The U.S. Department of State (DOS) J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) Program exists to promote educational and cultural exchange. The Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) at WashU brings EVs to campus temporarily with the expectation that they will return home with their new knowledge and skills. The J-1 EV status is appropriate for many educational and research activities.

IF YOU ARE A DEPARTMENT LOOKING TO HOST A J-1 SCHOLAR:

Invite a J-1 Exchange Visitor
ON THIS PAGE
J-1 sponsorship
J-1 pre-arrival information
J-1 arrival at WashU
J-1s not sponsored by WashU

J-1 sponsorship

OISS requests and processes Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) status via the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). J-1 EVs use the DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa stamp overseas. When OISS processes the DS-2019 for an exchange visitor, WashU is acting as the J-1 visa sponsor.

If the J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) comes to WashU with a DS-2019 issued by another organization, that organization is responsible for processing the EV’s J-1 program. If you are sponsored by an organization other than WashU, refer to J-1s not sponsored by WashU.

Before issuing the DS-2019, OISS must receive important information from the EV’s sponsoring department. This information includes but is not limited to the prospective EV’s biographical data and educational background as well as information about the nature and the objectives of the EV’s appointment with the sponsoring department. After confirming eligibility, OISS issues a DS-2019, which the EV will use to obtain a U.S. entry visa. Find information for WashU Prospective J-1 Scholars online.

Transferring to WashU

Current J-1 EVs interested in transferring to WashU must be invited by a specific department. Your sponsoring department will send necessary paperwork to complete your transfer. Along with completing the required paperwork with the sponsoring department, you will be required to provide a copy of your DS-2019(s), passport(s), and I-94 arrival record(s).

After receiving the necessary paperwork from your department, OISS will contact your current J-1 program sponsor to arrange the transfer of your SEVIS record. Once your SEVIS record has been transferred, you should check in with OISS as soon as possible; check-in must be completed no later than 15 days after the transfer date. Check-In documents must be emailed to J1Scholar@wustl.edu. You will receive additional information from the OISS scholar team via email.

Changing status to J-1

If you are in the U.S. and would like to change status to J-1 to start a program at WashU, your sponsoring department should contact OISS at J1Scholar@wustl.edu to talk about your eligibility and the procedure to change status. Due to the 12- and 24-month bars, a J-2 dependent of a Research Scholar or Professor, or a J-1 changing status, may have limited options.

J-1 pre-arrival information

Travel arrangements

If you are outside of the U.S., your department will send your DS-2019 to you via email, digitally signed by an OISS adviser. Make sure to download, print and sign your DS-2019. After you do so, you will need to obtain a J-1 visa in your passport. Read the information on applying for a J-1 visa carefully. After you have received your J-1 visa, you should make your travel arrangements to the U.S.

Check the start date on your DS-2019 before making travel arrangements. You may not arrive in the U.S. more than 30 days before or after your start date. If you cannot arrive during this time frame, contact your department so that OISS can amend your DS-2019. We recommend you schedule your arrival for a few days before the program start date on your DS-2019 so you can search for housing and settle in. Immigration regulations do not allow you to begin your program before your DS-2019 start date.

J-1 health insurance requirement

J-1 EV Program regulations require that J-1 EVs (both students and scholars) and their J-2 dependents carry health insurance meeting specific minimum standards (Code of Federal Regulations – 22 CFR 62.14). Failure to maintain required insurance coverage can result in termination of J status and have other adverse immigration consequences. In order to comply with immigration regulations, EVs who are not eligible for WashU benefits must obtain compliant insurance coverage before coming to the U.S. Health care expenses in the U.S. can be costly. Therefore, you may want to consider higher levels of coverage as amounts listed below may not be sufficient to cover all expenses for medical care. More information is available on the Maintaining J-1 Status page.

J-1 arrival at WashU

You must complete the following steps when beginning a new J program at WashU:

Department check-in

Within three (3) days of beginning your J-1 program at WashU, check in with your sponsoring department.

At that time you will complete appropriate payroll paperwork. If you are classified as a paid university employee receiving wages, you must complete the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification within three (3) days of your employment start date. Next, follow the Steps for Newly Hired Foreign Nationals.

OISS check-in and orientation

OISS check-in

All new J-1 Scholars must check in with OISS upon arrival to submit immigration documents and to attend mandatory online orientation. Checking in allows OISS to gather necessary information to validate your arrival in SEVIS, which must be done within 30 days of your arrival. Send the following documents via email attachments to J1Scholar@wustl.edu within 5 days of arrival to WashU:

J-1 Scholar Orientation

The U.S. Department of State requires that all new J-1 Exchange Visitor Scholars participate in an orientation program provided by the program sponsor. At WashU, the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (OISS) delivers this important orientation information via an online course that you can complete at your own pace. We recommend completing the course upon receiving your DS-2019.

After completing the course, you will receive a Certificate of Completion, which is required for your immigration check-in with OISS upon arrival to campus. This is a required course.

Access the J-1 Scholar Online Orientation Course.

Social Security number

Once you have been in the U.S. at least ten (10) business days and have been validated in SEVIS, you are eligible to apply for a Social Security Number.

Foreign national payroll

Be prepared to complete information in the Foreign National Information System (FNIS). Learn more about FNIS.

J-1s not sponsored by WashU

Read this section if your J-1 is not sponsored by WashU.

About J-1 sponsors

An EV may be sponsored by an organization such as Fulbright 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). The organization that sponsors you is responsible for processing the DS-2019 form.

All J-1 EVs are welcome to participate in any programs or activities offered by OISS or WashU.

Check-in and payroll

If you are paid by WashU, you should:

  1. Check in with your sponsoring department at WashU and begin completing paperwork for WashU payroll processing. If you are a paid employee at WashU receiving wages, you must complete Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification and payroll paperwork within three (3) days of your employment start date. Check in with your sponsoring department to learn more about your employee/pay type.
  2. Be prepared to complete information in the Foreign National Information System (FNIS). You will be required to submit documents that include, but are not limited to the following:
    • Passport biographical page
    • J-1 entry visa
    • DS-2019, most recent copy
    • I-94 admission record, most recent copy

Maintaining status

Exchange visitors not sponsored by WashU should contact their J-1 program sponsor with any questions about maintaining status.