The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961. The overall goal of the act, and of the Exchange Visitor Program, is to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges [22 CFR § 62.1(a)].

CSU’s International Student and Scholar Services office can create DS-2019 immigration documents to assist prospective exchange visitors in applying for a J-1 visa. Exchange visitors at CSU are typically engaged in research, teaching, consulting, observing, or demonstrating special skills.

Minimum Funding Requirements for J-1 Exchange Visitors

Currency is listed in USD | Dependent expenses cap at $28,500 | Actual expenses may vary.
Estimated Costs:Living Expenses per Month:Living Expenses per Year:
Research Scholar
Professor
Short Term Scholar
Specialist
$2000$24,000
Additional Expenses:
Dependent Spouse/Child
$792
$9500

Instructions for Completing This Form

Procedure

The process for bringing an exchange visitor to CSU is as follows:

  1. The prospective exchange visitor must complete the Scholar Form.
  2. The department sponsor must complete the Department Form.
  3. All supporting documents outlined in these packets must be included.
  4. After receiving both completed J-1 request packets and all supporting documents, ISSS will process a DS-2019 immigration document, which the visitor can use to apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. consulate in their home country.

To allow the visitor sufficient time to apply for a visa, secure housing, and purchase health insurance, ISSS must receive the completed request packet a minimum of 8 weeks prior to the requested program start date.

Materials Required

The following items must accompany this packet:

  • Proof of payment or an account number to charge the administrative fee (see below)
  • Visitor’s passport identity page (and passport identity pages for dependent family members if applicable)
  • Documentation of funding
  • Assessment of exchange visitor’s English language proficiency
  • The host department will need to assign a CSU ID number for the visitor by entering the visitor’s information into Oracle (employee/associate). The name, date of birth, and gender must be entered exactly as they appear on the visitor’s passport.
  • Current CV of the exchange visitor
  • Export compliance questionnaire, if applicable
  • For visitors transferring from another U.S. institution, copy(ies) of current DS-2019

Administrative Fee

  • Research Scholar/Professor/Specialist Category: $400
  • Short-Term Scholar Category for Period of 4 Weeks or Longer: $400
  • Short-Term Scholar Category for Period of Less than 4 Weeks: $100

Payment Methods

Departments: The host department may pay the administrative fee by providing an account number which ISSS will charge through the University Kuali System.

Visitors: May pay by credit card on our secure online payment system (Choose “ISSS” and then “Initial DS-2019” for the requested category).

Additional Information

Housing

On-campus housing availability is very limited and temporary in nature. Prospective exchange visitors can apply for CSU housing once they have been assigned a CSU ID number and have created a NetID, but should keep in mind that there is no guarantee of a placement and there is a one year maximum for scholars.

Application & Assignments – Housing & Dining Services 

English Proficiency

The U.S. Department of State mandated that J-1 exchange visitors including short-term scholars, research scholars, professors, specialists, and student interns, have sufficient English proficiency [22 CFR §62.10(a)(2)].

Sponsors must establish and utilize a method to screen and select prospective exchange visitors to ensure that they are eligible for program participation, and that:

  1. The program is suitable to the exchange visitor’s background, needs, and experience; and
  2. The exchange visitor possesses sufficient English proficiency as determined by an objective proficiency measurement to successfully participate in his or her program and to function successfully on a day-to-day basis.

A sponsor must verify an applicant’s English language proficiency through a recognized English language test, by signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school, or through a documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in-person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option.

 

To comply with this regulation, it must be established that the prospective J-1 scholar has a sufficient level of English proficiency. ISSS cannot issue Form DS-2019 without valid documentation.

The English Proficiency Requirement can be satisfied by submitting documentation of at least one of the following:

  • Documentation that the prospective J-1 exchange visitor is a Native English speaker from Australia, Belize, Botswana, Canada (except Quebec), Commonwealth Caribbean, Ghana, Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, or Zimbabwe.
  • Copy of diploma from U.S. institution or foreign institution where instruction occurred in English. Degree must have been earned within the last five years.
  • Copy of official scores from one of the following English language tests taken within the last two years and meeting the stated minimum score noted below:
    • Language Assessment
  • A signed letter from an academic institution or English language school that is internationally recognized indicating prospective exchange visitor’s level of English proficiency. The letter must be dated within the last two years, state the dates when the potential scholar attended the institution or school, and affirm that the prospective exchange visitor achieved at least intermediate level skills.
  • J-1 English Proficiency Interview Assessment Report from an interview conducted in English by an instructor from Programs for Learning Academic and Community English (PLACE) with the prospective exchange visitor. International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) can arrange this option upon request.

Export Compliance Questionnaire

Form should only be completed by applicant’s direct supervisor or a person with intimate knowledge of the work that will be performed by the applicant. Signature indicates responsible party of applicant’s work.

Please do not leave any blanks. If a question does not apply, indicate “N/A.” If a question will apply in the future, but the details are unknown at the present time, indicate “TBD.”