Exchange employees from outside the state are identified in statute as ineligible for URS retirement benefits.
Board Resolution 2019-02 provides a definition of an exchange employee as “…an employee of a participating employer with a valid nonimmigrant visa for participation in exchange visitor visa programs in the United States. Such visas include the Exchange Visitor Visas (J category) and the Cultural Exchange Visas (Q category).”
Employees with visas other than J category or Q category should NOT be considered exchange employees.
It is important your office tracks the visa status of those with J category and Q category visas because once their visas expire or changes are made with their immigration status, they can no longer be considered exchange employees.
Additionally, your office needs to certify your exchange employees annually. Failure to do so will result in the expiration of the exchange employee status.