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Arrival for Scholars

J-1 Scholar Exchange Visitor Program Overview

After Arrival

Welcome to the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus. You will join nearly 1,500 international students and scholars from almost 100 countries. We hope that your time here will be both rewarding and supportive of your personal and professional goals.

Now that you have received Form(s) DS-2019, paid the SEVIS fee, applied for J-1 and J-2 entry visas (citizens of Canada and Bermuda are exempt), and made travel arrangements, the information below will prepare you for arriving in the U.S. and the first steps after you arrive.

J-1 transfer-in scholars do not pay the SEVIS fee again or apply for visas. The DS-2019 will be issued after the transfer-in date.

During your stay in the U.S. it is important safeguard your immigration documents, keep copies and monitor expiration dates. ISSS is required to keep your records for a certain period of time, so it is your responsibility to keep your own records.

For admission to the U.S. your passport must be valid for 6 months from the end date on Form DS-2019 unless your passport is issued by a country that has an agreement with the U.S. to consider the passport valid for 6 months beyond its expiration.

During your time in the United States, it is your responsibility to maintain a valid passport. An ISSS advisor will confirm the validity of your passport before approving an extension of your program or signing your DS-2019 for travel.

If you need to renew or replace your passport while in the U.S., allow sufficient time to do so before your current passport expires. For information about renewing or replacing your passport, contact your Embassy or Consulate in the U.S

Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, is an official form used by the United States government to keep a record of a J-1 scholar or researcher.

A program sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State issues Form DS-2019 which contains important program details for the scholar, including the visit's purpose and duration, funding information, and sponsor details.

Form DS-2019 is required to obtain a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas and to enter and maintain legal status in the U.S. as a J-1 exchange visitor.

  • University of Colorado Denver’s Exchange Visitor Program Number: P-1-03858.
  • Your SEVIS number is in the upper, right corner of Form DS-2019.

The consular officer who issues your visa should complete the Preliminary Endorsement section of the form. For Canadian citizens, this should be done at the Port of Entry into the United States.

You may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the start date on the form and you must depart the U.S. or apply for another immigration status within 30 days after the end date.

Note that you are only permitted to engage in activities authorized under the program and category specified on Form DS-2019.

The document placed in your passport by the U.S. Consulate when you submitted the "Form DS-2019" is called a visa. This visa is only used for entry into the United States and does not grant permission to remain in the U.S. It is not required to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the U.S. If you wish to apply for an extension of stay, the validity of the visa stamp is not a determining factor. However, if you plan to travel outside the U.S. and return to J status, your visa stamp must be valid.

If you need to obtain a new J visa, it is recommended that you review the visa application information on the U.S. Consulate's website in the city where you will be applying. This will ensure that you allow sufficient time, complete the correct forms, and follow all necessary steps.

Please see http://usembassy.state.gov/ for more information.

Regarding Form I-94 for J Scholars: U.S. Customs and Border Protection records your arrival and departure when you enter and leave the United States. Since May 2013, this information is collected and maintained electronically. Upon entry, a stamp is placed on your passport as proof of legal entry into the U.S. The stamp contains important information such as the port of entry, entry date, admitted status (J-1), and status end date (such as D/S, meaning "Duration of Status"). It is essential to ensure that the stamp contains accurate information. For dependents, the stamp should be endorsed as “Class: J-2” and “Until: D/S.” In case the entry stamp in your passport or that of your dependents is not properly endorsed, please schedule an appointment with an International Services Specialist immediately.

To keep a record of your electronic I-94, please visit the CBP website at https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ and print a paper copy to include with your other immigration documents. Also, please provide a copy of the updated I-94 to ISSS each time you travel outside the U.S. and re-enter.

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