All prospective J-1 visitors (scholars) must first be invited by an academic department or research institute within UCSB.  If invited, the academic department/research institute will be considered your J-1 program host.

You will need to confirm the details of your proposed visit, such as duration and dates, academic activity, and source of funding, with your host department.  OISS highly recommends that you begin this process three to six months prior to the start date of your proposed visit.

To apply for a J-1 visa, you will need a "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status", also known as the “DS-2019 form”.

In order for OISS to issue you a DS-2019, the following steps must take place

STEP ONE (Host Department):

  • A personnel administrator of your UCSB host department will provide you access to UCSBGlobal through which you will submit your information.
  • Please keep DS-2019 request deadlines in mind. 

STEP TWO (Visitor):

  • You will need to log in to UCSBGlobal and complete the Scholar Information (Initial) Forms.  You will also be able to upload all required documents to this website.

STEP THREE (OISS):

  • OISS will review and submit your information to the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which will create your SEVIS record and issue the DS-2019 form(s) for you and any eligible J-2 Dependent family members.

STEP FOUR (Host Department):

  • Your DS-2019 will be transmitted to you electronically upon the completion of OISS review