J-1 Exchange Visitors at UCB

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created in 1961 as part of the Fulbright-Hayes Act, a public law written to "increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges." The U.S. Department of State has authority over the J-1 program. Currently, there are about 15 different categories of J-1 visitors. Each J-1 category is governed by different rules and requirements. The purpose and length of the scholar's visit at UC Berkeley will determine the appropriate category (See also J-1 Categories at UCB).

J-1 Program Information
In the links below, you will find important information about the J-1 program at UC Berkeley:

For Scholars	For UCB Departments
Prospective Scholars	Information and Instructions:
Applying for a Visa	Resources for Administrators New to Inviting J Scholars
SEVIS Fees	J-1 Categories at UCB
Entering the U.S.- What to Expect	J-1 Tutorial for Department Administrators (PowerPoint)
Arrival Notification Requirements	J-1 Process Overview (MS Word)
Visiting Scholar and Postdoc Affairs	DS-2019 Request Instructions
Important Things to Do Upon Arrival	Expedite Instructions
Scholar Information Meetings (SIMs)	Extension of DS-2019 Instructions
Inviting Family to Join or Visit You	Required Funding Documentation
Family Matters	J-1 Services Recharge Fee Table
Maintaining Legal Status in the U.S.	J-1 Student Intern Instructions
Address Notification Requirement
24-month Bar On Repeat Visits	Forms:
2-year Home Country Physical Presence Requirement	DS-2019 Request Form (MS Word)
Health Insurance Requirements	Initial J-1 Services IOF (Excel)
Travel and Re-entry to the U.S.	Expedite Request Form (MS Word)
Travel to Canada or Mexico	Expedite IOF (effective 1/2/09)
Employment/Payment Authorization	Extension IOF (effective 1/2/09)
J-2 Dependents' Employment	J Scholar Status Report Form (MS Word)
Taxes in the U.S.	Guarantee of Financial Support Form (MS Word)
Extending J-1 in the U.S.
Transferring Your Program
Changing Your Immigration Status
Return Visits as a Scholar