The Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) below should be used as guidance to help answer general questions regarding the BridgeUSA program, and exchange visitors. For information on specific DS-2019 requests, please email jscholars@oie.gatech.edu.
BridgeUSA Program FAQs:
- What is BridgeUSA?
The U.S. Department of State oversees the BridgeUSA program, which was established to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries. BridgeUSA, also known as the Exchange Visitors Program, includes exchange visitors such as professors, research scholars, short-term students, and student interns, for research purposes.
BridgeUSA Administrative Fee FAQs
- What is the effective date for the BridgeUSA Administrative Fee?
February 1, 2025
- Is this a required fee?
Yes.
- Who does this affect?
Exchange visitors whose DS-2019 requests were received on or after February 1, 2025.
- Are exchange visitors who transfer their SEVIS record to Georgia Tech subject to the fees?
If the DS-2019 request is submitted on or after February 1, 2025, that includes a SEVIS transfer into Georgia Tech, then the fee is required.
- Is a fee required to transfer a SEVIS record to another university?
No.
- Are DS-2019 extensions included in the fee requirement?
Yes. Exchange Visitors whose initial DS-2019 was issued on or after February 1, 2025, are subject to the fee associated with an extension.
- Are current exchange visitors subject to extension fees?
Exchange visitors in an active J program with Georgia Tech before February 1, 2025, are not subject to the fees for the duration of their program.
- Are pending DS-2019 requests subject to the fees?
Fully completed DS-2019 requests submitted before February 1, 2025, are not subject to fees. This means that all required e-forms and documents are submitted before the fee effective date.
- Who can pay the fees?
The fee can be paid by either the exchange visitor or the institutional hosting unit.
- When are the fees paid?
Fees will be paid at the time of the DS-2019 request.
- Who is considered an exchange visitor?
Anyone with a J-1 status in one of the BridgeUSA Exchange Visitor Program categories is an exchange visitor.
In general, Georgia Tech position titles may vary (e.g., postdoc, research scientist, research engineer, visiting professor, visiting scholar, etc.); however, the DS-2019 will list one of the BridgeUSA Exchange Visitor program categories such as Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor, Specialist, Student Intern, etc.
- How do I know if I am an exchange visitor?
You are considered an exchange visitor if you are on a J-1 visa.
- How do I know if I am an employee or an affiliate?
An employee is an exchange visitor who is paid by Georgia Tech.
An Affiliate Exchange Visitor is someone who is not paid by GT and is supported by personal funds or other international funding sources. More information can be found on the Global HR website hr.gatech.edu/affiliates
- Does this fee also go for employees on OPTs and H-1Bs, or is this just for J-1s?
It is only for J-1s.
J Scholar FAQs:
- Who is an Exchange Visitor?
An Exchange Visitor is someone who holds a J-1 visa.
- I am unsure what is the appropriate visa for a prospective visitor, what do I do?
Both the Office of International Education and the Office of Global Human Resources support non-U.S. Citizen GT affiliates and employees with immigration and visas. The type of visa is determined by the primary purpose of the visit/activity the individual will take part in during their stay in the U.S., the length of the activity and the type of funding or payment the individual will receive. Each academic school has an administrator with iStart access who can submit the Visa Type Questionnaire e-form to inform the OIE and GHR of the visit and allow us to assist the department to identify the visa options.
- How do I request a DS-2019 for someone who will not be enrolled as a student at GT?
Requests for the form DS-2019 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 for an academic department that has agreed to host the individual and has completed the steps to invite the scholar.
Prospective scholars who wish to visit Georgia Tech as a J Exchange Visitor must first identify a faculty sponsor within a specific academic program that fits your research interest. The faculty sponsor will be responsible for notifying the school's hiring manager to begin the process to request the DS-2019 for the appropriate J-1 program on the Exchange Visitor's behalf.
- I am a GT faculty member and would like to invite a scholar to GT as a J-1 visa holder, what do I do?
Please make contact with the HR administrator in your unit who is trained to make requests through iStart. Please contact the HR Administrator in your school and they will help you identify the right person to assist you or email jscholars@oie.gatech.edu.
J Student Intern FAQs:
- Who is considered a Student Intern?
A J-1 Student intern is an international student who is currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree program at a postsecondary academic institution outside academic institution outside the United States, coming to Georgia Tech to conduct research that will fulfill the educational objectives for their degree.
