On this page
- Quick summary
- Overview (What is Form DS-2019?)
- Context and workflow
- Requirements snapshot
- Failure prevention (What causes Form DS-2019 rejections?)
- What it asks for (What does Form DS-2019 ask for?)
- What you need (What do you need for Form DS-2019?)
- Checklist (What is the Form DS-2019 checklist?)
- Processing times
- Where to file
- Fees
- Form sections (What sections does Form DS-2019 have?)
- Key terms
- Strategy tips
- Mistake severity
- Examples (What are examples for Form DS-2019?)
- Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form DS-2019?)
- Edge cases and variations
- Scenarios
- Key differentiators
- Why it matters
- Next steps
- Verification
- Related guides
- Resources
Quick summary
#embassy or consulate.
J-1: J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Include it with your application package and follow official instructions for submission.
Names, dates of birth, and passport details on other forms Program checklist requirements Supporting documents and translations
Overview (What is Form DS-2019?)
#Form DS-2019, known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, is essential for applying for a J-1 visa. This visa allows foreign nationals to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States, facilitating cultural and educational exchanges. Exchange visitor (J) visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals approved to engage in these programs. Applicants must complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160, and may need to provide additional documentation depending on their specific eligibility category.
Official portal interface for DS-2019
Source: DS-2019 online portal
Context and workflow
#You will receive a Receipt Notice, a related form, confirming your submission.
Why this matters
- This form helps confirm that the application matches the program’s requirements and checklist.
- This form acts as a cross-check point: details here must match other forms and supporting documents.
Where it fits in the workflow
- Processing time for DS-2019 varies by location — always check the official Department of State processing time tool.
- Initiating the exchange visitor visa process.
- Providing necessary documentation for visa interview.
- Supporting evidence for visa issuance.
Who uses it
Applicants pursuing a J-1 visa utilize Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, as part of their application process at a U.S. embassy or consulate. This form is essential for foreign nationals seeking to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States, facilitating cultural and educational exchanges. U.S. government-sponsored exchange visitor applicants and their dependents may be exempt from application processing fees if they are part of a Department of State, USAID, or Federally funded educational and cultural exchange program.
When it is used
- J-1: J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
- J-2: J-2 Dependent Visa
- When petitioning for J-1 — approval of DS-2019 is a step toward this visa category
- When filing DS-2019 alongside DS-160 (DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application required alongside DS-2019)
- After filing DS-2019 — DS-3035 may be the next step (J-1 waiver if subject to two-year home residence requirement)
- After filing DS-2019 — I-539 may be the next step (Change of status or extension for J-1 exchange visitors)
Requirements snapshot
#- After submitting DS-2019, you generally schedule a visa interview and bring the confirmation page with barcode.
Failure prevention (What causes Form DS-2019 rejections?)
#Technical rejections
- Failure to upload a compliant photo.
- Not completing the DS-160 form online.
- Ensure form edition is current
Substantive weaknesses
- To avoid expired or invalid ds-2019: Use the current DS-2019 from your program; verify start/end dates.
- To avoid missing proof of funding or program acceptance: Include financial evidence and program acceptance letter as required.
- To avoid unsigned or altered ds-2019: Ensure program sponsor signs the form; do not make changes after issuance.
- To avoid applying with expired program dates: Verify start/end dates; apply for visa within 30 days of program start.
What it asks for (What does Form DS-2019 ask for?)
#- Complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160.
- Upload a photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
- Your eligibility for an exchange visitor program
- Details of your intended exchange program
- Biographical and identity details
- Your full legal name as it appears on official documents
- Your date and place of birth
- Documentation related to: Passport valid for travel to the United States
- Documentation related to: Complete all required sections, sign, and submit with required evidence
Sources for this section
What you need (What do you need for Form DS-2019?)
#- The current edition of DS-2019
- Proof of current immigration status
- Government-issued photo identification
- Passport-style photographs meeting specifications
- Upload a photo in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
- Passport valid for travel to the United States.
- Complete all required sections, sign, and submit with required evidence.
- Failure to upload a photo that meets the visa photo requirements.
- Copy of your filed or approved DS-160 (DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application required alongside DS-2019)
Sources for this section
Checklist (What is the Form DS-2019 checklist?)
