J-1 On-line Request

The process to request the form DS-2019 begins with the J-1 Sponsoring Department initiating an invitation to the exchange visitor through the UCSB SEVIS System:

The SEVIS Dept. user in your Department will initiate the process by entering the following information online:

• Last and First name of the exchange visitor (as in the passport)
• The exchange visitor’s email address

The UCSB SEVIS System will generate a username/password that will be sent to the exchange visitor’s email address, provided above.

The following steps identify what each responsible party does in the J-1 DS-2019 request process:

1. Exchange Visitor
   • Once the exchange visitor receives the username/password, he/she will log onto the UCSB SEVIS System to complete the DS-2019 online request form. The exchange visitor will enter his/her biographical information, description of activity, duration of J-1 program, and funding amount.
   • A Cirriculum Vitae should be sent to the Sponsoring Dept. for review.
   • A copy of the exchange visitor’s passport validity page should be faxed to OISS at (805) 893-7132 or by email at oiss@sa.ucsb.edu
2. Sponsoring Dept.
   • The Sponsoring Dept. receives confirmation from the UCSB SEVIS System once the exchange visitor has properly submitted the J-1 DS-2019 online request. The Dept. user signs onto the UCSB SEVIS System to review and approve the J-1 DS-2019 online request.
   • Please make sure to review the entire form carefully before submitting. This will help OISS make sure the information is correct before the J-1 DS-2019 form is issued. Make sure to check the biographical information of the exchange visitor (name, birthdate, etc.), program dates, and funding. The funding amount should be total amount for the duration of the J-1 program in U.S. Dollars.
3. OISS - Once the DS-2019 request has been approved by the Sponsoring Dept., OISS will make the final preparations to submit the request to the federal SEVIS database. The process takes 2-3 business days for the form DS-2019 to be issued for the exchange visitor.

Please download our quick guide on how to request the J-1 DS-2019.

Tips & Hints:

Here are a few pieces of information that will help you determine the best way to process a DS-2019 request:

• The J-1 DS-2019 request may only be filed 6 months in advance of the proposed program start date.
• Please check your Department’s Scholars list in the UCSB SEVIS System to see if your exchange visitor is a returning scholar.
• Use the J-1 Short-Term Scholar category if the exchange visitor will be attending your Department for six months or less.
• Please carefully review the content on the J-1 DS-2019 Request Form before approving. Names, birthdates, and funding amount are sometimes entered incorrectly by the exchange visitor.
• The funding amount should be the total amount funded for the J-1 program in U.S. dollars.
• OISS will mail the DS-2019 Packet to the exchange visitor using standard international air mail. This takes between 2-3 weeks for delivery. If the Department would like to send the DS-2019 Packet by express mail, please mark the “Rush” option on top of the online request form so OISS may notify you on the day the DS-2019 is issued.
• Please notify OISS to update the Department Users for the UCSB SEVIS System.

For comments and suggestions, please contact OISS at sevis@sa.ucsb.edu