- Why does the J Student Intern request ask for such detailed questions about the work the intern will do and their English language proficiency?
The additional detail related to the program objectives and the English language proficiency is being requested in the J Student Intern request forms to ensure the OIE follows Department of State the regulations and we are adequately able to determine eligibility for the J student intern visa category as well as capable of issuing the DS-7002 Internship Placement Plan with the DS-2019 immigration form. Sponsoring departments can refer to the English language proficiency rubric to help identify the language proficiency of a prospective Student Intern.
- What is the DS-7002?
The DS-7002 in the Internship Placement Plan is required for all J-1 Student Interns at the visa interview. This form will replace the GT Template Placement Agreement and should be used to satisfy institutions abroad and the J visa interview.
- Who completes the DS-7002?
OIE uses the Eform submissions to complete the DS-7002 for the departments. We will then send it to the faculty host supervisor through DocuSign for signature. Once complete, we will email it to the student intern.
- What happens if a student intern’s English language proficiency, as demonstrated by TOEFL or IELTS test scores, does not meet the minimum standards or if the student has not taken one of the selected language proficiency exams?
Student interns are required to demonstrate an Intermediate Level of English Proficiency, as detailed in the English language proficiency rubric. The sponsoring faculty member and department can select their preferred mode of verifying English language proficiency from three options, including an assessment based on a sponsor-conducted interview, a language proficiency test score, or a letter from an accredited language program. Ultimately, the sponsoring faculty member is responsible for identifying that the prospective student intern has the English language skills needed to successfully complete the internship and function in an English-speaking environment while at Georgia Tech. J Interns are not eligible to enroll in Georgia Tech academic classes during their internship program. The English Language Institute will continue to make English classes accessible to the J Exchange Visitors.
- Can a student intern fund as much or as little of their own internship program, as long as they meet the minimum $1800 per month and can provide documentation?
Interns can be self-funded or fully sponsored by the department.
- Can a J Student Intern apply for GT admission and complete coursework during their Internship?
No, J Student Interns are not Georgia Tech students and are classified as affiliate Visiting Research Students. They are not eligible to enroll in any Georgia Tech classes and are expected to return to their home institution upon completion of their internship program.
- Can the J Student Intern return to GT as a student at a later date?
Yes, after returning to the home institution to complete coursework, a former intern can apply and receive admission to pursue a GT degree. However, a student intern cannot remain in the U.S. after their internship and subsequently enroll in a GT degree program. A new immigration form is appropriate for a degree-seeking student, and a student visa will be needed to change the visa type prior to enrollment in classes.
- What form of TOEFL and IELTS score reports will you accept?
The TOEFL score report is sent to a student as a PDF. We expect to have a PDF of the score report if the student fulfills the English language proficiency requirement with a test score.
- Will the visitors be allowed to audit classes if the course instructor allows it?
No, the Institute does not recognize auditing, so it is not an activity that EVs should participate in.
- What does the required J Student Intern evaluation process look like?
The department hiring manager will receive email reminders from the OIE regarding the required evaluation (final evaluation and 6-month evaluation when the internship program is longer than 6 months). The evaluation form will be an Eform in iStart initiated by the Hiring Manager, who will identify the person who will complete the evaluation questions. The questions may include:
1. Did the Intern meet the Internship objectives
2. Describe the Intern's relationship with Colleagues
3. What accomplishments and skills do the intern achieve/learn during the Internship program?
4. What areas can the Intern improve upon?
5. Rate the Intern on Attitude, Dependability, Quality of Work, and Judgment.- Can departments use standardized language for the internship placement plan?
We suggest you use a standard template format for answering the T/IPP questions, but we will need specific details about each student and their unique internship plan.
iStart FAQs:
- I am from an academic school, and I need access to iStart in order to request a DS-2019 for an incoming J-1 scholar, what do I do?
Human Resources Administrators within the academic units who will make requests with GHR or OIE for immigration documentation must complete basic iStart training. Visit the iStart administrator access tutorial.
- I am trained in iStart but have technical difficulties, what do I do?
Please email the Office of International Education at jscholars@oie.gatech.edu and briefly describe your problem. Including a screenshot will help OIE assist you in resolving the issue.