#- Access the latest DS-2019 form and accompanying instructions directly from the official Department of State website.
- Before filing, carefully review the official DS-2019 instructions.
- Gather required supporting documents per the instructions
- Complete all required sections of DS-2019
- Confirm photos are unmounted and unretouched per Department of State specifications
- Sign, date, and submit DS-2019 with all required supporting evidence
Sources for this section
Processing times
#| Category | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Student/Exchange (F, M, J) | 0.5 to 7.5 monthsas of February 2026 |
- Processing time for DS-2019 under "Student/Exchange (F, M, J)": 0.5 to 7.5 months (as of February 2026).
- Processing times for DS-2019 vary by category and processing location. Verify current processing times with the issuing authority.
- Processing times differ significantly by eligibility category. Initial applications, renewals, and replacements each go through different adjudication queues, and some categories consistently take longer than others.
- Renewal filings are often processed differently than initial applications. If you are renewing, file well before your current authorization expires — some categories allow you to continue working while the renewal is pending if filed on time.
- The service center assigned to your case affects how long it takes. Department of State distributes filings across multiple centers, and each has different workloads. You cannot choose which center processes your case.
- To check your estimated timeline: visit the official Department of State processing times tool, select your form and eligibility category, and note that the tool shows the filing date of cases currently being worked on — not a countdown from when you filed.
Where to file
#Online filing is available for some categories — verify on the official form page. Otherwise, file by mail to the address in the instructions.
File online
Check the official DS-2019 page to see if online filing is available for your category.
Submit application
Paper filing addresses vary by eligibility category and state of residence. Check the official instructions for the correct filing address.
Filing locations and procedures may change. Always verify on the official Department of State website before submitting. For related guidance, see j-2.
Fees
#| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Filing FeeThe standard filing fee for form ds-2019. Check the official fee schedule for the current amount. | See official schedule |
Can the Form DS-2019 fee be waived?
Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility.
What happens if I submit the wrong fee?
Department of State will reject your application if the incorrect fee is submitted. Verify the current fee on the official schedule before filing.
Fee waiver: Fee waivers may be available for qualifying applicants. See official instructions for eligibility. For related guidance, see j-1.
Department of State fee schedule
Fees change; always verify on Department of State.
Form sections (What sections does Form DS-2019 have?)
#Program Information
Exchange program details.
- Program number and sponsor name
- Category (e.g., Research Scholar, Student)
- Program start and end dates
- Field of study or research
Exchange Visitor Details
Applicant identification.
- Full name and date of birth
- Country of citizenship
- SEVIS ID
- Funding source and amount
Training or Study Plan
Activities during the program.
- Site of activity (host institution)
- Supervisor or advisor name
- Brief description of activities
- Academic credentials required
Key terms
#- SEVIS
- Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a database for tracking exchange visitors.In this form: SEVIS registration is required for all exchange visitors and is linked to the DS-2019 form.
Strategy tips
#Mistake severity
#| Mistake type | Severity | How to avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Expired or invalid DS-2019 | Rejection | Use the current DS-2019 from your program; verify start/end dates. |
| Missing proof of funding or program acceptance | RFE | Include financial evidence and program acceptance letter as required. |
| Unsigned or altered DS-2019 | Rejection | Ensure program sponsor signs the form; do not make changes after issuance. |
| Applying with expired program dates | Rejection | Verify start/end dates; apply for visa within 30 days of program start. |
Examples (What are examples for Form DS-2019?)
#- Strong application: An applicant submits the form with all required documents and receives a timely decision.
- Common weakness: Applicant forgets to include program sponsor information, causing delays.
- An applicant overseas completes DS-2019 as part of the consular visa interview process
- A beneficiary of an approved petition uses DS-2019 to apply for their immigration visa at the embassy
- An applicant in the J-1 category files DS-2019 as part of their immigration process
Common misconceptions (What misconceptions surround Form DS-2019?)
#- Filing this form does not guarantee approval of the underlying case
- Requirements may differ based on your specific situation
- Some applicants assume they can enter the United States immediately after receiving the DS-2019, but they typically must wait until 30 days before the program start date.
- Meeting the document requirements guarantees visa approval — The consular officer retains discretion to approve or deny the visa based on the totality of circumstances, even when all documents are submitted.
