The DS-2019 form sits at the centre of the United States Exchange Visitor (J) framework. Officially titled the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status,” it is generated in SEVIS by a Department of State–designated sponsor and enables an applicant to pursue a J-1 visa at a US embassy or consulate. Without a DS-2019, an applicant cannot apply for or obtain a J-1 visa and therefore cannot lawfully enter the United States in J status. The form also remains relevant throughout the participant’s stay for status maintenance, changes, and dependants.
What this article is about: This article explains the legal role of the DS-2019 in the J-1 system. It covers the form’s basis in statute and regulation, sponsor and applicant responsibilities, issuance and process steps, and ongoing compliance. It also addresses dependants, transfers between sponsors, and how the DS-2019 interacts with the two-year home residency rule. The guidance is intended for employers, universities, research bodies, cultural organisations, and individual applicants.
Section A: What is the DS-2019 Form?
The DS-2019 is the eligibility certificate that evidences a foreign national’s selection for a structured exchange programme under a designated US sponsor. It is not a stand-alone grant of status; rather, it is the documentary basis for applying for a J-1 visa and, once admitted, for proving and maintaining J-1 status. Issuance is governed by the Department of State under the Fulbright-Hays Act and the Exchange Visitor regulations in 22 CFR Part 62.
1. Legal definition and purpose
Form DS-2019, the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, flows from the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 and implementing rules at 22 CFR Part 62. It records the programme category, dates, funding, and sponsor identifiers in SEVIS. In law and practice, it serves as evidence that the applicant has a qualifying programme and sponsor and is therefore eligible to seek a J-1 visa. Consular officers rely on the DS-2019 when adjudicating the visa, and the document is later used to show status and programme compliance in the United States.
2. Role in the J-1 visa application
After a sponsor issues a DS-2019, the applicant typically uses it to: (i) pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (subject to category-specific exemptions); (ii) complete the DS-160 visa application; and (iii) attend the visa interview with supporting evidence. At US entry, Customs and Border Protection will review the traveller’s DS-2019 and related records. The same form is referenced for extensions, transfers, and dependant documentation during the programme.
- SEVIS I-901 fee: payable by most J-1 categories; some, such as au pairs, camp counsellors, and certain government-funded programmes, are exempt.
- DS-160: online non-immigrant visa application.
- Consular interview: DS-2019 presented with supporting evidence.
3. Issuing authorities
Only entities that the Department of State has designated as exchange visitor sponsors may issue DS-2019s. Designated sponsors include universities and colleges, research institutions, government agencies, cultural exchange organisations, and some private-sector entities that have been formally approved as sponsors. Sponsors generate DS-2019s through SEVIS and assume significant duties for screening, monitoring, and reporting.
Note on physicians: J-1 physicians generally participate under tightly defined graduate medical education provisions with ECFMG sponsorship; availability is restricted and category-specific.
Section A Summary
The DS-2019 is the legally recognised certificate of eligibility for J-1 programmes. It is issued only by designated sponsors via SEVIS and is required for visa application, admission, and ongoing proof of status.
Section B: Eligibility and Sponsorship Requirements
A DS-2019 may be issued only where sponsor and applicant criteria are met. The form evidences that screening has occurred and that the sponsor accepts responsibility under the Exchange Visitor regulations.
1. Sponsor obligations
Before issuing a DS-2019, sponsors must comply with 22 CFR Part 62, including robust screening, accurate SEVIS record-keeping, and participant support. Key duties include:
- Screening participants against the criteria for the selected exchange category.
- Providing clear programme details: objectives, supervision, and funding.
- Maintaining and updating SEVIS records, including early completion, withdrawal, or termination.
- Verifying adequate financial resources for the duration of the programme.
- Providing orientation, support services, and emergency assistance access.
Non-compliance can lead to corrective action, suspension, or revocation of designation.
2. Applicant eligibility criteria
Applicants must satisfy programme and category requirements and demonstrate financial, insurance, and (where relevant) language readiness. Sponsors will not issue the DS-2019 until these are met, and consular officers reassess them at interview. Minimum health insurance standards are set by 22 CFR 62.14:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness.
- Repatriation of remains coverage of $25,000.
- Medical evacuation coverage of $50,000.
- Maximum deductible of $500 per accident or illness.
Applicants typically must also show intent to depart the US after programme completion, consistent with the non-immigrant nature of the J-1 route.
3. Programme categories covered
The J-1 is an umbrella classification. Each DS-2019 specifies the category that governs permitted activity and maximum duration. Common categories include: college/university student, short-term scholar, professor, research scholar, trainee, intern, teacher, specialist, physician (subject to the restrictions noted above), au pair, camp counsellor, and government or international visitor.
Section B Summary
Issuance is a two-way threshold: sponsors must meet regulatory duties and accept oversight; applicants must meet funding, insurance, suitability, and category criteria. The chosen category on the DS-2019 determines lawful activity and stay parameters.
Section C: Application Process for DS-2019
Applicants cannot self-generate a DS-2019. Designated sponsors create it in SEVIS after screening and collecting evidence. The process relies on complete and accurate inputs from both sponsor and applicant.
1. How sponsors issue the form
Once accepted, the sponsor enters the participant’s data into SEVIS, which assigns a unique SEVIS ID and produces the DS-2019. Sponsors may transmit the DS-2019 electronically. A “wet-ink” original is no longer required; in practice, applicants should print the electronic DS-2019 for the interview, following post-specific instructions. Issuance is a significant regulatory act and triggers ongoing monitoring duties.
By issuing a DS-2019, the sponsor confirms acceptance to a specific category, verification of adequate funding, awareness of health insurance obligations under 22 CFR 62.14, and accurate programme dates recorded in SEVIS.
