J-1 Scholar Check-In

Your immigration record needs to be validated in the SEVIS system. To validate your record, all individuals in J-1 status must check-in electronically with OIA. This should be done within 3 days upon arrival in Chicago or within 3 days of receiving an approval notice from USCIS to change status to J-1. Without this validation, your immigration record will become inactive.  An individual whose immigration record is inactive may not work and must depart the U. S.

OIA's check-in process cannot be completed without the required documentation listed below:

  • If you traveled to gain J-1 status: DS-2019, Form I-94, and visa.
  • If you changed your immigration status to J-1 by applying through USCIS: DS2019, and Form I-797 Approval Notice issued by USCIS.

You may upload screenshots, photos, and/or pdfs of the required documentation.  If you have dependents, please submit their immigration documents as well.

Note: In the future, should you travel outside of the US while in J-1 status, please complete the Travel Re-Entry Form.

Personal Information
A U.S. based telephone number is required to activate your record. You may list your U.S. mobile or department number.
If you have transferred your J-1 SEVIS record from a different institution, please provide the date your previous institution released your J-1 SEVIS record to UChicago.
If your spouse is traveling with you as your J-2 dependent please include their email. Otherwise leave blank.
Residential Address in the U.S.
Please enter your residential address in the United States. Do not provide your department or lab address.
If applicable, please include room/apartment number
Document Upload
If you have scans of the following documents for you and/or your dependents, please upload them here. OIA cannot validate your record in SEVIS without the proper documents.

Required for all scholars except Canadian citizens. Canadian nationals may upload dummy document in place of the visa sticker.

visa image.jpg

Upload your most recent I-94 here. You may obtain your I-94 by visiting https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov

I94_Electronic Copy.png

U.S. Customs is phasing out the use of entry stamps. If you were issued one, please upload. If you were not issued a stamp, leave this field blank.

If you changed your status to J-1 by submitting an application to USCIS, please upload your Form I-797 Approval Notice issued by USCIS.
Confirmation