Inviting a J–1 Scholar
Procedures to obtain the J–1 Visa (for all 3 categories NOT student)
Step 1
The U of MN hosting department needs to request a DS-2019 from ISSS.
The DS-2019 is the J legal document, needed for the J entry visa application process, entry into the U.S. and for maintaining legal status in the U.S.
Important:
ISSS requires all departments to create a record in PeopleSoft for those individuals coming to the U of MN on a J-1 visa (Research Scholar, Professor, Short-term Scholar) paid or unpaid. A PeopleSoft record and ID must also be created for all J-2 dependents. A PeopleSoft record needs to be created immediately for each J-1 and their dependent and must be written on the DS-2019 application. A DS-2019 cannot be created without a PeopleSoft ID. ISSS will process and release the DS-2019 based on the completion of the department request form and the PeopleSoft record.
The department downloads and completes the application, "Department Request for New DS-2019 for Scholar.” Please follow the Instructions Carefully.
Please Note:
Is the individual currently an undergraduate student in their home country? If so, our office requires additional information as required by the J-1 visa regulations. The reason being, J-1 visas are typically for individuals with advanced degrees. See Sample Undergraduate Student Statement.
Submit the completed application to ISSS. It will take our office up to four weeks to process the request. If the application is not complete, processing time will take longer. We will not process these more than 6 months before the start date of the J-1 activity at the U of MN. But if you feel an exception should be made, please contact Antonella Corsi-Bunker at 612-626-7100.
See Transfer of J Scholars if the scholar is currently on a J visa at another U.S. institution.
See Change of Status if the scholar is currently in the U.S. on a different visa type.
Step 2
The DS-2019 is picked up by the department who than sends it to the visitor. ISSS will generally notify the department when the document is ready for pick-up. Many departments send the DS-2019 via Fed-Ex or another private carrier to help ensure timely delivery.
Step 3
The visitor will need to go to the U.S. Consulate/Embassy in their home country to apply for the J-1 entry visa stamp.
They need to bring:
- DS-2019
- Passport
- Proof of funding/support
- Letter of Invitation
They should contact the U.S. embassy where they will apply, for further application requirements
Step 4
At the U.S. border, visitor needs to show the customs officer:
- Passport with J-1 visa
- Letter of Invitation
- DS-2019
- Proof of funding/support
- Arrival/Departure Card (I-94).
Step 5
Report to ISSS immediately upon arrival to the U of MN. ISSS must validate the J-1's participation in SEVIS within 30 days of the J-1's entry into the U.S. or the J-1 loses his or her visa status. Due to processing time required, s/he must report to ISSS within 25 days of their start date.
They need to bring all of their visa documents to ISSS, so that we may photocopy them and create a file. If the individual will be paid by the U of MN, they are required to present their visa documents to Central Payroll once they have checked in with ISSS. The J-1 Scholar will also need to go to Boynton Health Services to purchase the mandatory insurance for themselves and their J-2 dependents.
Forms and Instructions for UMN Departments to invite J-1 scholars
(Including scholars who are already in the US and are transferring to the UMN from other institutions - to learn more about the transfer process, please see more details . .....)
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