New J-1 Scholar Check In

Attendance at the Scholar Orientation is mandatory and required by the U.S. Department of State. Starting October 1, all new* J-1 Scholars are required to complete the Online J-1 Scholar Orientation prior to arrival. You will receive an email from Homebase soon after we provide your DS-2019. 

*Transfer Scholars are strongly recommended to complete the online orientation but are not required to do so. Transfers Scholars must complete Step 2. 

ISSS will send you reminder emails about the New J-1 Scholar Check-In prior to your arrival to the U.S. Complete the New J-1 Scholar Check-In as soon as possible and ensure your online orientation is finished once you have entered the U.S. After approval of the New J-1 Scholar Check-In, ISSS will register your arrival with the U.S. government (SEVIS Validation), provide an SSN letter, and start the NENS Process to get UMass credentials/email. 

You should also check in with your host department and PI to ensure your needs are met and you can begin your research. You should not begin to work or research until your DS-2019 start date. 

How to Access the New J-1 Scholar Check-In: 

To access the New J-1 Scholar Check-In, you will need your TEMP ID, which can be found in the “DS-2019 Start Date is Approaching” email.

To complete the New J-1 Scholar Check-In, you will need the following information:

• I-94
  • Go to “Get Most Recent I-94” at the top of the website. Click “I Acknowledge and Agree” and then enter your passport information. You should get an I-94; make a .pdf or screenshot of the I-94.
• DS-2019
  • This should be signed by the consulate on the mid-left side of the document. You should also sign at the bottom.
• J-1 Visa Stamp
  • This is the J-1 visa stamp provided by the U.S. Consulate (do not upload your passport biographical page).
• Insurance Documents
  • J-1 Scholars and their dependents are required to have insurance at all times. We expect that the insurance document is in English and will provide coverage for at least the first six months of your J-1 program.
• Residential Address (where you live—not your UMass office/lab address). See example below:

• U.S. Phone Number (if you have one)
• Dependent Documents (if they arrived with you): J-2 signed DS-2019s, J-2 visa stamps, J-2 I-94s

After submission, you will be notified by email that the New J-1 Scholar Check-In is in the ISSS processing queue. Once reviewed and approved, you will receive an approval email, and we will set up your email access (NENS) and your UCard.

If you do not complete the New J-1 Scholar Check-In within 30 days after the start date on your DS-2019, your J-1 record will go inactive.

*Note: J-1 Scholars who are transferring their J-1 record from another institution to UMass must complete the New J-1 Scholar Check In and we suggest completing the online orientation, but it is not required.

After submission, you will be notified by email that the New J-1 Scholar Check-In is in the ISSS processing queue. Once reviewed and approved, you will receive an approval email and we will set up your email access (NENS) and your UCard.

Once your New J-1 Scholar Check-In has been approved, ISSS will provide a Social Security Letter and initiate your NENS access to university systems.

NENS access

NENS (Non-employee, Non-student) access provides access to university systems and UMass email. You should receive an email from IT within 48 hours of the New J-1 Scholar Check-In approval. 

J-2 Dependents are not eligible for access unless they work at UMass Amherst or a department requests a NENS on their behalf. 

SSN Letter

Your SSN letter will be available for pickup in our lobby within two business days of New J-1 Scholar Check-In approval. Review our SSN instructions here. If UMass Amherst pays you, you are required to get an SSN. Unpaid scholars may choose to apply for an SSN.

J-2 Dependents are not for an SSN unless they have work authorization.

UCard

The UCard office will be notified to create your UMass ID. Please work directly with the UCard office for this.