Edge cases and variations
#- If you are asked to submit or update DS-2019, treat it as a package update: check every place the same details appear and keep them consistent.
Scenarios
#A Chinese researcher receives a signed DS-2019 from a US university for a J-1 research scholar program. She completes DS-160 and schedules a visa interview.
J-1 visa issued at the consulate. She enters the US and begins her research program on the designated start date.
The DS-2019 must be signed by your program sponsor. Verify program dates and SEVIS status before your interview.
An exchange visitor's DS-2019 shows a program end date that has already passed when they arrive at the consulate.
Visa denied. The sponsor must issue a new DS-2019 with valid dates before a new application can be submitted.
Apply for your J-1 visa well before the program start date. Expired or invalid program dates cause automatic denial.
A J-1 academic trainee is subject to the two-year home residence requirement. She applies for a DS-3035 waiver before changing status.
Waiver approved. She can then pursue H-1B or adjustment of status without the two-year bar.
If subject to the two-year rule, obtain a waiver before changing status or applying for certain immigrant visas.
Key differentiators
#- Unlike Form DS-160: Form DS-2019 specifically certifies eligibility for exchange visitor programs, while DS-160 is a general nonimmigrant visa application form.
- Unlike Form DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application: Filed together: DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application required alongside DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitor pathway)
- Unlike Form DS-3035: J-1 Waiver Recommendation Application: Next step after approval: J-1 waiver if subject to two-year home residence requirement (J-1 Exchange Visitor pathway)
- Unlike : Next step after approval: Change of status or extension for J-1 exchange visitors (J-1 Exchange Visitor pathway)
Why it matters
#U.S. government sponsored exchange visitor applicants are exempt from certain fees.
Why it matters: Understanding fee exemptions can prevent unnecessary payments and streamline the application process.
The two-year home-country physical presence requirement applies to certain J-visa holders.
Why it matters: Failure to comply with this requirement can affect future visa applications and immigration status changes.
Separate DS-2019 forms are required for dependents accompanying the primary visa holder.
Why it matters: Ensuring each family member has the correct documentation is crucial for their visa approval and entry into the U.S.
Next steps
#- Receive Receipt Notice (a related form) confirming submission.
- Schedule and attend a visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Provide biometric information if required.
- Await visa decision and receive passport with visa if approved.
- Enter the U.S. within the allowed timeframe before the program start date.
Verification
#This guide is based on official Department of State instructions for DS-2019 and is updated whenever there are changes to form editions or filing rules. Always confirm current requirements on the official Department of State website.
FAQs
What is the purpose of Form DS-2019?
Form DS-2019, known as the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, is essential for securing a J-1 visa. This document is crucial for those intending to join exchange programs in the United States.
Do I need to pay any fees when submitting Form DS-2019?
Applicants for U.S. government-sponsored exchange visitor programs, along with their dependents, may be exempt from paying application processing fees if they are part of a federally funded initiative.
What is DS-2019?
DS-2019 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.
Where can I file this form?
Consult the official instructions to verify the latest filing addresses and submission methods.
What is the filing fee?
Please consult the official website for the most up-to-date fee schedule.
What supporting documents do I need for DS-2019?
Ensure your photo adheres to the specified format outlined in the Photograph Requirements. Your passport must be valid for travel to the United States. For comprehensive guidance, consult the official instructions.
What are common reasons DS-2019 gets rejected?
Common reasons DS-2019 is rejected include missing or incorrect signatures, using an outdated form edition, incomplete required fields, incorrect fee payment, missing required supporting documents, and photographs that do not meet official specifications. Carefully review the instructions and checklist before submitting.
When will DS-2019 be processed and what is the workflow?
Processing timing for DS-2019 varies depending on the filing category, processing location, and current application volume. Standard processing can range from a few weeks to several months. Before submitting, check the official Department of State processing times tool for the most current estimates. After filing, monitor your case status and consider whether expedited options are available.
VisaMind provides informational guidance only and is not a government agency. This is not legal advice. Requirements can change and eligibility depends on your specific facts. If your case is complex or high-stakes, consult a licensed immigration attorney.
Next steps
Requirements vary by nationality, purpose, timeline, and case details. VisaMind turns uncertainty into a sequenced checklist with official source citations.
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