A J-1 Exchange Visitor Form DS-2019 is issued to exchange visitors who come to the United States to teach, conduct research, study, or receive training as a participant in an Exchange Visitor Program designated by the Department of State. Officials of the International Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) at the University of Massachusetts Lowell will issue a Form DS-2019 to eligible individuals for the purpose of obtaining a J-1 visa, under the appropriate category, to seek admission to the U.S. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa was established to facilitate educational and cultural exchange. For this reason, it is intended for temporary appointments or exchanges only.
Before initiating the J-1 process for an international exchange visitor, it is strongly recommended that departments contact an ISSO advisor who can describe the process, address any questions or concerns, and assess any risks or timeline issues associated with the planned exchange or visit.
An Important Note on J-1 Incident Reporting
The Department of State requires that Exchange Visitor Program sponsors report serious incidents, problems, or controversy involving J-1 Exchange Visitors to the Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration's Academic and Government (OPA-AG) unit. Reports must be made within 24 hours of an incident's occurrence.
With this in mind, it is expected that both departmental hosts of J-1 visa holders, and the visa holders themselves, are aware of this legal requirement and report such incidents to the ISSO within the required 24-hour timeframe. If you are an ISSO SEVIS Contact or faculty sponsoring a J-1 student, student intern, or J-1 scholar, please familiarize yourself with the Incident Reporting Requirements and report any incidents within the required 24-hour timeframe.