J-1 Visa and Arrival Information

Visa Application Process

The easiest place to apply for your visa is at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country, or the country in which you are living. You should contact the specific consular office where you intend to apply to inquire about specific local procedures.

We recommend that you apply for your visa as early as you can. You can enter the U.S. 30 days before the start date on your DS-2019.

Check the visa appointment wait times

After you have received your DS-2019 from Boise State University, you’ll need to take the following steps:

Step One

Pay the SEVIS fee. The SEVIS fee is charged by the U.S. government, and it is different from your visa application fee. Your DS-2019 lists your SEVIS ID number, which you’ll use to pay the fee. Print out and keep your SEVIS fee receipt.

Pay the SEVIS fee

Step Two

Complete the online visa application (DS-160 form) and pay the visa application fee. Print out and keep the DS-160 barcode page (you do not need to print the completed application). Canadian citizens do not need to complete this step.

Visa application form

Step Three

Make your visa appointment at your local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Canadian citizens do not need to complete this step.

You will need a form called a DS-2019 to apply for your J-1 visa stamp in your passport. The DS-2019 will be issued by the International Admissions Office as part of your student admission process to Boise State University. The DS-2019 is a document that describes your academic program, including the length of your study, and what subject area you’ll be studying while at Boise State University.

To obtain a DS-2019 you must show that you have the financial resources for your experience at Boise State University. You can see the estimated living costs on our Financial Documentation webpage.

The specific financial amount that you will need to show for DS-2019 will depend on the nature and length of your studies at Boise State University. Please contact the exchange office at your home university (if you are an exchange student) or the International Admissions Office for more information.

Visa Interview

Often applicants are very nervous about this part of the visa application process. However, if you remain calm, answer questions honestly, and bring all the required documents, the process can be very straightforward. The interviews are usually in English, and they do not last very long. We do not recommend that you bring another person to speak on your behalf. Digital finger print scans are usually taken during the visa interview.

The U.S. consular official makes the ultimate decision as to whether you will be granted a visa, and he or she will exercise a lot of discretion in the process. Make sure you contact the local U.S. embassy or consulate before your visa interview to make sure you are bringing all the required items. You must also be ready to show that you have a residence in your home country and plan to return home once your studies are completed.

What to bring to your visa interview

DS-2019 (remember to sign the bottom of the form)
Boise State University admission letter
Barcode page from your DS-160 visa application form
Passport – valid for at least six months
Approved photo (if your photo did not upload)
SEVIS fee receipt
Visa fee – or receipt of the fee payment (if paid already)
Financial support documents
Evidence that helps to prove you will return to your country after finishing your studies in the U.S. This may include proof of property, family or other ties to your community. There are no exact documents to fulfill this requirement, since every person’s situation is different. Please look at the U.S. embassy website in case they have specific requirements for your country
Any other documents required by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Visa Length

A valid, unexpired J-1 visa stamp is required for entry to the U.S. In many cases your J-1 visa stamp will be issued for the length of your J-1 exchange program. The length of your program is written on your DS-2019. In some cases, your visa stamp in your passport may expire before your J-1 program is finished.

You can remain in the U.S. until your DS-2019 program end date – even if you have an expired J-1 visa in your passport – if you are in valid J-1 status and following all J-1 regulations. If you need an extension of your DS-2019 to complete your program then you must request an extension and submit all required documents before your DS-2019 program ends. Not all program extensions are possible, so we recommend you request an extension as far in advance as possible.

You can remain in the U.S. up to 30 days after your program end date on your DS-2019.

2-year Home Residency

Participation in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program may cause the participant to be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement. This is also known as Section 212(e). If subject, you must spend two years in your home country before you are eligible for an immigrant visa, H, L, or K status, or permanent residency. You may return on a B or F visa after first leaving the country. The two years do not have to be consecutive.

A waiver of this requirement may be possible in limited circumstances. However, the process can take some time and the visitor may be subject to penalties. Please be aware that a waiver application might impact your current J program and you should discuss the impact of a waiver application with an advisor in International Student Services before pursuing one. You can learn more on the U.S. State Department’s Section 212(e) webpage.

