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The University of Oklahoma Human Resources Website

Initiate a request for a J-1 Exchange Visitor

The department sponsor must ensure that the program is suitable to the participant’s background, needs, and experience.  After the initial screening, the department will be required to submit a request to the International Faculty & Staff Services (IFSS) for issuance of a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility.  The steps for participants outside the U.S. are as follows:

  1. Form HR2019; Request for J-1 Exchange Visitor – to be completed by the sponsoring department and submitted to the appropriate IFSS office.
  2. Form DS-2019; Certificate of Eligibility – Upon receipt of the HR2019, the OU Responsible Program Officer will issue a DS-2019 and forward to the requesting department.  The sponsoring department must send theoriginal DS-2019 to the participant for use when applying for the J-1 visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. 
  3. Please refer to the US Department of State and/or US Embassies for information on current visa issuance protocols.  Current fees for visa services are available here.
  4. The participant must enter the U.S. no later than the start dated listed on the DS-2019 form. The participant must notify the IFSS office within three days of entry to the U.S and arrival on campus.  Proof of entry and U.S. residence address will be required. Evidence of compliance with insurance guidelines will be required within 30 days of arrival.
  5. Exchange Visitors receiving compensation from the university will be required to follow the New Hire appointment process for employees of OU.

Program Transfers

Requests for program transfers between the University and another institute or agency must be submitted with copies of the participant’s passport, I-94 card, current and previous DS-2019 forms. The transfer program must be clearly identifiable in purpose as the participant's orginal program. You may be required to submit additional evidence upon notice. Steps to transfer a current participant are:

  1. Form HR2019; Request for J-1 Exchange Visitor – to be completed by the sponsoring department and submitted to the appropriate IFSS office.
  2. Form DS-2019; Certificate of Eligibility – can only be issued by the OU Responsible Program Officer AFTER the participant's current Program Officer releases the participant. This date usually occurs on the day of the requested start date listed on the Form HR2019.
  3. The transferring participant must notify the IFSS office within three days of arrival to campus.
  4. Exchange Visitors receiving compensation from the university will be required to follow the New Hire appointment process for employees of OU.