# J-1 Scholar Information
**Source**: https://isss.illinois.edu/departments/j1/
**Parent**: https://isss.illinois.edu/
- [Department Procedures for J-1 Status](#departmentj1procedures)
- [J-1 Processing Flowchart](#j1flowchart)
- [Student Interns](#j1interns) (Undergraduate Scholars)
- [J-1 SEVIS Alert Response Form](https://illinois.edu/fb/sec/4328790)
- [Guidelines for Funding Documentation](#j1fundingguidelines)
- [Guidelines for Assessment of English Language Proficiency](#j1english)
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## Departmental Procedures for J-1 Status
### J-1 Research Scholars, Professors, and Short-Term Scholars
Recommended lead time: 2-3 months. More time should be allowed if the person is in the U.S. and will apply for a change of status.
1. Host department requests DS-2019 using iSTART;
2. Department submits voucher for processing fee to ISSS;
3. ISSS prepares form DS-2019—up to two weeks from receipt of complete request for a DS-2019 to be issued;
4. ISSS sends DS-2019 to department with pre-arrival materials to be mailed to visitor;
5. Department sends DS-2019 packet to visitor.
In the most common scenario, the visitor is abroad. The visitor makes an appointment to present the DS-2019 and visa application to the U.S. embassy or consulate to apply for a J-1 visa. Spouse and children may apply for J-2 dependent visas. **Security clearances can sometimes cause delays of a few weeks and, in some cases, a few months.**
If visitor is in the U.S., DS-2019 may, in most circumstances, be mailed to the Immigration Service with a change of status request. Approval may take several months.
If visitor is in the U.S., on another institution’s J-1 program, they may usually transfer to our program if the category remains the same and if the time limit is not exceeded.
**Visas are issued at the discretion of consular officials.** Although the majority of our J-1s get their visas without incident, occasionally a visa is denied. The most common reason for a denial is that the officer suspects that the applicant intends to immigrate to the U.S. The visa applicant should always be prepared to show strong ties to his or her home country. If a visa is denied, contact the ISSS office with as much detail as possible, and we will try to assist you.
## J-1 Processing Flowchart
Below is the general J-1 processing times for individuals coming from abroad. The exact timeline may vary.
| Steps | Completed by | Timeline |
| --- | --- | --- |
| 1. Host department submits the visa documentation request. | Host department at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | Varies by department. |
| 2. ISSS issues visa documentation (DS-2019) and prepares documents and information packet for department to mail. | ISSS | Approximately two weeks from receipt of the complete request from the department. |
| 3. Prospective J-1 Visitor pays SEVIS fee online and schedules visa interview with U.S. Embassy or Consulate. | Prospective J-1 Visitor | Approximately 1-14 days (varies by country). |
| 4. U.S. Embassy or Consulate conducts visa interview and issues visa stamp, if approved. **Note:** Canadian citizens are exempt from the J-1 visa requirement. **Note:** If security clearance is needed, the U.S. Department of State will conduct a security check. If clearance is not received, visa is denied. | U.S. Embassy or Consulate | Approximately 4-8 weeks, but may be longer. |
| 5. Prospective J-1 Visitor makes travel arrangements and travels to U.S. The J-1 Visitor checks in with host department and ISSS following upon arrival. | Prospective J-1 Visitor | Varies by individual, but may take several weeks. |
| 6. ISSS reviews visa documents and provides orientation session. | ISSS | Group sessions are offered every other week and last for one hour. |
## Student Interns
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign uses the J-1 Student Intern category for undergraduates from academic institutions abroad coming to the United States to do research. The maximum duration for this category is 12 months. All individuals in this J-1 category must be engaged in a student internship (they cannot pursue ordinary employment or fulfill a labor need) and must perform internship-related tasks at least 32 hours per week. Student Interns may hold either paid or unpaid internships, and may or may not hold an appointment with the university.
With any J-1 request for the Student Intern category, written, formal documentation from the home institution must be included. The documentation must state:
- The individual is enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree at an accredited college/university abroad; AND
- The individual is considered “in good standing” with the institution; AND
- The internship at the university meets educational objectives for the degree program.
Also, a DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan must be completed for each Student Intern. The information needed to complete the DS-7002 will be collected through the DS-2019 request in iSTART. The information will be reviewed by an ISSS advisor, and then the completed DS-7002 will be provided to the department for signatures. The department must collect signatures from both the Student Intern and the faculty host, and then return the signed document to ISSS. Only after receiving the fully signed DS-7002 may ISSS issue the DS-2019. The Student Intern will need both the DS-2019 and the DS-7002 when applying for a visa and entering the United States.
DS-7002 Sample Responses
**Description of Trainee/Student Intern’s role for this program.**
The Student Intern will participate in molecular biology experiments to study genomic responses of Drosophila melanogaster (fruit flies) to human drugs.
**Specific goals and objectives for this program.**
The Student Intern will learn to culture and analyze fat stem cells grown under different conditions in novel small growth chambers. This will enable her to conduct meaningful experiments on the development of fat stem cells. These skills will benefit her continued education and future career as a Stem Cell Biologist.