These requirements will also apply to any J-2 dependents if they apply to the J-1 visa holder.

Am I subject to the home residency requirement?

You may be subject to the home residency requirement if:

1) Your participation in an exchange program was financed, directly or indirectly, by the United States government or a foreign government for the purpose of exchange; and/or

2) The skills that you are coming to develop or exercise are in a field which your home government requested be included on the State Department Exchange Visitor skills list

Typically the home residency requirement will be listed on your DS-2019 or visa stamp by the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Information for Canadians

Canadian citizens do not require a J-1 visa stamp in their passport but still must have a valid DS-2019 to study in the United States. Upon entering the U.S., you will be required to show your valid passport, proof of financial resources to support your study, and SEVIS fee payment receipt. Please use the SEVIS ID number on your DS-2019 to pay your SEVIS fee online before you enter the U.S. Since most Canadians crossing the border enter as visitors, it is important to tell the immigration officer that you are entering as a J-1 exchange visitor.

If you enter the U.S. via land, the immigration office at your port of entry will give you an I-94 card to complete, and your portion will be returned to you. Keep this I-94 in a safe place as it confirms your J-1 status in the United States. If you enter the U.S. via air, you will have an electronic I-94. You will be able to print this document to show evidence of your student status in the U.S. In both cases, there is a small fee (currently $10) associated with receiving the I-94 document.

Even though you will not have a J-1 visa in your passport, you are still bound to follow all J-1 regulations, including those related to employment and full-time study.

Entering the U.S.

You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date on your DS-2019. When you first enter the U.S. the immigration official may ask you some questions to make sure that you are planning to attend Boise State University. Although you have a J-1 visa, the immigration official will do another check of all your documents so please make sure you put these items in your hand luggage so that you can easily present them:

Your passport valid for at least six months
Your original DS-2019
Your J-1 visa
Evidence of financial support (the same documents you used for your visa)

You are expected to enter the U.S. by the start date listed on your DS-2019, which is the first day of orientation. We recommend that you plan to arrive in Boise a few days before that date. If you have visa issuance delays that make this impossible, please contact the International Admissions office immediately, so that we can give you further information.

Arrival Instructions

If you are starting in the Fall semester then remember to submit an Early Arrival Request form if you are living on-campus. International students typically move into the Residence Halls early and must complete this form. If you have not arranged for early arrival housing, you may need to stay in a hotel until housing opens for the semester.

If you have arranged off-campus housing, you should ensure you are aware of your move-in date and plan to stay in a hotel if it is not available before orientation.

All J-1 students must attend International Student Orientation. More information on how to register for International Student Orientation will be sent to admitted students as details are confirmed.

Additional Resources

Driver’s License

You may need or want to apply for an Idaho Driver’s License if you want to drive in the U.S. You will need to take documents such as your valid passport, visa, DS-2019, proof of local address, Social Security Number (SSN) or letter from the Social Security Office saying you do not qualify for an SSN. Please note you may be required to take and pass a written skills test and/or a driving test.

The local Division of Motor Vehicles (DMV) office is located at 400 N Benjamin Lane, Boise, Idaho 83704; phone: 1-208-577-3100. Please visit the Idaho Transportation website for further information.

Social Security Number (SSN) & Employment

Social security numbers (SSN) are 9-digit numbers used for employment and some financial purposes in the United States. J-1 students are eligible to apply for an SSN if they have on-campus employment or have been authorized for Academic Training.

Review our J1 Student Employment website for more details on working in the United States and applying for an SSN.

Healthcare

Boise State University Health Services is located on campus, on the 2^nd floor of the NORCO building. A full list of their services and hours of operation is listed on the University Health Services website.

Other helpful resources can also be found on the University Health Services website:

All J-1 visa holders, as well as all J-2 dependents, are required to have health insurance while in the United States. Review our International Student Health Insurance webpage to learn more.

U.S. State Department Resources and Information

Exchange Visitor Brochure

Exchange Visitor Program Website

Wilberforce Pamphlet