We are excited that you have chosen CSULA as the host University during your stay in the U.S.

In order for us to process your request for the DS-2019, you must first seek a sponsoring CSULA professor. This sponsoring professor does not necessarily mean financial support. “Sponsoring”, for the purposes of this request, is someone who will work with and mentor you during your stay in the U.S. The extent of the relationship between you and the professor depends on each individual.

Once you and a CSULA professor have come to an agreement regarding your activities and length of stay at CSULA, you or the CSULA professor can complete the DS-2019 Request and submit the required documents to the professor for signatures. Upon receipt of the request and supporting paperwork, International Office will issue the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status.

To search for CSULA professors by their area of expertise, please go to the “Guide to Experts at Cal State L.A.”:

	By area of expertise: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/mguide/
	By departments: http://www.calstatela.edu/univ/ppa/mguide/depts.php

If you cannot find an area of your particular interest, please send an email to the Director of the International Office with a description of your proposed research and resume. She will assist in locating a CSULA professor with the same or similar interest. Please note that there might not be a professor available with the exact research interest as you. You will need to be flexible in working with professors who have similar interests.

The documents for the application package must include:

✓	Request Form for DS-2019;
✓	Copy of passport biographical page (include dependents, if any);
✓	Resume;
✓	Copy of diploma or Certification of Enrollment if still a student (provide English translation if documents are in another language);
✓	Proof of financial support for the period of stay; and
✓	Letter describing your proposed activities at CSULA.

Upon issuing the DS-2019, a Welcome Package will be send to you. This Welcome Package will include:

• Form DS-2019;
• Welcome Letter from International Office;
• Department of State Brochure; and
• Health Insurance brochures and applications.

In order to issue the DS-2019, the exchange visitor or sponsoring department must show proof of financial support during the exchange visitor’s entire stay at CSULA as stated on the DS-2019.

All financial support submitted must be an original. If you are receiving a scholarship, the scholarship letter must identify you by recipient, including the amount and period awarded. For personal funds, a letter from the banking institution must identify you as the account holder and the minimum amount in the account.

Please review the Instructions for DS-2019 Request for the most updated amount.

SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) is a federal government database that maintains and tracks information on F-1 and J-1 visa students and scholars.

Upon receipt of the DS-2019, you must visit the website https://www.fmjfee.com/index.jhtml to pay the SEVIS fee prior to submitting your visa application to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. All financial support submitted must be an original.

This fee is paid to the U.S. government to support the Student and Exchange Visitor Program. It is in addition to the visa application fee paid to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

You should schedule an interview with the U.S. Department of State as soon as possible to ensure you have an appointment with sufficient time to process your visa application. For information about visa process, please visit www.travel.state.gov.

You should review page 2 of the DS-2019, following the instructions at the top of that page, and present the form and proof of payment for the SEVIS fee to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for your J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. The Consular Officer will return the DS-2019 to you.

If there is a delay with your visa application and you cannot enter the U.S. within 25 days of the program start date on the DS-2019 (#3), you MUST notify our office as the starting date of your program must be deferred and a new DS-2019 may be needed.

All J-1 Exchange Visitors and J-2 dependents are required by the U.S. Department of State to have valid medical insurance during their program in the U.S. Failure to have such coverage is cause for terminating your J-1 program.

The benefit requirements are as follows:

• Be issued by a US-owned company that is headquartered and operating in the United States;
• Deductible does not exceed $100 per illness or injury;
• Medical benefit is at least $100,000 per condition and the co-payment does not exceed 25%;
• Includes a benefit of $10,000 for medical evacuation and $7,500 for repatriation;
• Not require more than a six-month treatment-free period prior to coverage and must not require more than a six-month waiting period.

You may receive more information about the health insurance requirements at the U.S. Department of State: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/.

CSULA has contracted with two insurance companies to provide policies for CSULA participants in the J visa category. Enrollment forms and policy brochures are provided in the exchange visitor’s Welcome Packet. They will also be available during the initial interview with the J-1 Scholar Advisor.

It is your responsibility to purchase the required insurance coverage for yourself and your dependents.

Unfortunately, CSULA does not have established housing available for Scholars. We do have on-campus housing for enrolled students. You can submit an application to request a room. Please be aware that placement is made only as space is available, and you may be roomed with a University student. For more information, you may contact the University Housing Services.

For off-campus housing options, Please check our Housing Resources.

As a newly admitted CSULA J-1 Exchange Visitor, your arrival must be updated in SEVIS. This process is called “validation” and must be completed within 30 days of your arrival into the U.S. In order to do this, you are required to check-in with the International Office upon arrival to CSULA. Failure to validate your arrival will result in automatic termination of your J-1 status in SEVIS.

You are required to bring the following original documents (include dependents, if any):

• CSULA DS-2019;
• I-94 card; and
• Passport.

J-1 scholars and non-degree students must schedule an appointment to see the J-1 Scholar Advisor (323-343-3170).