**Names and titles of those who will provide continuous supervision of the Trainee/Student Intern, including the primary supervisor. What are these persons’ qualifications to teach the planned learning?**
Overall supervision of the program will be provided by Dr. Jane Smith, who holds a PhD in Animal Sciences and has hosted Student Interns in her laboratory for the past four summers. Daily guidance and training will also be provided by Xin Li, a graduate student whose research is focused in this area.
**What plans are in place for the Trainee/Student Intern to participate in cultural activities while in the United States?**
International Student and Scholar Services encourages cross-cultural activities and provides relevant materials and programming.
**Specific knowledge, skills or techniques to be learned by the Trainee/Student Intern.**
The Student Intern will learn to use extracted RNA to perform gene expression analysis in the laboratory, analyze results and summarize in a scientific manner.
**How specifically will these knowledge, skills or techniques be taught?**
The Student Intern will set up experiments which will expose fruit flies to compounds that should affect their biology, both at a molecular and organismal level, record the results, and then analyze the data to gain an understanding of how fruit flies respond to chemical insults.
**How will the Trainee/Student Intern’s acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured?**
The faculty host will meet with the Student Intern on a weekly basis to discuss progress on the assigned tasks. The supervisor will also be able to provide direction and feedback as necessary between meetings. The Student Intern will be expected to write a final report, which will be reviewed and evaluated by the faculty host.
Student Intern Evaluations (Required)
For all Student Interns, a final evaluation by the department will be required. For internships of more than six months, a midpoint evaluation will also be required. The evaluation form must be completed by the faculty host and signed by both the host and the Student Intern. Please use the following forms and submit completed evaluations to our office via email.
- [Final Evaluation Form (PDF)](https://isss.web.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/j1_intern_finaleval.pdf)
- [Mid-Point Evaluation Form (PDF)](https://isss.web.illinois.edu/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/j1_intern_midpointeval.pdf)
## Guidelines for Funding Documentation
When requesting a DS-2019 from ISSS, documentation of the scholar’s funding must be provided. The information below outlines requirements for such documentation.
Originals are not required, but any copies submitted must be clear and legible. All documentation submitted must be in English, or be accompanied by an official English translation. If there is a problem obtaining an official translation, the scholar can contact the host department, who will work with ISSS for a possible solution.
1. **Program Sponsor (University of Illinois) Funds.** Official documentation is not needed! However, it is helpful to provide a copy of the offer/invitation letter.
2. **Home Government Funds and Other Organization Funds.** Certificate or letter (signed and on letterhead) from funding organization required, including:
- Date of issue
- Document must be no more than three months old.
- Scholar’s name
- Amount of funding
- Amount need not be listed in U.S. dollars, but type of currency must be clear.
- Duration of funding, or confirmation that funding will be provided throughout scholar’s stay at the University of Illinois
- If specific validity dates are listed in letter, program dates must fall within that time frame, or additional funding documentation will be required.
3. **Personal Funds.** Certificate or letter (signed and on letterhead) from scholar’s bank, including:
- Date of issue
- Document must be no more than three months old.
- Account holder’s name
- The account balance OR confirmation that the account contains sufficient funds to support the scholar in the amount of $2100 per month for the duration of the J-1 program.
- If scholar has J-2 dependents, confirmation of additional funding will be required, in the amount of $750 per month for the first dependent and $300 per month for each additional dependent.m.
If funding will be provided by a personal sponsor (parent, etc.), documentation must include BOTH a signed, notarized (or otherwise certified) letter including all criteria listed in Section 2 AND a certificate or letter from the personal sponsor’s bank including all criteria listed in Section 3.
## Guidelines for Assessment of English Language Proficiency
The Department of State requires program sponsors to assess and document the English language proficiency of each incoming J scholar before issuing a DS-2019.
The faculty host is required to conduct the English assessment unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case the assessment may be conducted by the department head. As part of the DS-2019 application process, the faculty host must provide information about and documentation of the assessment and confirm that the prospective scholar has sufficient proficiency in the English language to successfully participate in his or her program and to functi on on a day-to-day basis in the United States.
## Acceptable Assessment Methods
### Interview
- Must be conducted by the faculty host or department head within the past two years
- May be conducted by video conference, in person, or by telephone (if other options are not viable)
- Date and location of interview must be provided
### Recognized English Language Test
- Test must have been taken within the past two years
- Acceptable tests/minimum scores include:
- TOEFL iBT minimum score of 79
- IELTS minimum score of 6.5
- Duolingo (accepted temporarily) minimum score of 115
- Score report must be provided
### Documentation from an Academic Institution
- A letter (dated within the past two years, signed and on letterhead) from a representative of the institution must be provided, confirming the prospective scholar has sufficient proficiency in the English language to successfully participate in his or her J program and function on a day-to-day basis in the United States.
### Documentation from an English Language School
- A letter (signed and on letterhead) or certificate must be provided, confirming the prospective scholar has completed the English language training within the past two years.
**Although the assessment form still must be completed, a language assessment will not be required f**or the following schola**rs:**
- Scholars whose native language is English.
- Scholars who have successfully participated in an Illinois J program within the past two years.
- Scholars who are currently attending an institution where English is the medium of instruction, or scholars who completed a degree at such an institution within the past two years. However, the name of the institution and copy of the diploma or confirmation of enrollment must be provided.