Your Documents

Passport

Keep your passport valid at least six months into the future at all times.  Your country will have an Embassy or Consulate in the United States that will be able to assist you in renewing your exting your passport if it expires while you are in the U.S.

Visa

Your visa is your "ticket to apply for entry into the United States. Visa validity dates vary from country to country.  Do not panic if your visa expires while you are at UWM.  You will only need a new visa to apply for entry into the U.S. if you leave the country. 

If you return home or leave the U.S. and need to apply for a new visa please visit http://usembassy.state.gov/ for information on applying for a new visa to re-enter the U.S.

Your visa will indicate whether or not you are subject to the Two Year Home Resident Requirement, also known as 212(e).  If you are subject to 212(e) you are required to return home for two years before applying for an H1B or Permanent Residency to the U.S.  There is a waiver process for this requirement.  Please read visit the U.S. State Department to find out more about the process.

DS-2019 (J-1)

Your DS-2019 is one of the documents you used to apply for your J-1 visa.  It indicates the academic institution with which you are affiliated in the U.S., expected completion date and information on how you will finance your stay in the U.S.  The DS-2019 is a U.S. government document generated through the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System SEVIS.

If you will not complete your research or teaching by the expected completion date listed on #3 of the DS-2019 please speak with your academic department about applying for an extension before your DS-2019 expires.

I-94

Your I-94 is the small white card stapled in your passport.  It is the U.S. Arrival/Departure Card and when you entered the U.S., the "Arrival" portion of the card was kept at the Port of Entry. 

Your I-94 will have the date and place of entry into the U.S. and the Port of Entry official will write your visa type (J-1) and D/S.  D/S means Duration of Status and that means that you are eligible to remain in the U.S. as long as you are maintaining your status.