THE J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program allows WU 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. may also serve as the J-1 visa sponsor for scholars at WU. These organizations may provide the individual with his or her visa document, but the OISS still needs to be aware of their presence, and the scholar should still check in with the OISS. These organizations include:
   - the Fulbright Commission,
   - the Institute for International Education (IIE),
   - the National Institute of Health (NIH),
   - the World Health Organization (WHO),
   - the United States Agency for International Development (USAID),
   - and the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG)

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 research scholars.

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, they are acting as the J-1 visa sponsor. If the scholar is sponsored by another J-1 program, such as those listed above, that organization is responsible for processing the DS-2019 form.

General Information for Professors, Research Scholars and Short-Term Scholars

Housing

Traveling

Dependents