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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…

Minor or Technical Infractions These include, but are not limited to: failure to 1) extend a participant's program before the end date on the Form DS-2019; 2) process a program transfer prior to the end date on the Form DS-2019; or 3) receive approval and an amended Form DS-2019 prior to accepting an honorarium or other type of payment for an allowable activity. The responsible officer may correct the participant's record within 120 days of the stated end date of the participant's program by issuing a new Form DS-2019 that 1) shows continued authorized stay without interruption; 2) indicates the…

Program Extension The responsible officer has the discretion to extend a participant's program to its maximum regulatory duration, that is, to the limit imposed by the regulations specific to a program category or to a program sponsor's designation. A new Form DS-2019 reflecting the extension is issued to the participant. Extensions beyond the maximum program duration are allowed in some program categories for exceptional or unusual circumstances, with approval from the Department of State. To obtain approval for such extensions, the responsible officer must submit an electronic request that justifies the petition and provides supporting documentation to the Department of…

Required Documentation When applying, each visa applicant must submit to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate the following: DS 2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. A SEVIS-generated Form, DS-2019, is provided to you by your program sponsor, after the sponsor enters your information in the SEVIS system. All exchange visitors, including their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 2011 Pilot Summer Work Travel Program participants' Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, will be sent by your U.S. program sponsor directly to the U.S. embassy or consulate where…

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…

Sponsors screen and select their program participants according to the eligibility criteria for each program category. Some categories require that a personal interview be part of the screening and selection process. In addition to program-specific criteria, all participants must satisfy English language proficiency and insurance requirements. Sponsors are to provide participants with pre-arrival information prior to their departure from their home countries and an orientation upon their arrival in the United States. Sponsors are also required to monitor the progress and welfare of the participants for the duration of their programs. English Language Proficiency Participants must possess sufficient proficiency in…