Pre-Arrival, Orientation, & Check-in for J-1 Scholars
On behalf of the International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) unit within the Office of International Affairs (OIA), we welcome you to our community. You will be joining nearly 1,700 international students and scholars from almost 100 countries. We are confident that your time here will be both rewarding and supportive of your personal and professional goals.
To ensure a successful start at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus, we have provided detailed information on the next steps as you prepare to depart for the U.S. and upon arrival. The Exchange Visitor Program aims to promote international educational and cultural exchange to develop mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries. This university's Exchange Visitor Program provides opportunities for study and research, among other activities.
Please note that many participants in the J-1 Program are required to return home for a minimum of two years upon completion of their program. This provision is intended to allow the home country to benefit from the Exchange Visitor's experience in the United States and is specified on the DS-2019 form. If you have questions about this requirement and whether it applies to you, please consult the Consular Officer when you apply for your visa.
We have provided information on various topics such as the visa application process, arrival at the U.S. port of entry, housing, health insurance, and transportation to help you prepare for your journey. Please review these steps to avoid any delays upon arrival at the University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus.
We look forward to welcoming you to our community.
SEVIS Fee
As a new J-1 Exchange Visitor, you are required to pay a SEVIS fee of USD $220 before you can obtain your J-1 visa. This fee is not charged if you are transferring from one program to another unless you are moving from a government J program to a non-government J program. Your accompanying family members entering as J-2 dependents do not need to pay this fee. You must pay the SEVIS fee with Form I-901 and keep the receipt notice that will be issued to you upon payment.
To pay the SEVIS fee and access Form I-901, please visit the I-901 Fee Processing Website. You will need the University of Colorado Denver’s Exchange Visitor Program Number, which is P-1-03858, and your SEVIS ID number, found at the top right corner of your form DS-2019, starting with "N" followed by 10 numbers. It is important to pay the SEVIS fee well in advance to allow consular verification of payment before your J-1 visa can be issued. If you paid the fee online using a credit card, you can print a receipt as proof of payment. Remember to bring your receipt notice, Form DS-2019, and passport with you to your visa appointment.
Form DS-2019
As a visa holder based on the Form DS-2019, you are obligated to comply with the terms and conditions outlined on the form. Your admission to the United States is solely for the purpose of participating in the program listed in Item 4 on the form. We urge you to carefully read the entire certificate to ensure that you understand all of the conditions. Please pay close attention to page 2, specifically items 1(a) and 1(c). Item 1(a) explains the two-year home country residence requirement, which applies to some exchange visitors. Item 1(c) states the time limitations placed on different categories of exchange visitors. These time limitations are strictly enforced.
If you have any questions about these or other matters, please discuss them with the consular officer when you apply for your visa. After your visa is issued, the consular officer will return the original DS-2019 form to you. Please present it again to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer at your port of entry to the United States, who will return the original form to you. Keep form DS-2019 with your passport and keep all copies of form DS-2019 permanently.
General Visa Information
Please note that the required forms and documents for your visa appointment may vary depending on the consulate where you apply for your visa. We recommend that you visit the U.S. Department of State's website and search for the website of the U.S. Consulate where you plan to apply for your visa. There you will find additional information on specific requirements of that consulate. You will also need to schedule a visa interview appointment, following the instructions provided on that website.
In general, you should be prepared to present the following items to the consular official:
Items Generally Required for J-1 Visa applicant
- Passport, valid for travel to the U.S. with a validity date at least 6 months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the U.S.
- Form DS-2019 from CU Denver
- Letter of Invitation
- Proof of financial support, if from a source other than CU Denver
- Proof of proficiency in the English language
- Form DS-160, “Nonimmigrant Electronic Visa Application,” which must be completed on-line
- Two photos, 37x37mm (1 and ½ inches square) for each applicant showing full face, without head covering, with a neutral (non-smiling) expression, against a light background
- Machine Readable Visa (MRV) surcharge fee (currently $160 for J visas)
- Check to see if Visa reciprocity fee is applicable.
