Before Arrival for Scholars

ISSS will send you a link for you to complete the  J-1 Questionnaire. The unit that invites you must start the process with ISSS before you are sent the link. 

Within 10 business days of receiving a complete request, ISSS sends Form(s) DS-2019 via email for you and your J-2 dependents, if applicable

For J-1 transfers, ISSS issues the DS-2019(s) after the transfer release date

What is Form DS-2019?

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.

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is administered by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to track J-1 Exchange Visitors.

As a new J-1 Exchange Visitor, you are required to pay a SEVIS fee of USD $220 before you can obtain your J-1 visa or before you enter the U.S. if you are visa exempt.

• The fee is not charged if you are transferring from one program to another unless you are moving from a government J program to a non-government J program.
• Accompanying family members entering as J-2 dependents do not pay the fee.

Pay the fee at https://fmjfee.com, the SEVIS I-901 fee processing website, before your visa interview appointment or before you enter the U.S. You will need

• University of Colorado Denver Exchange Visitor Program Number: P-1-03858
• Your SEVIS number from the top right corner of Form DS-2019. It starts with N and has 10 numbers.

Print the I-901 receipt to take to your visa interview and/or to present when you enter the U.S.

J-1 exchange visitors may enter the U.S. no more than 30 days before the start date on Form DS-2019 and/or the start date in the SEVIS record.

A J-1 Exchange Visitor program is limited to the following:

J-1 Category	J-1 Length of stay*
Research Scholar	3 weeks to 5 years
Professor	3 weeks to 5 years
Short-term Scholar	Up to 6 months (no extensions
Specialist	3 weeks to 1 year
Student Intern	3 weeks to 1 year

* J-1 lengths of stay do not replace university policy on appointment time limits. See Equal Pay for Equal Work Act Posting Guidance and Policy for Research Postdoctoral Fellows-Trainees.

A J-1 Exchange visitor has a 30-day grace period following the end date on the DS-2019 or the completion of the J program to

• Depart the U.S.
• Apply for another immigration status for which they may be eligible.

During the 30-day grace period, J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors are not in J visa status. They may not continue and/or complete exchange activities, nor may they be employed. The USCIS grants the grace period to allow exchange visitors to travel, settle their affairs, and prepare to return to their home countries. Although exchange visitors may travel in the United States, they should not travel beyond the borders of the United States, as they may not be permitted reentry in J-1 or J-2 status.

A J-1 Exchange Visitor who wants to transfer out to another J program must transfer before the end date on Form DS-2019 and submit a request to ISSS 10 business days before the transfer date.