How can I obtain a Form DS-2019? Designated sponsors are authorized to issue this form to prospective exchange visitors they have screened and selected for participation in the exchange visitor program (see How To Apply). The information in this form is completed by the sponsor prior to being given to the participant, who once given the DS-2019, can apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate for the J-1 visa. Issuance of the J-1 visa, like all non-immigrant visas, is at the discretion of Consular Officers viewing visa applications at U.S. embassies and consulates. This means that even if you are…
Video Transcript Remarks by Robin J. Lerner, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Statefor Private Sector Exchange The J1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program welcomes nearly 280,000 visitors each year from outside the United States on one of our thirteen different types of cultural exchange programs. Our exchange visitors experience American society as students, teachers, young professionals, and scholars. While in the United States they enrich all kinds of American institutions, as well as American families and businesses. They are bright, motivated, and leaders in their home countries and they return home to do great things all while keeping in touch with their…
Both F-1 and J-1 visas may permit international students to study at a college or university in the United States. However, there are key differences between the two programs. F-1 Visas An F-1 student’s primary purpose for coming to the United States is to complete a full-time program of study at any grade level at a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified school. For many F-1 students, this program of study is a postsecondary education at an SEVP-certified college or university. Because studying is an F-1 student’s primary purpose, students with F-1 visas must be enrolled in a full course of study while…
By Tanya Burovtseva, InterExchange sponsor organization Arriving in a new country and embarking on a cultural exchange experience is not an easy task. Surrounding oneself with a network of like-minded individuals from the very beginning makes the J-1 Visa exchange program experience more interesting and fun. InterExchange, one of the J-1 Visa sponsors, facilitated a series of weekly cultural meet-ups in its headquarters in New York City in June. These meet-ups helped participants learn about features of American culture and included discussions about cultural ambassadorship and the role of people-to-people diplomacy. The meet-ups also engaged exchange participants in cultural events…
May 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Exchange Visitor Program’s Office of Private Sector Exchange Program Administration (OPA) The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program has undergone many changes since its creation through the Fulbright-Hays Act in September 1961. At its core, the Exchange Visitor Program seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. All foreign nationals that participate in the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) inbound exchange programs travel on J-1 exchange visitor visas. Over 90% of the approximately…
The Biden Administration’s effort to provide a simplified and seamless customer experience for the public took a great step forward today when the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), published an Interim Final Rule in the Federal Register that permits designated sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program to digitally sign and electronically transmit the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant) (Form DS-2019). The new rule is effective as of April 27, 2023. “We’re thrilled that sponsors can now digitally sign and electronically transmit the DS-2019 form,” said Director for the Office of Private…
Advisory Letters Au Pair Host Family Appreciation Letter (2024) (PDF) Au Pair Welcome Letter (2024) (PDF) College or University Student Letter (2024) (PDF) Camp Counselor Welcome Letter (2024) (PDF) Intern Welcome Letter (2024) (PDF) Newly Validated Exchange Visitor Email (2022) (PDF) Professor Welcome Letter (2024) (PDF) Secondary School Student School Admin Appreciation Letter (2024) (PDF) Secondary School Student Host Family Appreciation Letter (2024) (PDF) Secondary School Student letter (2024) (PDF) Scholar Welcome letter (2024) (PDF) Summer Work Travel Host Employee letter (2024) (PDF) Summer Work Travel Participant letter (2024) (PDF) Teacher Host School letter (2024) (PDF) Teacher Welcome letter (2024)…
Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation The Office of Private Sector Exchange Designation deals specifically with the following: Reviewing designation and re-designation applications Reviewing annual reports to acknowledge, assist, and to resolve sponsor’s issues or concerns to administer a successful program Assisting sponsors with J-visa related inquiries and regulatory interpretations; as well as responding to requests for change of category, extension, reinstatements, or permission to issue Providing daily outreach to assist sponsors and to evaluate the effectiveness of program categories Reviewing program requests: * Adding officials * Amendments * Form DS-2019 allotments and expansion requests * Other matters regarding program administration *…
Video Transcript Slide #1 This presentation covers the Department of State related updates that will be in SEVIS release 6.62. The release is scheduled for the evening of Friday June 3, 2022. Slide #2 As an overview, we will be covering the following topics in this presentation: Automatic e-mail notifications that will be sent to exchange visitors when their status changes The addition of the e-mail address field to status correction pages Added details to certain events in Event History Updates to the Department of State contact information on the Form DS-3036 submission page And the ability to invalidate a…
The Form DS-2019, “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant),” is a Department of State controlled document that can only be produced through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is the Department of Homeland Security database developed to maintain information on F, M, and J visa holders. The Form DS-2019 is required to support an application for a nonimmigrant J visa for exchange visitors (J-1) and their accompanying spouses and dependents (J-2), if any. It is a two-page document. Foreign nationals are required to sign page one of the form agreeing with the certification statement found…
