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 and resources visit the 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)
    • 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 

• 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

• 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 UC San Diego

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 standard processing time is approximately 15 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, we cannot issue the DS-2019 until the SEVIS release/start date. This may fall out of the 15-day business window depending on the transfer date.

International travel is NOT recommended when transferring in between positions.

Transfer Out from UC San Diego

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 15 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 our office, who will then issue an official Form DS-7002 along with the DS-2019.

When it is ready for signature, the Form DS-7002 T/IPP must be signed by the scholar's PI/Supervisor via DOCUSIGN. 

1. Go to docusign.ucsd.edu and login using your UCSD SSO credentials (active directory or business directory).
2. Follow the instructions to complete signing the document.
3. Click "Finish" when done signing.

Once the document has been signed by the supervisor it will be routed to the IFSO advisor for completion and will then be e-mailed to the student intern along with the DS-2019. All pages of the forms DS-7002 and DS-2019 must be printed and signed in ink by the student intern. This signed forms will be required by the US Consulate to issue the J-1 visa.

For processing instructions see the Supplemental Student Intern ISD instructions.

Scholar 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 15 business days of a complete submission request, we will issue the Form DS-2019 and email it to the scholar and department contact.