SEVIS Reporting Requirements
Your EV Program Responsible Officer (RO) is Susan Sams and the “Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) is Junko Takada. Please see the Contact Us section below for details on how to contact them.
As your J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Program Sponsor, Chapman University is required to validate your program participation within thirty days of the program start date listed on your DS-2019 and to report any changes of name or U.S. address. These reports are submitted electronically to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement or ICE using the Student Exchange Visitor Information System or SEVIS. As soon after arrival as possible, be sure to report in person to International Student & Scholar Services. Please bring the following for both J1 and J2s: passport with visa, DS2019 and proof of health insurance coverage.
Following initial validation, you must notify Susan Sams of any changes to your U.S. address within 10 days of the change. A legal name change must also be reported within 10 days.
You will need a travel signature from Susan Sams on your DS2019 if you are leaving the U.S. temporarily during your program. We ask that you notify International Student & Scholar Services whenever you plan to be outside the U.S.
Prior to Arrival
You cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start date on DS 2019. For tax purposes, Chapman uses a software system called Glacier. If you will be receiving money from Chapman, an email from support@online-tax.net will be emailed to you which will ask that you set up an account in Glacier. You should complete the tax questionnaire and follow instructions regarding submission. If you have questions about the questionnaire, you can email liu@chapman.edu.
Procedure for Obtaining Your J-1 Visa
- You must ensure that your passport is valid for a period of six months beyond the end date listed on your SEVIS DS-2019.
- Make an appointment with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy as soon as you receive your SEVIS DS-2019. Some offices have different procedures or forms you will need to submit, so it is best to review the website where you will be applying for the visa. The following will help with finding your nearest US Consulate*.
- Before your appointment, you must pay a SEVIS FEE and print the SEVIS fee payment receipt. Take this receipt when you go to your appointment. The fastest way to pay the fee is through the SEVIS I-901 Fee processing website by using a credit card and completing the online Form I901.
*Citizens of Canada do not have to apply for an J-1 visa at the consulate. Entering the U.S. with DS2019 automatically puts you in J-1 status. To find out more about how to obtain J-1 status as a Canadian student visit the website of the U.S. Embassy for Canadian Students.
Health Insurance Requirements
The Department of State requirements for health insurance coverage are: $100,000 per accident or illness, $50,000 for medical evacuation, $25000 for repatriation and maximum deductible of $500. You must maintain coverage for yourself and your dependents during your entire stay in the U.S. Failure to do so can result in termination of your DS 2019.
Garnett-Powers & Associates (GPA) will be contacting you by email regarding the Chapman University Visiting Scholar Benefit Plan. You can either purchase health insurance from them or complete a waiver if you will have your own comparable health insurance plan.
If you will be at Chapman long term and are offered Chapman benefits in your contract letter, you will need to purchase a supplemental policy for repatriation and medical evacuation.
Important Information to Know
Housing and Transportation Information
Chapman has limited faculty housing. If your department has not arranged for your housing, please contact Susan Sams and she can help you find something nearby.
Chapman University has two locations in Orange County: the Orange campus and the Rinker campus. The Orange campus is located in the city of Orange, California. The Rinker campus is located in the city of Irvine, California. It is ideal for you to live in the city closest to the Chapman campus where you will do research/teach. Click here for a map of Orange County.
The mass transportation system is not convenient or especially good. Southern Californians use personal automobiles and therefore spend a lot of time driving because everything is very spread out. A reliable used car can cost in the $8,000 - $11,000 range. Auto insurance can cost approximately $1,200 per year.
Housing is expensive in Orange County. The average price for a room rental (renting a private, furnished room in someone’s home) is between $600 and $850 per month depending on what is offered and if the bathroom is shared or private. If you decide to rent an apartment and live alone or with your family, almost all are unfurnished and you have to pay utilities. The average price for a 1 bedroom (with kitchen/dining/bath) is approximately $1300 per month.
Housing Information for J-1 scholars located at Rinker Campus
The Irvine Spectrum is a huge shopping/entertainment center near the Rinker campus. The following information provides the nearest wireless cell phone offices and Walmart (for economical shopping) near Irvine Spectrum. In addition, below are the addresses for the nearest (to Rinker) Social Security Office and Dept. of Motor Vehicles.
Apartments near Rinker Campus/ Irvine Spectrum area: Irvine Company Apartment Communities - see Centerpointe, Los Olivos, The Park, The Village
If you are having trouble renting an apartment Heritage Point in Irvine is international student and scholar friendly. They will work with I-20 and DS 2019 students/faculty despite the fact that they may have no social security number or credit history in the U.S. Unfortunately, it is not located as close to Rinker campus as the above apartments.
For Homestay rentals, please speak with Sandra Robbie at the Rinker Campus
Wireless cell phone offices near Rinker:
Verizon: Irvine Spectrum |
T-Mobile: Irvine Spectrum |
Walmart (for T-Mobile and economical shopping) |
649 Spectrum Center Dr. |
504 Spectrum Center Dr. |
71 Technology Dr. |
Irvine, CA 92618 |
Irvine, CA 92618 |
Irvine, CA 92618 |
Urgent Care and Walk-In Clinics near Rinker campus:
Irvine Village Urgent Care |
PlushCare Urgent Care |
Irvine Urgent Care
|
15435 Jeffrey Rd |
19742 MacArthur, Suite 100 (Corner of Jamboree) |
2500 Alton Pkwy |
Irvine, CA 92618 |
Irvine, CA 92612 |
Irvine, CA 92606
|
Wells Fargo Bank:
We have a special arrangement for our international students and scholars with Wells Fargo bank at Orange Plaza (the Circle, 2 blocks from main campus).
If you ask for Marilyn Rohm she will allow you to open an account with a Chapman ID card and your passport. If you do not yet have your id card, Marilyn will allow you to provide it later. It is possible to open the account with Marilyn but utilize the branch in Irvine that is near Rinker Campus.
Nearest Irvine Wells Fargo branches:
Irvine Spectrum |
22 Prism Dr |
Los Olivos Marketplace |
15771 Rockfield Blvd |
Irvine, CA 92618 |
8587 Irvine Center Dr. |
Irvine, CA 92618 |
|
Irvine, CA 92618 |
Social Security Office nearest to Rinker campus:
26051 Acero Road
Mission Viejo, CA 92691
Department of Motor Vehicles nearest to Rinker campus:
26535 Moulton Parkway
Laguna Hills, CA 92653