Pre-Arrival
After receiving your DS-2019, please carefully review the document. Contact ISSS at ischolar@ucsc.edu if there are any errors. We will correct the error(s) and issue the amended DS-2019 for you. Please note that in case of a minor error, you may enter the U.S. with the initial DS-2019 and are able to receive the amended DS-2019 after arrival to UCSC.
SEVIS I-901 Fee
Visit the U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website to learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee. You must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee prior to your visa interview appointment.
Applying for a J-1 Visa
As a prospective scholar, follow the steps below to apply for a J visa:
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee
- Review the visa application instructions of the specific U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you will apply for the visa
- Complete the DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
- Pay any visa related fees
- Schedule a visa interview appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
Visa wait times for interview appointments and visa processing time information for each U.S. Embassy or Consulate worldwide is available on the Visa Wait Times website, and on most embassy websites.
Please visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information on applying for a visa.
Canadian citizens do not need to apply for a J visa. Canadians will need to present their SEVIS I-901 Fee payment receipt, valid passport, DS-2019, and UCSC appointment letter to a CBP official at the port of entry to request permission to enter the U.S. in J-1 status.
Mandatory J-1 Scholar Orientation
You must complete the mandatory check-in and orientation process prior to attending orientation. You will receive an email reminder with orientation information close to your expected arrival date. After you complete the mandatory check-in and orientation process, a scholar advisor will validate your SEVIS record. This step is necessary before you apply for a Social Security number (SSN) at a Social Security Administration Office or for a California driver’s license at a local DMV office.
See Also
J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program
