OIA Procedures for Sponsoring J-1 Exchange Visitors

The following describes procedures for obtaining a Form DS-2019 "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (EV, J-1) Status" from the Office of International Affairs for a foreign national who has been offered an academic appointment/visit at the University of Chicago.

Download the required forms from our website and request support documentation from your prospective employee/visitor/scholar. Please review the instructions and checklist. 

A completed request includes:

• Host Department Request Form

• Exchange Visitor (EV) Information Form

• English Language Proficiency Form

  • Information on the Academic English Proficiency Assessment can be found by visiting the University of Chicago Office of Language Assessment. 

• Passport

• CV/Resume

• Copy of signed offer/invitation letter

• Copy of Job/Program Description

• Current/Prior Immigration documents (if applicable)

• "Five-point" letter (if prospective EV is an MD)

• Dependent passport(s) (if applicable)

• Proof of external funding (if applicable)

General processing time is 5-7 business days. Once the request is completed OIA will email the Form DS2019 to the prospective employee/scholar/visitor and department will be copied on that email. Incomplete requests will result in the delayed issuance of the Form DS2019. 

IMPORTANT

Every department that requests - and receives - Forms DS-2019 from OIA to host J-1 exchange visitors at the University of Chicago is required to carry out the following responsibilities:

• Inform OIA of any changes in arrival date if the Exchange Visitor will not arrive on campus within two weeks of the "start date" listed on the Form DS-2019;

• Advise newly arrived J-1 exchange visitors to check in personally at OIA within 3 business days of arrival with all relevant immigration documents (Form DS-2019, passport, I-94 card, and J-1 visa). This includes the documents of any spouse and/or children in J-2 status;

• Inform OIA of early departure of an exchange visitor who leaves his/her program 30 days or more before the indicated "end date" on Form DS-2019;

• Update OIA regarding any changes of funding for the exchange visitor from what was originally indicated on the J-1 request.