These instructions are for scholars/professors/researchers coming to Georgia Tech who have received the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility:
- Obtaining a J Visa and Entering the United States
- Entering the United States
- Transferring from One J-1 Program to Another Within the United States
- Social Security Rules
- Two-Year Home Residency Rule
- Orientation
Obtaining a J Visa and Entering the United States
To apply for the J-1 visa, present the DS-2019, your valid passport, proof of payment of the $180 SEVIS fee, and verification of financial support to the United States embassy or consulate. You can access the visa application procedures for particular US Embassies and Consulates at the Department of State Web site: www.state.gov. If applying for a visa, you will need to pay for the SEVIS fee three days prior to your appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate. You can pay the SEVIS fee with a credit card at: www.fmjfee.com. Print out the receipt and take it with you when you apply for the visa. If your spouse or unmarried children (under age 21) are accompanying you to the U.S. they may apply for J-2 visas at the same time. Proof of relationship may be required. Dependents do not need to pay for the SEVIS fee. Proof of relationship may be required. Upon approval of your visa application, the consular officer should return the DS-2019 to you along with your passport containing your J-1 visa.
You have a 60 day window of opportunity to enter the US as a J-1 visa holder. You can enter no earlier than 30 days before and no later than 30 days after the start date of your DS-2019 (#3 of the form). If you will not be able to enter within this time frame, please contact your Georgia Tech sponsoring department immediately.
Entering the United States
At the port of entry into the U.S., you will need to present your passport, verification of support, and form DS-2019 to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. The officer will return the DS-2019 along with an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record card and your passport. The officer indicates that you have entered the country legally by stamping all three documents. This is usually evidenced by a stamp of the date of entry, the visa status, and the designation "D/S" on the DS-2019, the upper right corner of the I-94, and on the passport page opposite your visa stamp in the passport. These three documents are very important to you during your stay in the U.S. and should be kept in a safe places at all times. They are proof of your legal J-1 status and you will need them for such purposes as extending your permission to stay in the U.S., re-entry to this country after temporary trips abroad, applying for a Social Security card, and obtaining a Georgia driver's license.
Canadians Exchange Visitors:
Canadian nationals entering the United States as J-1 exchange visitors do not need to apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate before entering the U.S. At the pre-flight inspection area, proof of entry or border crossing, the Canadian national need only present a document verifying their Canadian citizenship and form DS-2019.
All J-1 visitors must report to the Office of International Education (OIE) upon arrival. Failing to report to OIE will result in your being out of status. When you come to OIE, please bring your passport, DS-2019 form, and I-94 card.
Transferring from One J-1 Program to Another Within the United States
If you will be traveling outside the United States between programs:
Use the new Georgia Institute of Technology DS-2019 form, along with your valid J-1 visa in your passport to re-enter the U.S. in J-1 status. If your J-1 visa has expired, you must obtain a new and valid J-1 visa from the closest U.S. embassy or consulate. The change of program will be noted at the port of entry.
If you will NOT be traveling outside of the United States between programs:
Within the 30 days before completion date of your exchange visitor program at your current university, you must consulte with the Responsible Officer of your current program in order to be released you from their program. You will be able to pick up the completed DS-2019 from Georgia Tech upon arrival in Atlanta from the Office of International Education.
Social Security Rules
Further information can be found here.
Two-Year Home Residency Rule
Some, but not all, exchange visitors are subject to this requirement. Through this provision, the Department of State helps ensure that your home country benefits from your educational and cultural exchange activity upon your return from the U.S. If you are subject to this requirement, you will not be able to change from J-1 status while in the U.S. You will not be eligible for an H1-B visa, L visa, or immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate until you have physically resided in your country of residency for two years. For the terms of the requirement, please review item 1a on the back of copy number 1 (white copy) of your DS-2019 form. If you have any questions about the two year home residency requirement, including whether or not you are subject to it, please ask the U.S. Consular officer when you apply for your visa, or ask our office when you arrive.
Orientation
The Office of International Education offers a mandatory scholar orientation program. Upon arrival at the Georgia Institute of Technology. When you report to OIE, an orientation will be scheduled for you. Note that this orientation is separate and different than the new employee orientation that some exchange visitors will attend at the Office of Human Resources. The Office of International Education number is 404-894-7475. When you come for orientation, please bring your passport, DS-2019 form, I-94 card and evidence of health insurance.