J1 short term scholar visa?

Question

I got short term scholarship visa today. Its issue date is 26 August 2008 and expiry date is 30 September 2008.

I am not sure if these are US entry date period OR the whole visa period?

I know that short term scholar visa is for 6 months.

I am concerned because I will do research in US for at least 1month and I am flying on 12 September.

Answer 1

First, don't worry about the issue date, that was merely the date that the visa was applied in your passport. The controlling document that you have is the DS-2019 form. This should list the dates of study in the US. At the US border they will enter the last date of departure on your I-94 form (you will get this on the plane). The visa dates are not the controlling dates for your program. You may arrive up to 30 days prior to the start date of your program, as shown on your DS-2019 form.