J-1 Exchange Visitor Hub
Welcome to the Stevens Institute of Technology Exchange Visitor Program Hub!
This site serves a centralized location for all our J-1 Exchange Visitors (EVs) and their families to access important information on arriving in the United States, maintaining J-1/J-2 status, and making the most of their time in the U.S.
Incoming EVs can access information on applying for a visa, entering the U.S., and checking in at Stevens via the “Pre-Arrival Information” link.
New and current EVs can also use this site to find information on living in the New Jersey/New York area, including transportation, housing, and cultural opportunities.
We hope you find “the Hub” to be a useful and supportive tool during your time at Stevens. Should you ever have questions about this site, or about the Exchange Visitor Program in general, please do not hesitate to contact your immigration advisor.
Pre-Arrival Information
Applying for a J-1/J-1 Visa
Entering the United States
Your I-94 Record is the DHS Arrival/Departure Record issued to non-immigrants who are admitted to the U.S. Your I-94 Record will show your Admission Number, your “Admit Until Date”, your biographical information, and your “Class of Admissions”.
You will also be able to access your Travel History through your I-94 Records. This will show a record of the most recent times you have entered and exited the U.S.
You should access your I-94 Records by going to the I-94 Official Website, selecting “Get Most Recent I-94”, and inputting your passport information.
As an F-1 or J-1 student, your I-94 should state the following:
Your admission number
Admit Until Date: “D/S” (or ‘Duration of Status’)
Correct biographical information
Class of Admissions: F-1 or J-1, depending on your visa type
If your I-94 Record shows the incorrect information, you must contact the CBP Agency to correct it. If you are having trouble locating your I-94 Record Electronically, please vsiit CBP's Website for assistance.
What to Carry with you at the Port of Entry:
* Note: All the below mentioned documents should be kept in an easily-accessible location in carry-on luggage. Do not put your documents in your checked luggage!
DS-2019
Passport/Visa
DS-2019(s) and passports/visas for any J-2 dependents
Proof of health insurance for themselves and all dependents (health insurance information must be sent to the ISSS office for review at least 2 weeks prior to arrival in the U.S.)
SEVIS Activation & Orientation with ISSS Upon Arrival
You are required to come to the International Student and Scholar Services office within 10 days of your program start date for check-in and orientation. Your immigration advisor will reach out to schedule your orientation session in-person, or on Zoom prior to your arrival.
To complete the check-in and orientation process, you will need to submit the following to [email protected] BEFORE your scheduled orientation session:
Check-In Form
J-1 Health Insurance Requirements & Agreement
Copy of DS-2019
Copy of J-1 Visa
I-94 Record – to be submitted after arriving to the U.S. (visit CBP website to download your latest I-94 Arrival/Departure Record)
After your orientation and all required check-in documents have been received, ISSS will validate your J-1 record and you will become “active”.
Office Location: Howe Center Building on the Campus Map (add link). ISSS is located on the 9th Floor.
Programs for International Students and Scholars
International Student and Scholar Services hopes you will maximize your time in the U.S. by participating in activities that will help you adjust to life here in the U.S. Below is a list of activities especially for our international student community.
Programs for International Students and Scholars
Life in the U.S.
Public Transportation
Hoboken is a pedestrian-friendly city, which means that you’ll be able to get around very easily on foot! There are, of course, a variety of transportation alternatives to walking and you can get to different parts of New York and New Jersey (including Manhattan and Jersey City) quickly and conveniently by bus, subway, ferry or car.
Getting Around by Car
Information on how to apply for a driver’s license can be found on the ISSS Life in the U.S. Page.
Directions to Stevens’ campus from common points in New Jersey and New York, as well as a directions tool, can be found on Steven' Driving Directions Page.
Campus Shuttle
Stevens offers a free shuttle program to help members of the university community get around Hoboken with ease.
Visit the Stevens Shuttles page to learn about the university’s free shuttle program, including route maps, schedules, and apps to track the location of the shuttles in real-time.
Learn about our parking polices in the Parking Guidelines.
Bus and Train
A number of buses and trains run to and from Hoboken Terminal to locations throughout New York and New Jersey. Visit www.njtransit.com for full scheduling information and for complete train/bus routes. NJ Transit busses that connect Hoboken, Jersey City, and New York City include Routes 126, 87, and 22.
Subway
Take the PATH train from Hoboken Terminal to New York City stations located at a number of locations from Lower Manhattan to Midtown Manhattan. The PATH can also be taken to Jersey City. Visit www.panynj.gov/path for full scheduling information.
Ferry
Take an NY Waterway Ferry from Hoboken Terminal or Hoboken 14th Street to a number of New York City ferry terminals. Visit www.nywaterway.com for full scheduling information.
