J-1 Scholars Application Procedures
There are 3 things you must do to initiate a request for an J-1 Exchange Visitor:
- The Department Chair will need to make a formal request in writing to International Scholar Services at the International Centre, 2908 University Avenue, Stop 7109. If you have any questions, please call Dr. William Young at (701) 777-3935.
- Your Department must submit a UND Journal Entry to International Scholar Services to pay the $100 Processing Fee for each J-1 Exchange Visitor. This is a one-time (non-refundable) fee for initial and transfer exchange visitors. The Department needs to pay this fee before International Scholar Services processes the Exchange Visitor request. Here is an example of a Journal Entry form.
- You must thoroughly complete and submit a SEVIS Biosheet for each Exchange Visitor to International Scholar Services.
Next, International Scholar Services will create a SEVIS Form DS-2019 through the US Department of State's SEVIS system.
International Scholar Services will provide your Department with the following:
- A Welcome Letter from the UND Office of International Programs to the J-1 Exchange Visitor.
- A copy of the Department of State’s The Exchange Visitor Program Welcome Brochure.
- SEVIS Form(s) DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, which is required for the application of a J-1 (and J-2 dependent) visas at an U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.
- Instructions for paying the mandatory $180.00 SEVIS Fee to the Department of Homeland Security.
- An Instruction Sheet that outlines the procedures the Exchange Visitor needs to follow to obtain a J-1 (and J-2 dependent) visas from an U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. (Note: A Canadian does not need a visa stamp in his or her passport. A Canadian is only required to show his or her Form DS-2019 at the Port of Entry to obtain status as a J-1 Exchange Visitor.
Your Department will be responsible for expressing mailing the above documents to the individual abroad.
Once the Exchange Visitor receives the above documents from your Department, he or she needs to pay the SEVIS fee, and then make an appointment with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in his or her country. The Embassy/Consulate will process the J-1 visa request. Therefore, the Exchange Visitor should ask the Embassy/Consulate about the procedures involved in obtaining the J-1 (and J-2 dependent) visas.
The following are some of the documents the Exchange Visitor will need to take to his or her appointment at the Embassy/Consulate:
- Current passport (Must be valid for at least 6 months into the future)
- Proof of SEVIS fee payment to the Department of Homeland Security SEVIS Form(s)
- DS-2019
- Evidence of financial ability to meet expenses at UND
- Evidence of English ability sufficient for the exchange program. The consular officer will determine whether the applicant has sufficient knowledge of the English language to permit him or her to undertake the particular program.
- Evidence of residence abroad and intent to depart the United States after the completion of the exchange program. The applicant for a J-1 visa must establish to the satisfaction of the consular officer that he or she has a residence abroad which he or she has no intention of abandoning.
- Photographs
If the application for a J-1 visa is approved, the Consular Officer will stamp the visa in the Exchange Visitor’s passport. The consular officer will also note the period of validity and the number of entries for which the visa is valid. Moreover, the consular officer will note whether or not the Exchange Visitor is subject to the Two-Year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement. The consular officer will then return the Form(s) DS-2019 to the Exchange Visitor.
