Entering the U.S.

In order to board your flight to the U.S., you will need to show your passport, valid J-1 visa, and DS-2019 in most cases. As of May 12, 2023, air passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States.

Please have the following documents in your carry-on luggage (not in your checked bags) to present to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the port-of entry to demonstrate your eligibility to enter the U.S. in J-1 status:

  • Passport (valid for at least six months into the future from your date of arrival)
  • J-1 visa (valid/unexpired on date of entry)
  • DS-2019
  • Northeastern Appointment Letter

If a CBP Officer needs to speak with an official at Northeastern University to confirm your eligibility, please request that the CBP officer calls the university to speak to an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO), using the following contact information (The operations center is staffed 24/7 for this purpose): 

Upon Arrival

J-1 Scholars must confirm their arrival date at Northeastern with the Human Resources Contact in the host college.

J-1 Scholars experiencing delays due to visa processing must notify the HR Contact in the host college and the Office of Global Services (OGS) as soon as possible (email: [email protected]).

J-1 Scholars are permitted to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before and after the program start date on the DS-2019. However, if your arrival will be delayed for more than two weeks from the program start date, please contact the HR Contact in the host college to amend the program start date. Per federal regulations, OGS is required to provide orientation and validate your SEVIS record within 30 days after the program start date.

Once you have entered the U.S., submit the OGS “Researcher Confirmation of Arrival e-form” as soon as possible. You will receive emails from [email protected] with instructions to submit this e-form as your start date approached. This allows OGS to validate your SEVIS record, which must be done to confirm your arrival within 30 days of the start date listed on your DS-2019.

PAID SCHOLARS: If you will be receiving a salary from Northeastern University as part of your appointment/position, you will need to apply for a Social Security Number if you do not already have one, and will be required to complete an online Form I-9. You will receive instructions from Human Resources regarding your I-9, and instructions to apply for the SSN and complete Section 2 of the I-9 once you have submitted your Researcher Confirmation of Arrival e-form and it is approved.

J-1 Scholar Orientation

After you have arrived in the U.S., please view the recorded J-1 Scholar Orientation below as soon as possible.

You are required to view this orientation to receive important information regarding maintaining your J-1 status during your program. You will be required to attest that you have viewed the orientation when you complete the Researcher Confirmation of Arrival eForm.