and apply for a J2 as my dependent. She would like to work, which I understand she can do once she has applied for, and received, work authorization, which I was told can take up to 5-6 months after entering on J2. My question is: assuming we both remain in status, i.e. I keep progressing through my residency, and we each receive our updated DS-2019s every year, etc etc, would her work authorization be valid for the full time she is here with me, or is that also something that expires and would need to be renewed/re-applied-for at the end of each year?

Thank you all immensely for your help!

 

[metches]

IMG-in-USA and medpack87: thank you both very much - those are incredibly helpful answers, even if they're not the one I was hoping for... 🙂

A follow-up question, in case anyone has a similar situation:

My spouse is currently on her own J1 visa but will soon switch and apply for a J2 as my dependent. She would like to work, which I understand she can do once she has applied for, and received, work authorization, which I was told can take up to 5-6 months after entering on J2. My question is: assuming we both remain in status, i.e. I keep progressing through my residency, and we each receive our updated DS-2019s every year, etc etc, would her work authorization be valid for the full time she is here with me, or is that also something that expires and would need to be renewed/re-applied-for at the end of each year?

Thank you all immensely for your help!

J2 work authorization needs to be renewed every year, and I believe the fee is roughly $400 per year.

 

[zaphod7]

Thank you very much for clarifying that, metches. Do you know by any chance if the spouse can keep working through the renewal application period? Thanks so much!