MUSC J-1 Sponsorship Application

After an MUSC department invites you to participate in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the sponsoring MUSC department must submit a new sponsorship request through Terra Dotta, MUSC’s international scholar case processing system. The new J-1 sponsorship request must be submitted at least  three (3) months prior to the target J-1 program start date. However, we generally recommend that requests be submitted six (6) months in advance of the program start date.

Once the request is submitted by the sponsoring MUSC department, you will receive an email with login instructions. You must log in to the system and complete the information on the Exchange Visitor tab and upload required documents on the Documents tab. Be sure to read all instructions provided within the system. Refer to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Applicant Documents List for more details on the required documents. 

All of the documents that you submit must be in English or have an official (certified) English translation. In addition, all funding documents must be certified and must provide amounts in U.S. dollars. If you cannot get a particular document in English, it is your responsibility to obtain a certified translation of that document.

It is very important that you submit all required documents and provide the information in the portal as soon as possible. Any delay in completing these requirements may cause a delay in the start date of your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

In addition, the sponsoring MUSC department will also be required to provide certain documents and information in Terra Dotta for your initial J-1 sponsorship application. The Center for Global Health will not be able to review and process the J-1 sponsorship application until all materials have been submitted by both you (the J-1 applicant) and the sponsoring MUSC department.

The processing time for a complete J-1 sponsorship application is variable and depends on the total caseload volume at the time the complete application is submitted. Once your complete application is received, you will receive a notification with an estimated processing time. The general estimated processing time window is approximately four (4) weeks from receipt of the complete J-1 sponsorship application.

Form DS-2019

If your J-1 sponsorship application is approved, a Responsible Officer in the Center for Global Health will issue Form DS-2019, the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. The Form DS-2019 is a document controlled by the U.S. Department of State that indicates that MUSC is willing to sponsor you in a J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The Form DS-2019 provides biographic details about you (the J-1 applicant) as well as the specific details of the proposed J-1 Exchange Visitor Program at MUSC.

You will be notified as soon as the Form DS-2019 has been issued. If you have requested J-2 status for dependent family members who will accompany you to the US for the entire duration of your program, you will also receive a Form DS-2019 for each J-2 dependent.

The Form DS-2019 will be sent to you via secure email as a PDF attachment. You must then print the Form DS-2019 and physically sign the form in ink in the Exchange Visitor Certification section at the bottom of page one. Although the form can be transmitted to you electronically, the Form DS-2019 is only valid in paper format. In other words, the Form DS-2019 is not valid until you have printed the form on paper and you have signed the form. If you do not have access to a printer in order to print the Form DS-2019, please notify the Center for Global Health as soon as possible, and we can make arrangements to send you a paper Form DS-2019.

You need the Form DS-2019 in order to begin the J-1 visa application process at the U.S. embassy/consulate abroad. However, please be aware that issuance of a Form DS-2019 from MUSC does not guarantee that you will be approved for a J-1 visa or that you will be admitted into the United States. The Form DS-2019 is simply the document that makes you eligible to apply for a J-1 visa.

The Form DS-2019 is a very important document. During the time of your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, you may receive multiple Forms DS-2019, if any of the details on the form change. You are responsible for retaining all original copies of all Forms DS-2019 issued for you indefinitely as part of your U.S. immigration records. Do not discard any previous Forms DS-2019. You may be required to present these documents at a later time to prove that you have maintained valid status in the United States. In addition, be sure that you immediately print all Forms DS-2019 that are sent to you electronically.

SEVIS I-901 Fee

After receiving your Form DS-2019 from MUSC, you must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This is a one-time fee required for all new J-1 exchange visitors. The current SEVIS I-901 fee for J-1 applicants is $220. This fee is set by the U.S. government and is subject to change at any time. 

The SEVIS I-901 fee can be paid online. Visit the ICE I-901 SEVIS Fee Frequently Asked Questions page for answers to frequently asked questions regarding the SEVIS fee. Be sure that you print your SEVIS I-901 payment receipt.

You must bring your I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt with you when you apply for your visa. If you are applying for a change of status to J-1 in the United States, you must have the SEVIS I-901 fee receipt to file with your change of status petition. Canadian applicants (who are exempt from the visa requirements) are still required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

You do not need to pay the SEVIS fee for a dependent child or spouse who will accompany you to the United States. There is no separate SEVIS I-901 fee for J-2 dependents.