Requests for the DS-2019 form for an individual to participate in full-time research, teaching, student internship, or other similar academic activity come to the Office of International Education through the HR administrator who is responsible for assisting academic departments with these matters.
Prospective scholars wishing to visit Georgia Tech as J Exchange Visitors must first identify a faculty sponsor within a specific academic school or college with a similar research interest. The faculty sponsor will be responsible for notifying the academic department hiring manager to begin the process of requesting the DS-2019 for the appropriate J-1 program on the Exchange Visitor's behalf.
The HR administrator will gather the information the OIE needs to identify whether the program suits the exchange visitor's background, needs, and experiences. In addition, the host department must identify that sufficient funding exists to support the Exchange Visitor and that the exchange visitor possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in his or her program and function independently in the community. Prospective scholars will be eligible for a DS-2019 from Georgia Tech only after documenting a High Beginner or greater proficiency in the English language based on the GT Language Proficiency rubric. Student Interns must have a minimum of intermediate English language proficiency.
Health Insurance
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) requires all participants in the Exchange Visitor Program to purchase and maintain health insurance and medical evacuation/repatriation insurance that meets or exceeds the DOS standards for themselves and J-2 dependents for the full duration of their J program. Exchange visitors can purchase an insurance plan within the United States or provide insurance from their home country. Review additional information regarding health insurance requirements.
Funding
Exchange visitors must demonstrate that they will have adequate funding for themselves and any dependents for the duration of their program.
- Exchange Visitors Minimum Funding Requirements
J Scholars - $2000 per month
J Student Interns - $1800 per month
Spouse - $700 per month
Child - $400 per month
Purpose of the Visit
The purpose of the visit is referred to as the program objective. It must remain consistent throughout the exchange visitors program.
J Scholar Requests
Before beginning any paperwork in iStart to request Georgia Tech sponsorship, the host academic unit should obtain a much detail as possible about the primary purpose of the visit, the length of the visit, the funding source for the visit as well biographical detail about the visitor. An HR administrator in each academic unit must have access to iStart to submit a request to hire or host a foreign national.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the exchange visitor scholar category, the applicant must meet the following requirements:
Funding is suitable to support the Exchange Visitor and any dependents for the duration of their program.
Possess the appropriate degree for the requested category.
Have sufficient English Language Proficiency.
Scholar category: High Beginner level proficiency
Professors and specialist categories: Intermediate level proficiency
Not subject to any bars or repeat participation if requesting the Research Scholar/Professor category.
Must be hosted by a Georgia Tech faculty member.
The duration of program participation is at least four weeks.
J Student Intern Requests
Internship programs are offered to undergraduate and graduate students whose U.S. internship/practical field experience will fulfill the educational objectives of his or her current degree program at his or her home institution. Internship programs provide unique opportunities for interns to gain practical experience while conducting research in their academic field. The Intern program is a structured work-based learning program that;
Reinforces an intern's academic study
Exposes the intern to American techniques, methodologies, and expertise and expands their knowledge and skills
Enhances the intern's knowledge of American culture and society.
Eligibility
Must be currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a postsecondary academic institution outside the United States
U.S. internship must fulfill the educational objectives for a current degree program at the home institution
Must have English language skills sufficient to function daily in the internship. Student Intern, category: Intermediate level proficiency
Verified through a sponsor-conducted interview, a recognized English language test, or signed documentation from an English language school.
Must be primarily in the United States to engage in a student internship program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer.
Must be accepted into a student internship program at the postsecondary accredited academic institution listed on the Form DS-2019.
Must be "in good academic standing" at the home institution outside the United States
Must return to the academic program outside the United States and obtain a degree from such academic institution after completion of the student internship program
Must have sufficient finances to support himself or herself and any accompanying dependents for their entire stay in the United States, including housing and living expenses (not subject to student funding source restrictions).
The internship must be full-time, with a minimum of 32 hours per week.
Student interns may participate for "up to 12 months for each degree/major." Extensions beyond 12 months are not possible.
Steps in the Process
Global HR oversees the Hiring and Hosting of E-forms. All 7 e-forms in this group must go through the various campus offices for approval. OIE only approves the last e-form, #7, “Visa Eligibility Determination.” This is where we recommend the type of J category, i.e., Scholar or Student Intern. After the recommendation, the Hosting Unit is responsible for initiating the next set of e-forms to OIE.
OIE oversees the J Scholar and J Student Intern e-forms group. We must receive all 6 e-forms before reviewing and issuing the DS-2019. The e-forms listed below are an example of the J Scholar request.
English Language Proficiency
J Scholar Program Information
J Scholar Applicant Information
J Scholar Dependent Information
J Scholar Financial Information
J Scholar Department Compliance Certification
OIE can only issue the DS-2019 once the Hiring and Hosting group is approved and all the e-forms for J scholar or student interns are received. Review more details in the processing steps.
OIE’s processing times are listed on our website at iStart E-form Processing Times | Office of International Education (gatech.edu)