Below you will find answers to frequently asked questions. You can also reach OISS by phone during regular office hours (713-348-6095), send an email (oiss@rice.edu) or join our virtual & in-person walk-in advising hours (https://oiss.rice.edu/appointment). Please also see the rest of our website, as you may find the answer to your question on another page.

This page includes information on the following topics:

• OISS Operations/Services
• Current J-1 Scholars
• Health Insurance
• Travel
• Future J-1 Scholars

OISS OPERATIONS/SERVICES

Where is the OISS office located and what are the office hours?

The Office of International Students and Scholars is located in Lovett Hall, Entrance A. While we have office spaces on all three floors, our reception desk is on the first floor.

Our service hours are 9:00AM - 4:00PM, Monday - Friday. OISS will be closed on all university holidays.

Unfortunately historic Lovett Hall is not an accessible building and does not have an elevator. If you are unable to climb stairs to enter the building, please contact us and we will be happy to meet with you at another location.

Can I make an appointment with OISS?

Yes! We are available for in-person appointments as well as remote appointments via telephone or Zoom. We currently offer a robust schedule of virtual and in-person walk-in advising hours and you can find the schedule at https://oiss.rice.edu/appointment.

How can I submit document updates, etc. to OISS?

You can submit documents to OISS at http://bit.ly/oissdocs.

CURRENT J-1 SCHOLARS

I just recently arrived in the U.S. with my new J-1 status. What should I do now?

Welcome to Rice! Please contact your Academic Department to let them know that you have arrived. If you are paid with Rice, also make sure to contact Human Resources regarding the I-9 and benefits process. Finally, contact OISS to start your check-in process by requesting access to an OISS Portal account if you have not already received an invitation. For more information, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/scholar-orientation.

What do I need to know about maintaining my status?

J-1 scholars have a lot of requirements when it comes to maintaining immigration status. The key thing to remember is the purpose and intent of your immigration status, which is to meet the objectives of your J-1 program. We have created a helpful webpage that lists many of these requirements and we recommend that you take a moment to read through the information: https://oiss.rice.edu/maintainingstatus.

Do I need to update my address with OISS?

Your physical address (i.e., the address where you live) and U.S. phone number must be updated in your Rice iO account within 10 days of the address change in order to comply with SEVIS reporting requirements.

To update your address, please login to iO, click on Personal Information, and then Contact Info. The address you need to update or add is "Home Address."

When updating your information, pay special attention to the proper address formatting requirements:
Line 1: The street number and name – do not enter the name of your apartment complex, or any other information on this line
Line 2: The apartment or room number – this line can be left blank if you live in a house
City, State and Zip Code must be entered correctly.

To add your phone number, please login to iO, click on Personal Information, and then Contact Info. In the "Communication" section, please add a Primary Personal Mobile Phone and enter your U.S. phone number with just the 10 digits. The first 3 digits should be entered in the "Area Code" section and the remaining 7 under "Number." Please do not include any dashes, other additional characters, or the U.S. country code (+1).

Can I bring my spouse and children to the U.S. with me?

To bring your dependents to the U.S. on a J-2 dependent visa, please read the Dependents and Family webpage.

Can I work remotely from home during my J-1 program?

If your academic department approves the arrangement, some remote work from home may be possible. Please note, however, that the J-1 regulations require you to engage in your program in-person at least 60% of the time, which means you have to be on campus at least 3 days/week.

Do I qualify for a U.S. Social Security Number (SSN)? How do I obtain one?

If you are employed in the U.S. and earning wages, you are eligible for a SSN. Please read our Social Security Number webpage for more information.

Where can I find out about events and activities held by the Office of International Students and Scholars?

OISS organizes multiple events and workshops throughout the year to enrich your experience while at Rice. Please read the weekly OISS-Announce emails and check our Event Calendar on our website. We also encourage you to visit the Events & Programs menu on this website.

I am planning on departing/returning home earlier than my DS-2019 end date, what do I need to do?

Please communicate with your Academic Department so they are able to follow up with the necessary shortening/termination paperwork. In addition, please complete the OISS online Departure Form.

