DS-2019 Application – Instructions
Documentation to be submitted to the IFSS Office
(located at 21 N. Park St., Suite 5101)
J-1 Exchange Visitor Categories: Professor, Research Scholar, Short Term Scholar and Specialist.
It is important for the department to determine the duration of the proposed stay before completing this
form.
Professors and Research Scholars: may extend their stay in the U.S. for up to five years.
Short Term Scholars: may remain in the U.S. for a maximum of only six months and no extension of
stay is permitted.
Specialists: limited to a stay of one year, with an extension possible only under exceptional
circumstances and with Department of State (DOS) approval.
IFSS would prefer a minimum of three months processing time for J-1 scholar requests from the time
IFSS receives the request until the desired begin date of the scholar’s program.
Procedures:
Hosting UW-Madison Department
Approves International Visitor invitation/appointment and J-1 status request per internal UW-
department procedures
The UW-department completes DS-2019 request form including attachments
Forwards completed application packet to the IFSS Office
IFSS Office
Processes completed DS-2019 application packet
Document processing for complete applications is a minimum of 2-3 weeks in the IFSS office. This
excludes mailing time to scholar, timing of consular appointments, airline flights, etc
Dispatches visitor’s DS-2019 packet as instructed by UW-department (Departmental Pick-up or using a
completed express mail air-bill provided by UW-department)
Upon visitor’s check-in at our office, copies immigration documents/schedules orientation
Visitor
Must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee PRIOR to going to the U.S. consulate
Takes DS-2019, passport, UW appointment/invitation letter, and any other required financial documents
to U.S. Consulate to obtain J-1 U.S. visa stamp in passport (exception for Canadian Citizens)
Uses DS-2019 and passport with J-1 U.S. visa stamp to enter the U.S.
Checks in with IFSS Office for mandatory registration as soon as possible after arrival in U.S.
Schedules and attends mandatory J-1 Scholar Orientation
Registers with the SHIP Office and purchases the SHIP Insurance or applies for a waiver of the SHIP
Insurance within 31-days from the arrival date