Instructions for Visiting Scholar
The following steps are intended to be used as a checklist, broken down into paperwork that needs to be completed by the visiting scholar.
- DS-2019 Information Form
- Obtaining a DS-2019
- SEVIS fees
- Make an appointment at a U.S. Consulate
- Checklist of what to take with to the visa interview
- Health Insurance
DS-2019 Information Form
All J-1 Visa applicants should complete the DS-2019 Information Form. Your answers will provide Wright State University with the information required to issue a Form DS-2019 for your use in applying for a J-1 Visa.
Scan and mail your completed "DS-2019 Information Form" along with other supporting documents to Steven Lyons at steven.lyons@wright.edu
Obtaining a DS-2019
All scholars requesting J-1 status will be issued a DS-2019. The DS-2019 is a document that details their course of study and verifies that they have a documented eligibility to obtain J-1 status. The DS-2019 is used to apply for the J-1 visa at the U.S. consulate and must be received prior to applying for the visa.
Scholars on a J-1 visa and faculty, must complete an "Initial Request for a DS-2019" from UCIE (in the past form was called an IAP-66). This form has many specific questions on it pertaining to the scholar's personal bio data. The faculty sponsor may need to email (or FAX) the prospective scholar specific questions in order to fill out this form.
Scholars planning on traveling with their dependents (husband, wife, or children under the age of 21) to the U.S., will need to apply for, and receive separate "dependent" DS-2019 needed for applying for their J-2 visas and entering the U.S. in J-2 status. If the family names is differs to that of dependents, documentation will be required to confirm the relationship.
To fill out the request, the faculty member will need to know the following for themselves and their dependents:
- Last Name (as spelled in passport) First Name (as spelled in passport)
- Date of Birth
- Country of Birth
- Country of Citizenship Relationship to Primary Applicant
- City of Birth
- Gender
- Nationality
- Country of Legal Permanent Residence
- Position in Country of Residence
- Middle Name, if available
- U.S. Address, if available
Also, UCIE must be able to verify financial arrangements (if sponsored by a program, then a letter of sponsorship; if using personal funds, it is often in form of bank account statement). After completing this form, please submit request to WSU – UCIE Office, Room 334, Student Union.
SEVIS fees
Go to the https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/ and follow the instructions. Scholars will need the DS-2019 available because the SEVIS number is required. Printed copies of the receipt - are required for the visa interview and you must keep a copy for your personal records. Scholars can only access the receipt at the time of payment so be sure the printer is working before paying the fee.
Make an appointment at a U.S. Consulate
To apply for a J-1 entry visa. Scholars will require the DS-2019 form from the Wright State University before the time of their appointment. DO NOT MAKE AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL the DS-2019 has been received or that delivery of DS-2019 has been confirmed before the appointment.
Checklist of what to take with to the visa interview
Have both the originals and a set of photocopies. In addition to the items listed here, Scholars may be required to submit additional documents as listed on their local U.S. Consulate's website.
- A passport valid for at least six months
- Form DS-2019
- A School letter confirming an affiliation with Wright State University. For those with a University appointment, it is a letter from the academic department confirming the dates, title and salary of the appointment. For Visting Scholars/Scientists it is a letter of designation from the UCIE.
- Completed visa applications (DS-156, DS-158, and, if applicable, DS-157) Remember to complete the DS-156 electronically and take a printed copy. Consulates have advised that the electronic version will speed up the process.
- A photograph in the prescribed format : http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/english/general/photos.html
- A receipt for the visa application fee
- A receipt for the SEVIS fee. If scholars have not received an official receipt in the mail showing payment and they have paid the fee electronically, the consulate will accept the temporary receipt printed. If scholars do not have a receipt, the consulate may be able to see their payment electronically if the fee payment was processed at least 3 business days before the interview.
- Financial evidence that shows the scholar has sufficient funds to cover their living expenses during the period of their intend stay.
- Any information that demonstrates the scholars intention to return to their home country after finishing their program in the U.S. This may include proof of property, family, or other ties to their community.
Health Insurance
All visiting scholars are required to have health and accident insurance (for themselves and any accompanying dependents while in the United States) that is in compliance with regulations set forth by the US Department of State. Insurance should be purchased prior to, or as soon as possible after arrival in the U.S. Wright State University employee insurance alone does not meet these requirements. Visiting scholars who wish to use insurance from their home countries must provide verification that their coverage meets Department of State requirements. A scholar who does not have appropriate health insurance coverage is not employable at the university, and his/her program could be subject to termination.
If you did not purchase health insurance prior to departure for the United States you will need to purchase it upon arrival. Without health insurance that meets the requirements of the Department of State you will not be in compliance with your visa requirements and the UCIE will not be able to validate your arrival. The specific requirements for coverage are:
- $100,000 medical benefits per accident or illness.
- $25,000 repatriation of remains.
- $50,000 medical evacuation to home country.
- $500 ceiling on deductible per illness or accident.
Furthermore, the insurance corporation underwriting the insurance policy must meet or exceed the following ratings:
- an A.M. Best rating of 'A-'; OR
- an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of 'A-i'; OR
- a Standard & Poor’s claims-paying ability rating of 'A-'; OR
- a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of 'B+'
Please remember that if you have arrived with a spouse or dependents that you will need to purchase insurance coverage for them as well. If you purchased an insurance policy in your home country that will provide coverage to you in the U.S., please bring an English translation copy of your coverage.
The following is a list of resources that can be utilized to research health insurance coverage options for you and your family.
