INFORMATION FOR J-1 EXCHANGE VISITORS

THE J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program allows Washington University to bring international scholars to the United States. The university has been approved by the U.S. State Department to serve as the visa sponsor for these individuals.

Federal regulations govern the J Exchange Visitor and the J visa sponsor. The intent of the program is exchange of knowledge; the assumption is that the international scholar is coming temporarily to the U.S. and expects to return home. The J-1 exchange visitor classification is appropriate for many educational and research activities.

Note about J-1 Sponsors

To apply for the J-1 visa stamp overseas, scholars are issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status, commonly referred to as form DS-2019. The OISS requests and processes the DS-2019 form via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). When the OISS processes the DS-2019 for an exchange visitor, Washington University is acting as the J-1 visa sponsor.

If the scholar is sponsored by another J-1 program, that organization is responsible for processing the DS-2019 form. A scholar may be sponsored by an organization such as Fullbright Commission, Institute for International Education (IIE), National Institute of Health (NIH), World Health Organization (WHO), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Educational Commission for Foreign Medical graduates (ECFMG). If you are sponsored by an organization other than Washington University, please refer to the Other Visa Types section of our website.

The information provided in the links below is intended for J-1 exchange visitors sponsored by Washington University.

For New J-1 Exchange Visitors

Exchange Visitor Program Welcome Brochure

J-1 Pre-Arrival Information

Arriving in St. Louis

Transferring to Washington University

Changing Status to J-1

Housing

Finding Housing

Employee Change of Address Instructions

Traveling

J-1 Travel Guidelines

Applying For A J Visa And Automatic Visa Revalidation

Maintaining J-1 Status

Responsibilites of a J-1 Scholar (PDF)

J-1 Documents

Health Insurance Requirement

Extensions and Amendments

Employment Regulations

Attending Classes

30-Day Grace Period

12- and 24-Month Bars

Two-Year home Residency Requirement and Waivers

J-2 Dependents