2. Information required from applicants
Sponsors normally require:
- Biographical and passport details.
- Proof of financial support (e.g., bank statements, scholarships, employer funding).
- Academic/professional credentials and, where required, English proficiency.
- Evidence of compliant health insurance or commitment to obtain it.
Information must be truthful and complete. Misrepresentation can lead to withdrawal of the DS-2019 and visa refusal.
3. Common processing timelines
Timeframes vary by sponsor and programme complexity. A typical range from acceptance to issuance is approximately 2–6 weeks, with electronic delivery enabling immediate receipt once issued. Visa appointment availability then drives the interview date.
Section C Summary
Sponsors issue DS-2019s through SEVIS after verifying eligibility, funding, and insurance. Electronic transmission is permitted and widely used. Applicants must provide accurate documentation; scheduling the visa interview generally requires the DS-2019 and SEVIS ID in hand.
Section D: Compliance and Legal Considerations
The DS-2019 retains legal importance throughout the exchange. Sponsors and participants must meet regulatory and reporting duties to preserve designation and status.
1. SEVIS and record-keeping duties
Sponsors must keep SEVIS records current, including programme start/end, extensions, transfers, address or funding changes, and early completion/termination. Failure to maintain accurate records can jeopardise sponsor designation and participant status. Participants must promptly report changes to the sponsor.
2. Visa interview and consular review
A DS-2019 does not guarantee visa issuance. Consular officers review eligibility, funding, non-immigrant intent, and insurance arrangements alongside the DS-160 and SEVIS fee receipt. Discretionary refusal is possible even where a DS-2019 has been correctly issued.
3. Maintaining J status with a DS-2019
After admission, participants must observe the programme dates and authorised activities on the DS-2019, maintain required insurance, and ensure timely SEVIS updates through the sponsor. Extensions or transfers require a new DS-2019. The form is also relevant to the two-year home residency requirement under INA §212(e); if the principal is subject, J-2 family members are likewise subject unless a waiver is granted. Each J-2 dependant must hold an individual DS-2019 and may study; J-2s may apply for employment authorisation (EAD) while maintaining valid status.
Section D Summary
Compliance is continuous. Sponsors must maintain accurate SEVIS records; participants must follow programme rules, keep insurance in place, and coordinate changes through the sponsor. The DS-2019 influences 212(e) determinations and underpins dependant eligibility.
FAQs
What is the DS-2019 used for?
It is the official Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. It enables payment of the SEVIS fee, visa application and interview, admission to the US in J status, and subsequent actions such as extensions, transfers, and dependant documentation.
Who can issue a DS-2019?
Only Department of State–designated sponsors, such as universities, research bodies, government agencies, cultural organisations, and some approved private-sector sponsors.
How long does issuance take?
Processing varies by sponsor and programme; 2–6 weeks is a common range from acceptance to issuance, with electronic delivery available once issued.
Do all applicants pay the SEVIS I-901 fee?
Most do. Certain categories (e.g., au pairs, camp counsellors, and some government-funded programmes) are exempt. Confirm with the sponsor and current Department of State guidance.
Can I change sponsors after a DS-2019 is issued?
Transfers are permitted if programme rules and timelines are met. The new sponsor must accept the transfer and issue a new DS-2019 via SEVIS.
Do J-2 dependants need their own DS-2019?
Yes. Each J-2 (spouse or qualifying child) must hold a separate DS-2019 linked to the principal’s SEVIS record.
Can J-2s work or study?
J-2s may study and can seek an EAD to work, provided they maintain valid status.
Is a paper original still required?
No “wet-ink” original is required. Sponsors may transmit DS-2019s electronically; applicants should print the electronic form for use at the visa interview, following post-specific instructions.
Conclusion
The DS-2019 is the essential document anchoring the J-1 route. It evidences eligibility and sponsorship for visa issuance, supports admission to the US, and remains integral to status maintenance, transfers, extensions, and dependant management. Designated sponsors shoulder rigorous oversight duties, while applicants must meet category, funding, and insurance requirements and observe programme limits. Properly issued and maintained, the DS-2019 underpins a compliant exchange experience and informs whether INA §212(e) applies to the participant and their family members.
Glossary
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| DS-2019 | Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, generated in SEVIS by a designated sponsor |
| SEVIS | Student and Exchange Visitor Information System; central database for exchange visitor records |
| J-1 Visa | Non-immigrant category for approved exchange programmes under Department of State oversight |
| Sponsor | Department of State–designated organisation authorised to issue DS-2019 and monitor compliance |
| INA §212(e) | Two-year home residency requirement that may apply to certain J-1s and their J-2 dependants |
| EAD | Employment Authorization Document; J-2 dependants may apply to work in the US |
Useful Links
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| Exchange Visitor Program (BridgeUSA) – US Department of State | Visit page |
| J-1 Visa Information – Travel.State.Gov | Visit page |
| SEVIS I-901 Fee Payment – ICE | Visit page |
| SEVIS Overview – ICE | Visit page |
| Exchange Visitor Regulations – 22 CFR Part 62 (eCFR) | Visit page |
| ECFMG – J-1 Physicians | Visit page |
| DS-2019 Guidance – NNU Immigration | Visit page |
Author
Founder and Managing Director Anne Morris is a fully qualified solicitor and trusted adviser to large corporates through to SMEs, providing strategic immigration and global mobility advice to support employers with UK operations to meet their workforce needs through corporate immigration.
She is recognised by Legal 500 and Chambers as a legal expert and delivers Board-level advice on business migration and compliance risk management as well as overseeing the firm’s development of new client propositions and delivery of cost and time efficient processing of applications.
Anne is an active public speaker, immigration commentator, and immigration policy contributor and regularly hosts training sessions for employers and HR professionals.