What is the alien registration requirement and does it apply to me?

Effective April 11, 2025, all non-U.S. citizens who are staying in the U.S. for more than 30 days must register with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Being issued an I-94 record upon arrival counts as registration, so for most scholars no additional action is required!

However, any individual who turns 14 while in the U.S. must register within 30 days of their birthday, even if they were issued an I-94 upon entry. Therefore, parents and guardians of dependent children (e.g., F-2, J-2, H-4) must ensure that those children are registered within 30 days of reaching their 14th birthday.

For more information on this requirement, please see https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration.

Individuals over the age of 18 must carry proof of registration at all times. This documentation can include:
• I-20/DS-2019 and I-94 record
• Lawful permanent resident card (“green card”)
• Employment authorization document (EAD)

If you have any questions regarding the documentation you should carry, please reach out to OISS.

Is there a U.S. government website where I can learn more about the J-1 status?

https://j1visa.state.gov/

HEALTH INSURANCE

Am I required to have health insurance?

Yes, all J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents are required to have health insurance for the duration of their program and provide proof of coverage to OISS in order to maintain their valid immigration status. Please note that there are specific requirements for the coverage.

To learn more about health insurance options for scholars on a Rice-sponsored J-1 visa status, please read the Scholar Health Insurance webpage.

Where can I learn more about health insurance in the U.S.?

We know that the U.S. health insurance system can be quite confusing! Please see https://oiss.rice.edu/health-insurance-tips to learn the basics.

We have more resources listed at the bottom of the Scholar Health Insurance webpage.

TRAVEL

I am planning to travel abroad. What documents do I need?

J-1 Scholars traveling outside the U.S. need to be sure to have all their documents in order, including:

1. DS-2019 with a valid travel signature
2. Passport with at least 6 months validity left
3. Valid visa stamp (except for Canadian citizens)

For more information, please see our Travel webpage.

Please note OISS cannot advise on immigration regulations of other countries. To learn what documentation you may need to enter another country, please visit that country's embassy or consulate.

Please be sure to update OISS with any new visa stamp or I-94 upon re-entry to the U.S. by uploading your updated documents at http://bit.ly/oissdocs.

How can I request a travel signature on my DS-2019 and how long it takes to receive it?

Please see https://oiss.rice.edu/travel for your options on how to request a travel signature. Generally, it takes 1-2 business days to process your request.

How long is a travel signature valid?

Travel signatures are valid for 1 year.

If you need a new travel signature, please see https://oiss.rice.edu/travel.

What if the visa in my passport has expired?

If your visa stamp has expired, you will need to apply for a new one in order to re-enter the United States. (Exception: Canadian citizens do not require visa stamps in their passports.)

FUTURE SCHOLARS

I want to come to Rice as a visiting scholar, how do I get started?

The first step is to find an academic department that wants to host your visit. You can find contact information for all Rice departments on the Rice website at https://www.rice.edu.

Once a department has agreed to host you, they can start the J-1 request process: https://oiss.rice.edu/jscholar.

I was issued a Rice DS-2019. Can I enter the U.S. whenever I want?

You cannot enter more than 30 days prior to your program start date. In addition to having the DS-2019, you must also have a valid U.S. J Visa (Exception: Canadian citizens do not require visa stamps in their passports) and a valid passport.

I already received my J visa stamp and now my program dates are delayed. Do I have to apply for a new visa?

No, you will most likely not need another visa stamp. Please check the expiration date of the visa stamp in your passport. If you are able to arrive before that expiration date, you will not need to apply for a new visa, even if your arrival date will change.

I don’t think I am going to be able to arrive at Rice by the start date on my DS-2019, what should I do?

Please contact your Academic Department to update your program dates. Keep in mind that you need to have a valid DS-2019 and visa stamp at the time you enter the U.S. (Exception: Canadian citizens are not required to have a visa stamp in their passport.)

If I have decided to not come to Rice, is there anything I need to do?

Yes, please notify your Academic Department, and send an email to oiss@rice.edu. If a DS-2019 has already been issued, please note that it will be canceled and may not be used to enter the United States.