J-1
Please be aware of the expiration date of your status. This is not your visa stamp expiration date found in your passport; it is the ending date in Section 3 of your DS-2019 form. If your appointment at Berkeley Lab is extended, your manager must contact Visa and Immigration Services before your current status expiration date to have the DS-2019 form extended as well. They may do this through an automatic appointment extension email which they will receive 90 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to your status expiration.
Do not accept unauthorized employment. Your only permitted activities are described in Section 4 of the DS-2019 form. You must consult a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor in advance if you wish to take up any other work during your stay.
If offered a comparable position at another institution or employer, discuss your plans with a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor to make sure that the required transfer procedure can be accomplished.
J-1 visitors are allowed a 30-day grace period beyond the end date on their DS-2019. This additional 30-day period is not for employment, extensions, or transfers. If you travel outside the U.S. during your 30-day grace period, you forfeit the remaining grace period and may not re-enter the U.S. under J-1 status.
Comply with the health insurance requirements for J-1 visa holders and their families. Willful disregard of these requirements will result in termination of your program and your J-1 status.
Keep your passport valid at all times.
Finally, it is important to note that all J-1 nonimmigrant visa holders are required to notify a Visa and Immigration Advisor within 10 days of a change of residential address so that we may update this information in your SEVIS record. You can update your address with Berkeley Lab by visiting the Employee Self Service page
H-1B
H-1B status is like a contract, and it is specific to one employer and a range of dates as listed on the I-797 Approval Notice. In order to remain in legal H-1B status, you must maintain each element of the original application including:
- Salary
- Work location
- Appointment status
- Field of work
- Job duties
If your hiring manager wants to change any of these conditions, they must first consult with a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor.
Please be aware of the expiration date of your status. This is not your visa stamp expiration date found in your passport; it is the ending date found on your Notice of Action/Approval Notice, I-797 Form. If your appointment at Berkeley Lab is extended, your manager must contact Visa and Immigration Services before your current status expiration date to have your H-1B status extended as well. He or she may do this through an automatic appointment extension email which he or she will receive 90 days, 60 days, and 30 days prior to your status expiration.
Do not accept unauthorized employment. Your only permitted activities are described in the application submitted on your behalf by Berkeley Lab. You must consult a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor in advance if you wish to take up any other work during your stay. Additionally, before accepting any new role or position at Berkeley Lab, you must consult with your Visa Advisor to ensure that the change is possible within the parameters of this visa type.
If offered a comparable position at another institution or employer, discuss your plans with a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor prior to your decision, to make sure that the required transfer procedure can be accomplished.
Keep your passport valid at all times.
Finally, it is important to note that all nonimmigrant visa holders are required to notify USCIS within 10 days of a change of residential address. H-1B visa holders may report a change of address by completing Form AR-11. You can update your address with Berkeley Lab by visiting the Employee Self Service page.
