J-1 Exchange Visitor

Department contacts must attend a one-time training via UC Learning to obtain access to ISD. For information regarding obtaining access visit IFSO's ISD webpage. 

For ISD instructions and resources visit IFSO's ISD webpage. 

• Scholar documents:
  • Valid passport
  • The valid passport of spouse and/or child(ren), if applicable
  • Documentation establishing English language proficiency, if the interview section of the department request form is not completed
  • Funding Documentation
  • If the scholar is currently in the U.S.:
    • Copy of I-94 for scholar and dependents
    • Copy of recent visa (except Canadians) and entry stamp of scholars and dependents 
    • Copy of ALL previous DS-2019 documents for scholar and dependents, if applicable
  • Department documents:
    • Completed Request Form (PDF)
      • IFSO Recharge Fee
        • Scholar may be asked to pay, however the department must initiate the payment request which will trigger an email to the scholar.
    • Appointment Letter
    • Documentation establishing English language proficiency 
    • 5-Point Statement, If the scholar has an MD or equivalent and incidental patient contact 
    • FedEx Shipping Label

• IFSO Recharge Fee
  • Scholar may be asked to pay, however the department must initiate the payment request which will trigger an email to the scholar.
• Update the ISD fields noted in the Department extension ISD instructions page
• Upload updated proof of funding
• Upload new appointment letter
• Shipping Label

• Evidence will depend on the reason for the amendment typically updated proof of funding and a new appointment letter are necessary.

Department can submit date amendments by updating the relative date fields in ISD. Detailed instructions are included in the Department amendment ISD instructions page under the section "Amendment - Date Change (prior to scholar arrival at UCSD)."

• No recharge fee or request form is required. 
• Allow at least 5 business days for processing. 
• We are unable to backdate the Start Date on a scholar's DS-2019; therefore we kindly ask that you date any new Start Date at least 5 days into the future upon submission
  • If it is an urgent request for a Start Date less than 5 days away, you should contact the advisor processing the request or ifsoisd@ucsd.edu.  

All changes in site of activity, funding amounts or sources, and/or significant changes in job duties, must be reported to the International Faculty & Scholars Office through ISD. 

Detailed instructions are included in the Department amendment ISD instructions page under the section "Amendment After Scholar Arrival to U.S. (Not a Date Amendment)."

Please note: No recharge fee or request form is required. 

Departments can submit J-1 Extensions by updating relevant field information in ISD. Detailed instructions are included in the Department extension ISD instructions page. 

The extension end date cannot exceed the new appointment end date. 

Transfer In to UCSD

For scholars transferring their J-1 from another institution, Departments will need to submit a J-1 initial application.Our office will need the name and contact information of the scholars current International Office Advisor to coordinate the transfer, this can be added in the notes section in ISD. The IFSO standard processing time is approximately 10 business days from the receipt of a completed J-1 Application and 5 business days with RUSH processing.

Please note for J-1 scholars Transferring to UC San Diego, IFSO cannot issue the DS-2019 until the SEVIS release/start date. This may fall out of the 10-day business window depending on the transfer date.

International travel is NOT recommended when transferring in between positions.

Transfer Out from UCSD

Scholars should notify their advisor and department if they would like to transfer to another institution. The immigration advisor at the new institution should contact the scholars immigration advisor in our office to request the transfer of the J-1 record.

The IFSO standard processing time is approximately 10 business days.

In order to facilitate the transfer out to another J-1 program we will need the following Information from the prospective J-1 program sponsor/institution:

• International Scholar Advisor contact name:
• International Scholar Advisor email:
• J-1 SEVIS program number (NOT the SEVIS number) P-X-XXXXX

The following will need to confirmed by your UCSD department administrator or Supervisor:

1. Confirmation the scholar is in good standing with department from (department Admin or PI):
2. Confirmation the scholar has maintained their J-1 status;
3. Last date of employment at UCSD:

Typically, J-2 DS-2019’s are requested with the Initial and Extension Application for the primary scholar. However, there are instances where a J-2 DS-2019 may need to be requested after the J-1 DS-2019 issuance.

Please have the scholar view the Scholar ISD J-2 Request Instructions.

Student Intern category is for or students who have not completed a bachelor's level degree program and are currently enrolled in one in their home country. If your prospective scholar has not completed a bachelor's level degree program and is currently enrolled in one in their home country, you must request the Student Intern category.

• The scholar must be currently enrolled and in good academic standing at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside the U.S.
• The scholar must be fulfilling educational objectives for their current degree program.
• The scholar must plan to return to their home institution as an enrolled student after their J-1 program in the U.S.
• The internship program at UCSD must be at least 32 hours/week and cannot include more than 20% clerical work.

• J-1 Initial Request Form
• Supplemental Student Intern Request Form
• Supplemental Student Intern ISD instructions

This J-1 Student Intern category requires additional documentation. During the ISD submission process for a J-1 Student Intern, the department will be required to complete fields in ISD for a DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan. This information will be submitted to IFSO, who will then issue an official Form DS-7002 along with the DS-2019.

This official Form DS-7002 T/IPP must be signed by the scholar's supervisor as noted on the form before it is mailed to the scholar abroad, who must also sign it. This signed form will be requried by the US Consulate, along with the DS-2019, to issue the J-1 visa.

For processing instructions see the Supplemental Student Intern ISD instructions.

IFSO Advisors will review all the information and documents submitted with this record. If anything is missing from the department or the scholar, we will be in contact with the scholar and/or the departmental administrator. Within ten days of a complete submission request, IFSO will issue the Form DS-2019 and ship it according to the label provided by the department/scholar.

An email notification of shipment with tracking number and SEVIS information will be sent to the scholar and department contact.