- Proof of payment of the SEVIS Fee, if applicable. (I-901 Fee)
Items Generally Required for J-1 Student Intern Visa applicant
- Passport, valid for travel to the U.S. with a validity date at least 6 months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the U.S.
- Form DS-2019 from CU Denver
- Form DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan
- Proof of financial support, if from a source other than CU Denver
- Proof of proficiency in the English language
- Form DS-160, “Nonimmigrant Electronic Visa Application,” which must be completed on-line
- Two photos, 37x37mm (1 and ½ inches square) for each applicant showing full face, without head covering, with a neutral (non-smiling) expression, against a light background
- Machine Readable Visa (MRV) surcharge fee (currently $160 for J visas)
- Visa reciprocity fee, if applicable (refer to your country of citizenship at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/fees/reciprocity-whats-new-2019.html)
- Proof of payment of the SEVIS Fee. For additional information, please refer to https://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/faq
Canadian Citizens are not required to obtain a J-1 Visa in Passport
When you enter the U.S. for the first time in J-1 status, please be prepared to present the following items to the border official:
- Passport, valid for travel to the U.S. with a validity date at least 6 months beyond the applicant’s intended period of stay in the U.S.
- Form DS-2019 from CU Denver
- Letter of Invitation
- Proof of financial support, if from a source other than CU Denver
- Proof of payment of the SEVIS Fee, if applicable. (I-901 Fee)
Additional Items for Dependents Requesting J-2 Status
If applying at the same time as the J-1:
- Valid passport for each family member requesting J-2 status
- Form DS-2019 from CU Denver
- Proof of familial relationship, i.e. marriage certificate and/or birth certificate(s) translated into English
- Form DS-160, “Nonimmigrant Electronic Visa Application,” which must be completed on-line.
- Two photos, 37x37mm (1 and ½ inches square) for each applicant showing full face, without head covering, with a neutral (non-smiling) expression, against a light background
- Machine Readable Visa (MRV) surcharge fee (currently $140)
- Check to see if Visa reciprocity fee is applicable.
If applying separately from J-1:
- All of the items listed above.
- Copy of principal applicant’s letter of invitation (CU Denver letter to spouse or parent)
- Copy of proof of principal applicant’s financial support, if from a source other than CU Denver.
- Copy of principal applicant’s visa and I-94.
Canadian Citizens Items for Dependents Requesting J-2 Status
If applying at the same time as the J-1:
- Valid passport for each family member requesting J-2 status
- Form DS-2019 from CU Denver
- Proof of familial relationship, i.e. marriage certificate and/or birth certificate(s) translated into English
If applying separately from J-1:
- All of the items listed above.
- Copy of principal applicant’s letter of invitation (CU Denver letter to spouse or parent).
- Copy of proof of principal applicant’s financial support, if from a source other than CU Denver.
All J-1 scholars: Potential Issues & Check-In Appointment
Delayed Arrival: Please inform your department administrator and International Student Scholar Services, if you will arrive later than expected. The International Services Specialists may need to amend your program start date. Please note: Your Form DS-2019 will be canceled by SEVIS after 30 days from the start date listed on the form unless we amend the date.
Not Coming At All: Please notify your department administrator and International Student and Scholar Services immediately so we can cancel your paperwork.
Arrival in Denver:
Upon arrival, you must do the following:
Online Check-in: Complete the online Check-in Form. This allows ISSS to report your arrival and validate your SEVIS record. You'll need the following for yourself and any J-2 dependents: DS-2019 (signed by Consular Officer), I-94 Arrival Record, J-1/J-2 entry visa, and information about your required health insurance.
Check-in & Insurance Verification Form
Orientation: Register for a mandatory J-1 Scholar/Intern Orientation. The orientation provides you with important information about J-1/J-2 immigration status and getting settled in the U.S.