Office of International Education

Application Process

J-1 scholars will have their initial contact with a teaching or research faculty in a CMU department. First, the visitor will clarify details of the visit including length of stay, funding arrangements, etc., with the department. The department will then gather certain required information from the scholar and give relevant information to the Office of International Education (OIE). In turn, the OIE will forward the DS-2019 document to the scholar so that the scholar may obtain J-1 status.

The DS-2019 form acknowledges that the University has invited the scholar to visit the institution, has authorized your visit, and supports your application for J-1 status. The DS-2019 is not a "visa", and a scholar cannot enter the U.S. with the DS-2019 alone; to enter the U.S., the DS-2019 works in partnership with the J-1 visa stamp in the passport.

Obtaining J status from outside the US.

After receiving the required DS-2019 document from the University, the scholar will present the DS-2019, along with other required information to a United States Embassy or Consulate to apply for the J-1 entry visa. For specific information on applying for the U.S. visa at the consulate nearest to you, visit the U.S. Department of State website at http://travel.state.gov/visa_services.html.

Dependents (spouse and/or children only) who will accompany the scholar to the U.S. will need to apply for J-2 visas. Children who are J-2 dependents must be legal dependents, under the age of 21, and unmarried. When applying for the J-2 visa(s), take the family's passports with to the U.S. Consulate and show proof of marriage and parenthood of each child.

Note: Scholars must enter the U.S. with the DS-2019 from Carnegie Mellon University in order to work at the University. J scholars must enter the US within 30 days before or after the start date on the DS-2019. Even when the timing is tight, scholars may not enter the U.S. on a B visitor visa, unless it has been arranged with CMU in advance for a visit of fewer than 9 days. Entry by any other means than use of the Carnegie Mellon DS-2019 may result in loss of employment eligibility as well as other difficulties with immigration authorities. Scholars who change plans before the arrival date or decide not to come to Carnegie Mellon University should immediately notify the Office of International Education and return the DS-2019.

Obtaining J-1 status from within the US.

Researchers and professors who are in the U.S. in J-1 status under the sponsorship of another Exchange Visitor program may transfer sponsorship to Carnegie Mellon either by leaving the country and reentering or by transferring. There are limitations to transfer; scholars may only transfer (1) within the same category, (2) if the objective remains the same, and (3) if the total time in J status is less than or equal to three years.

Professors or researchers currently in another non-immigrant or visa status should contact an OIE Foreign Scholar Advisor to options for changing status and correct procedures.

  • Transferring programs without leaving the country

    Most scholars transfer to a new program without leaving the U.S. The current institution and CMU will be involved in the transfer process. After finalizing arrangements with the CMU advisor, a scholar will need to notify the current institution including the Foreign Scholar Advisor in the international office. CMU will generate a new DS-2019 form and help with the transfer process. Only after completing the formal transfer of DS-2019 sponsorship may a visiting researcher or professor begin work at CMU. Keep the old IAP-66 or DS-2019 forms and current DS-2019 together, especially when travelling outside of the U.S. Contact the Foreign Scholar Advisor in OIE with any questions or concerns.

  • Leaving and reentering

    Scholars who plan to travel outside of the U.S. around the time of transfer may contact a Foreign Scholar Advisor in OIE. There are limitations on reentering the U.S. after recent J status in the U.S.

Last Updated On: September 5th, 2006