J-1 Exchange Visitors Exchange Visitor Overview Sponsorship Process Transfers Dependents Mandatory Check In Maintaining Status Driver's License Travel Extensions Occasional Lectures Program End Open Full Site Menu Go to the home page Menu Toggle Menu MUSC Home Intl Students and Scholars J-1 Exchange Visitors Mandatory Check In Contact MUSC Immigration J-1 Check in with the Center for Global Health After arriving in Charleston, all new J-1 Exchange Visitors (including J-1 transfers) are required to check in with in the Center for Global Health in order to have their J-1 status validated in the SEVIS system. New J-1 Exchange Visitors must have their J-1 status validated in the SEVIS system within 30 days of the start date on the DS-2019 form. J-1 Exchange Visitors who fail to complete the check in process in a timely manner will be terminated and will no longer be permitted to remain in the United States in J-1 status. We highly recommend that you complete the J-1 check in as soon as possible after arrival in the United States. Although you will not complete the check in until after your arrival, you must begin planning for the J-1 check in process in advance, prior to your arrival. STEP 1: Complete Insurance Verification request in Terra Dotta. This should be done prior to your arrival in the United States. You will log in to your Terra Dotta portal, navigate to the Requests tab and click Insurance Verification. Upload a copy of your insurance documents and fill in the required information. Refer to the insurance section of the J-1 Pre-Arrival Guide for more details on the insurance requirements. STEP 2: Schedule appointment with Denise Smith. As soon as you know the date you will arrive in the United States, you must schedule a J-1 check in appointment with Denise Smith. The date of the appointment must be after your arrival in the United States. Check in appointments are currently being conducted virtually. J-1 check in appointments must be scheduled in advance through Denise Smith's scheduling tool. In the subject field, enter “J-1 Check In Appointment.” Click the text that reads ‘Click to Request An Appointment,’ then select one of the available time slots. Once you have selected a time slot, click Send. Once Denise receives your appointment request, she will email you details on how to access the virtual meeting. Contact Denise directly with any questions about the virtual meeting. STEP 3: Complete required forms. After you schedule your appointment, Denise will send you several documents to read and forms that must be completed. You should make a note of any questions that you have while you go through the materials. You will have the opportunity to ask Denise these questions during your appointment. STEP 4: Complete Submit Arrival Documentation request in Terra Dotta. As soon as you arrive in the US, you must retrieve your I-94 record from the CBP website and save the record as a PDF file. Then, you will log in to your Terra Dotta portal, navigate to the Requests tab and click Submit Arrival Documentation. Read the instructions carefully. You will then upload copies of your I-94 record, J-1 visa, passport & DS-2019, and fill in the required information. All documents must be in PDF format and follow all guidelines provided in the instructions. You must complete both the Insurance Verification request and the Submit Arrival Documentation request in Terra Dotta prior to attending your virtual J-1 check in appointment. STEP 5: Attend virtual J-1 check in appointment. You will attend the virtual meeting at the previously scheduled time. During the appointment, Denise will review your visa documents and the requirements of J-1 status with you. You can also ask any questions during this meeting. After the completion of the appointment and the necessary forms, we will validate your J-1 status in the SEVIS system. STEP 6: Connect with Rebeca Mueller. Rebeca Mueller manages the International Programs within the Center for Global Health. Rebeca assists new international students and scholars with various aspects of adjusting to life in the United States and Charleston in particular. After attending your J-1 check in appointment with Denise, contact Rebeca to introduce yourself as a new J-1 Exchange Visitor. 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