Housing Information
Hoboken and the local area is an exciting urban community with a great assortment of shops, restaurants, parks, historical sites, businesses and nightlife. Public transportation options abound, and Stevens also offers a robust shuttle program to make nearby neighborhoods extremely accessible to campus. A small number of graduate students live in Stevens Leased Housing apartments – located in Hoboken within walking distance of the campus.
As scholars/professors or student interns, you will not be eligible for student housing unless your sponsoring department has made special housing arrangements for you. The following resources will assist you in finding housing and getting around in the local area:
Hoboken and Surrounding Areas
In general, rents are highest in Hoboken and lower in the surrounding towns of Jersey City, Union City, and Weehawken. Jersey City is very large and is commonly broken down into sub-areas including Newport, Journal Square, Downtown, and the Heights. The real estate market in this area moves very quickly, so students should proactive when looking for accommodations.
Real Estate Agents & Companies
Real estate agents (also known as realtors) can help you navigate through the process of finding an apartment, but realtors charge a fee for their service. Realtor fees (sometimes called "broker fees") are usually equivalent to one month's rent. If you would like to work with a realtor to find an apartment, we recommend the following agencies:
Online Rental Listings
Listed below are some websites that may be useful in the search for non-Stevens housing. This is not a complete list nor an endorsement of the websites listed.
Apartment Finder.com | ApartmentGuide.com | Realtor.com | ApartmentList.com | Rent.com | GSMLS.com
Other Resources
In My Area - A free website that lets students find all of the home service companies available in their neighborhood. Students are able to compare the different internet and cable companies while also seeing what electric, water, and gas companies are available to them. The site is free to use and does not require any personal information.
Estimated Expenses
The cost of living in New Jersey varies depending on location and individual. The wide range of public transit options gives you the freedom to live in many places throughout the state. Most individuals commuting to Stevens, however, choose to live in either Hoboken or Jersey City. You may find information regarding the average costs of frequently purchased items and services for both areas by clicking below:
Links to NUMBEO sites for Hoboken and Jersey City
Cultural Opportunities
Want to learn more about Stevens and Hoboken? The Mile Square Ranked one of the nation’s best college towns by The Princeton Review and “the most exciting small city in America” by Movoto, Stevens’ hometown of Hoboken, N.J. is only one square mile in size, but within this small area is one of the nation’s most unique, vibrant and walkable urban communities. Offering a wide variety of options for shopping, restaurants, parks and nightlife – as well as numerous cultural, music and ethnic festivals throughout the year – Hoboken is a dynamic, comfortable and culturally-diverse residential community as well as popular tourist destination. It is known as the birthplace of baseball and Frank Sinatra, as well as the home of Carlo’s Bakery, famous from TLC’s “Cake Boss.”
Hoboken Cultural Activities
EVs and their dependents are encouraged to participate in cultural activities and events during their time here in the U.S. Refer to Hoboken's Event Calendar to learn more about available events.
ISSS Sponsored Events
Throughout the year, ISSS offers engaging programming aimed at bringing together our J-1 population with the wider Stevens community. With a cross cultural approach to our events, we hope to provide experiences and facilitate networking opportunities for J-1 Exchange Visitors at Stevens. Look out for emails throughout the semester and visit our J-1 “Life in the U.S.” webpage to keep up to date on the latest events.
Information on Taxes, Social Security Numbers, Bank Accounts, and more
As a J-1 exchanges visitor, you will be eligible to apply for a driver’s license in the U.S., and may be eligible for a Social Security Number if you will be employed at Stevens. You will also be required to file taxes every year, regardless of whether you receive a salary in the U.S.
In Case of Emergency
For an ambulance, the fire department, or local police: Call 911
For the Stevens police: Call 201-216-3911
*Please note: Insurance companies do not typically pay ambulance fees, so you should only call an ambulance for a true medical emergency. If you need to see a doctor for routine illness, it is recommended that you travel by public transportation, taxi, or car.
Local Hospitals & Medical Centers
Hoboken University Medical Center and CarePoint Health
Address: 308 Willow Ave, Hoboken, NJ 07030
Phone: (201) 418-1000
Jersey City Medical Center
Address: 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, NJ 07302
Phone: (201) 915-2000
Hackensack University Medical Center
Address: 30 Prospect Ave, Hackensack, NJ 07601
Phone: (551) 996-2000
*Please note: Before making any doctor’s appointments, you should speak with your insurance company to find out what kind of medical coverage you have, and which hospitals or medical centers are covered under your insurance. Stevens Student Health Center may be able to provide you with referrals to reputable doctors in the area, but please note that you will not be able to seek treatment at the Student Health Center itself if you are not in a J-1 student category.