2299 Piedmont Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94720-2321
http://InternationalOffice.berkeley.edu
Inviting J-1 Exchange Visitors:
Process Overview
Approximately 2-4 months total time from extending an invitation to an international scholar to their arrival at UC Berkeley.
Steps to Complete
Step 1
Initiate
Document
Request
Tasks to be Completed
Estimated Time
to Complete
DEPARTMENT:
2-6 weeks


Gathers supporting documents, information, UC Berkeley campus approvals/signatures,
and completes the DS-2019 request form.
Submits to the Berkeley International Office:
o
Completed DS-2019 request form
o
Payment of applicable fees
o
Required attachments for scholar and all dependents (See checklist on DS2019 request form)
to submit request
to Berkeley
International Office
Step 2
10 business
days
BERKELEY INTERNATIONAL OFFICE:
Process
Documents



Reviews and analyzes DS-2019 request packet. Contacts department if the request is
incomplete or there are questions
Analyzes and enters scholar’s data into SEVIS database
Contacts the department when the DS-2019 document and attachments are ready.
from the receipt of
a complete
request
Step 3
INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR:
Schedule Visa
Appointment



2-4 weeks
Receives the DS-2019
Pays SEVIS fee online at least 3 days before visa appointment at www.fmjfee.com
If outside the U.S., schedules a visa appointment (except Canadian citizens) with U.S.
embassy or consulate at: http://usembassy.state.gov/
depending on the
season and how
busy the
consulates are
Step 4
U.S. EMBASSY/CONSULATE:
Process
Visa



1-12 weeks
varies with
consular posts
and time required
to clear security
Reviews visa application
Conducts background security check
Issues visa stamp in passport
Step 5
INTERNATIONAL SCHOLAR:
International
Scholar Arrives
in the US



Receives Form I-94 at port of entry and presents passport and Form DS-2019 to the
Department of Homeland Security official
Checks in with host department immediately upon arrival
Attends a Scholar Information Meeting (SIM) sponsored by Berkeley International Office
within 2 weeks of arrival date
Total Estimated Time (subject to change)
Scholar may arrive
up to 30 days
before start date
or fourteen days
after start date
listed on the Form
DS-2019
2- 4 months
Step 6
DEPARTMENT:

Validate
Legal
Status


Informs Berkeley International Office of scholar’s U.S. address and arrival information by
completing the Departmental Scholar Status Report Form
Enters scholar’s data into HRMS
Collects documentation of scholar’s health insurance or directs the scholar to the health
insurance meeting at the Tang Center.
BERKELEY INTERNATIONAL OFFICE:


Updates scholars arrival information and residential address in SEVIS
Validates the J program/notifies U.S. Dept of Homeland Security through SEVIS
Immediately
upon scholar's
arrival to
Berkeley.
This step is critical
for confirming the
scholar’s legal
status in the U.S.
D:\533550547.doc