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| Your arrival in the US |
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You must do 2 things when you arrive in the US: 1) Apply for your Social Security card and 2) Register on SEVIS.
Social Security registration:
All participants working in the United States need to apply for and receive a Social Security number (SSN) by visiting their local Social Security office. A successful Social Security application may take between three weeks and two months to process. To avoid delays in the application process, we advise that you follow these directions:
1. Register your US address on SEVIS within 10 days of arrival (see above).
2. Wait at least 10-12 days after you have arrived in the United States before applying for a Social Security Card. Remember, you must have already registered with SEVIS within this time period. You must also wait 48 hours after registering with SEVIS before you can apply for your SSN.
3. Once you're ready to apply for your SSN, you must take your 'Dear Social Security Officer' letter and two copies of each of the following documents to the local Social Security office:
- Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Visa Status, DS-2019 form
- I-94 card
- J-1 visa
- front page of your passport
At the Social Security office you will be provided with a Social Security Application form, which you must complete. Be sure to enter a valid US mailing address that your Social Security card can be shipped to.
SEVIS database registration:
SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) has been set up by the government in an effort to keep track of all J-1 participants. Therefore, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you register with SEVIS within 20 days of your arrival. You will need to provide the following information:
1. Your DS-2019 number
2. The address where you are living in the U.S.
3. The address where you are working in the U.S.
4. Your supervisor's information.
5. Your email address.
There are 2 ways to register with SEVIS:
1. GO TO www.mysevis.com.
2. Call 1-888-COUNCIL, and a Customer Service Representative will assist you.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE DO NO REGISTER FOR SEVIS UNTIL YOU ARE IN THE U.S.
IF YOU DO NOT REGISTER FOR SEVIS, YOU ARE IN DANGER OF LOSING YOUR CIEE SPONSORSHIP AND PROGRAM TERMINATION! PLEASE DO NOT FORGET THIS IMPORTANT REQUIREMENT!!!
If you change your address, you will need to update SEVIS with this information. To do this, please call 1-888-COUNCIL or visit the SEVIS web site: www.mysevis.com.
YOU HAVE 10 DAYS FROM THE TIME YOU MOVE TO CHANGE THIS INFORMATION!
If you have any questions on this requirement, please do not hesitate to contact CIEE's Work & Travel USA staff in the office at 1-888-268-6245 Monday through Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5 p.m. (EST).
All necessary information to register in SEVIS and obtain your Social Security number will be provided with your DS-2019 form. You will also find related information in your Getting Started Guide as well as on the CIEE website: Life in the US
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| Traveling during your program |
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If you are travelling outside of the U.S. and you plan to re-enter to continue working, you will need specific documentation. The following information is also included in your Getting Started booklet, and is very important. Follow these steps for successful travelling in and out of the country.
1. Make sure you are travelling WITHIN the dates on your DS-2019 form. Travel outside of these dates is prohibited, and will prevent you from re-entering the US!
2. Send your DS2019 form to CIEE at least two weeks prior to your trip using mail that can be tracked (i.e. - Fed Ex). Include a note stating your travel plans, US address, and phone number
3. INCLUDE a self addressed, PREPAID, TRACKABLE envelope (i.e. Fed Ex). CIEE will use this to send your signed DS form and a letter of "Good Standing."
CIEE
ATTN: WAT USA
300 Fore Street
Portland, ME 04101
Tel: 1 888 268 6245
Fax: 207 553 5000
E-mail: wat@ciee.org
Moreover, your place of employment has to be in the United States from start to finish. Any business trip outside the US as part of your work must remain limited and short.
Please note that you cannot spend more than 30 days outside the US while on a J-1 visa and that your CIEE insurance is not valid outside the US. If you have an ISE card, you will be insured up to 2,000 USD for medical expenses and 5,000 USD for evacuation expenses.
You must always verify that your J-1 visa is still valid in order to re-enter the United States without any inconvenience.
The 30-day Travel Period
Your J-1 Visa allows you to travel in the US for up to 30 days after your DS end date. However, you must purchase this travel period before you begin your Training Program. If you did not confirm these travel dates in your application, you will not be covered by insurance following your DS end date. If you choose to travel between your DS end date and program end date without having confirmed the dates for this travel period, you do so at your own risk.
If you have confirmed this travel period, it will begin the day after your DS end date, as indicated on your DS-2019 form. During this travel period, you will not be allowed to travel outside the US. If you leave the US, you will not be readmitted on your J-1 visa, regardless of any connecting flights you must make. Plan your travels well in advance. Parenthese and CIEE will not be able to endorse or assist you if you attempt to change your visa status and reenter the US as a tourist.
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