J-1 Scholars & Exchange Visitor Information

To begin processing your DS-2019, please follow the steps suggested below:

I. Provide the following supporting documents (completed by the sponsoring department)

1. Invitation letter, completed and signed by your College Dean on department’s letterhead  addressed to the prospective scholar/student from the inviting department, that includes the following: 

1. the description of the program, research, work, teaching or field of study;
2. the description of costs likely to be incurred by the visitor in the U.S. (i.e., Housing, transportation, health insurance, etc.);
3. program start and end dates;
4. If TAMUCC hiring dept./college financially sponsors or pays the visitor, the following information MUST be confirmed in the letter:
   A.The total amount and source of funding;
   B. Name and contact information of the exchange visitor’s supervisor;
   C. Exchange visitor’s employment is directly related to the objectives of the exchange visitor program;
   D. Exchange visitor’s employment is incidental to the primary program activities.

2. Complete and submit the following forms:

1. 1. TAMU-CC Visual Compliance Form
   2. TAMU-CC International Visitor Form
   3. I-29 & J-1 Export Control Form 

3. Proof of English Proficiency (Effective on January 5, 2015, a J-1 applicant MUST submit the “Objective Measurement of English Language Proficiency” according to the New U.S. Federal Rules and Regulations. In order to meet this new requirement, a J-1 applicant MUST submit one of the following proofs of English Language Proficiency:

• A recognized English Language Test (i.e. TOEFL, IELTS, etc.)
• Signed documentation from an Academic Institution or English Language School
• A documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in-person or by video-conference, or by telephone if video-conference is not a viable option.

4. Non-Refundable Processing fee of $545 plus additional $100 for each dependent (Can be paid by either sponsoring department or J-1 scholar/student)                                        

• TIEC will be sending the invoices to the department or scholar via Bill.com. To pay, the hiring department or the scholar can use a credit card, ACH/wire transfer, or check. If you choose to pay via credit card or other electronic payment methods, you will need to click on the link in the email sent from Bill.com. This will prompt you to create a temporary account with your email address, which is a simple step. If you choose to send a check, you must send the check to TAMUCC Office of International Education based on check remittance information provided on the invoice.

  Please note that there's a convenience fee of 2.99% for credit card payments. Additionally, TIEC has a new late fee policy that late payments will be subject to a 1.5% late fee per month after 30 days from the invoice date.

• Make checks and money orders payable to:
  • Texas International Education Consortium.

II. Download and complete the required forms listed below (completed by J-1 Scholars or J-1 Students)

1. J-1 Exchange Visitor Information Sheet
2. Orientation and Emergency Contact Form
3. Health Insurance Statement Form
4. J-1 Arrival Verification Form
5. Most current Resume / CV
6. A copy of applicant’s passport identification page (page of passport with photograph, date of birth, etc.); Also include copies of dependents’ passport identification page, if applicable
7. Proof of Current Funding / Financial Support (i.e., An official letter or financial document from an applicant’s sponsor or a bank. The minimum amount of funding must total $1,800.00 per month for the J-1 student, plus an additional $500.00 per month for each dependent)
8. Proof of Health Insurance (All J-1 and J-2 visa holders must maintain medical, evacuation, and repatriation insurance coverage as indicated below):
   
   • Medical benefits of at least US $100,000.00 per person, per accident or illness;
   • Expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of US $50,000.00;
   • Repatriation of remains in the amount of US $25,000.00;
   • Maximum deductible per accident or illness of US $500.00.

III. If a J-1 scholar or student will transfer to Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, he/she must submit the following documents IN ADDITION to the required documents listed above

1. Copies of ALL Previous & Current DS-2019's (if applicable)
2. Copy of most current I-94 (if currently residing in the U.S.)
3. Copy of most current Visa
4. Include copies of Dependent’s I-20, I-797, I-94, etc. and Visa (if applicable)
5. Complete the J-1 Exchange Visitor Transfer-In Form

IV. If a J-1 scholar or student will transfer from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi to some other university he/she must submit the following documents IN ADDITION to the required documents listed above

1. Copies of ALL Previous & Current DS-2019's (if applicable)
2. Copy of most current I-94 (if currently residing in the U.S.)
3. Copy of most current Visa
4. Include copies of Dependent’s I-20, I-797, I-94, etc. and Visa (if applicable)
5. Complete the J-1 Exchange Visitor Transfer-Out Form

V. If an applicant changes his/her current status to J-1 from another status (such as F-1, F-2, H-4, H-1B, H-1B1, J-2, etc.), he/she must submit the following documents IN ADDITION to the required documents listed above:

1. Copy of most current 1-20, 1-797, or DS-2019, etc.
2. Copy of most current I-94
3. Copy of most current Visa
4. Include copies of Dependent’s I-20, I-797, DS-2019, I-94, etc. and Visa (if applicable

VI. If a J-1 applicant will be a student intern, the sponsoring Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi department and the applicant must download, complete, and submit Form DS-7002 (see link below) IN ADDITION to the required documents listed above:

1. Form DS-7002

VII. FINAL STEP: Submit the entire COMPLETE PACKAGE directly to The OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION at TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY-CORPUS CHRISTI with the mailing address as: 

Once you are issued the DS-2019 and J-Visa it is extremely important to maintain your non-immigrant status while residing in the U.S.

Please note the important information for the specifics regarding maintaining Visa status and contact the Office of International Education at Texas A&M Corpus Christi should you have any questions (international@tamucc.edu; 361-825-3346).