J-1 Scholar Check-In Process
1. Scholar Arrival to U.S.
a. Scholar arrives up to 30 days before official program date.
b. Finds housing/settles into Merced.
c. Purchases health insurance, if not receiving UC benefits.
2. Sponsoring School
a. Scholar checks in with faculty supervisor/school on program begin date.
b. School provides new employee orientation, email address, access to workplace.
3. Academic Personnel/Human Resources/Payroll
a. Scholar completes New Hire paperwork on program start date;
b. If eligible, scholar enroll in benefits during enrollment period.
4. Office of International Affairs
a. Visa Orientation and Check in within 2 weeks of Program Begin Date;
b. Health Insurance is verified;
c. International Scholar Advisor validates record in SEVIS;
Office of International Affairs Check In
The Office of International Affairs holds J-1 Scholar check ins every other Friday. See the schedule below.
Please email rjohnson26@ucmerced.edu to notify us which check-in meeting you will be attending.
Bring the following items to the meeting:
1. Passport(s) for you and your family.
2. DS-2019(s) for you and your family.
3. A completed Check-In Form and J-1 Exchange Visitor Responsibility agreement.
4. Proof of health insurance for you and your family.
5. The Form I-94 for you and your family. This form can be retrieved online here: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/recent-search.
6. Please read and sign a copy of the J-1 Exchange Visitors Responsibility Agreement.
7. If you have a J-2 dependent spouse, be prepared to to pay the J-2 dependent fee of $550. You will need to complete a Dependent Visa Fee Form. Acceptable forms of payment are Cash, Check or Money order. (Note that the payment must be made at the UC Merced cashiering services office in the Administration Building Lobby, Room 140. https://studentbilling.ucmerced.edu/home/contact-us)
