Exchange Visitor Pre-Arrival Guide

Review the Online Pre-Arrival Orientation

The Homebase online pre-arrival guide provides additional information on the Exchange Visitor Program, visa regulations, and cultural aspects of the Salt Lake City and Utah community. To create a profile, please visit Homebase and follow these steps:

1. Select your institution: University of Utah
2. Input the program number: 154-11-75
3. Type in your name, e-mail address, date of birth, gender, and country of residence.
4. Create a password (Passwords must be at least 8 characters long and contain at least 1 lowercase letter, 1 uppercase letter, 1 numeric and 1 special character, such as the following: (!@#$%^&)T

Paying the SEVIS I-901 Fee

This fee is related to the SEVIS immigration database and different form the DS-160 visa application fee. Only the J-1 exchange visitor must pay this $220 fee, as it is not required for dependents. To pay the fee, visit FMJfee.com and for an instructional video, visit Study in the State's I-901 SEVIS Fee Payment Video.

• Choose one of the following categories when paying the fee:
  • Professor
  • Research Scholar
  • Short Term Scholar
  • Specialist, or
  • if visiting for a student internship, choose Student (College/University).
• Print the confirmation of your payment and bring to the visa appointment. 

Applying for a J-1 Visa

Foreign visitors, except for Canadian citizens, require a non-immigrant visa to enter the U.S. For additional information, visit the Department of State's page on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. 

To apply for a J-visa, please complete the "Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application" (DS-160). 

• The visa application fee is $160.
• For any additional fees, please visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country's website.
• Additional information about the visa application process can be found on the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
• Visit usembassy.gov for a list of all U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Dependents

If your spouse or minor unmarried children (under age 21) are accompanying you to the U.S., they may apply for a J-2 visa at the same time as you. Proof of the relationship will be required.

• Minor children 21 years of age or older are not eligible for a J-2 visa.
• If, while in the U.S., a J-2 minor dependent turns 21, they become ineligible for J-2 status, and will either need to depart the U.S. or apply for another visa status. If ineligible, a dependent may have other options to visit the U.S.

Application Documents

Each applicant must submit the following at the visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

• DS-2019 (original): Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status.
• DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (proof of application).
• Passport: valid for travel to the United States.
• Photograph: One 2x2 passport style photograph.
• I-901 Fee Receipt: for proof of payment.
• Proof of Funding/Financial Resources
• DS-7002 (Only required for student intern programs): Training/Internship Placement Plan.
• Any additional documentation noted on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.

Evidence of Binding Ties to a Residence in a Foreign Country

Individuals may be asked for evidence of binding ties to a residence in a foreign country without intent to abandon that residence, and an intent to exit the United States after the temporary stay as an Exchange Visitor in the U.S. This can include, but is not limited to:

• Property ownership outside of the United States.
• Continued employment outside of the United States. 
• Documentation of ties to family, social, economic, or academic connections to a country other than the United States. 
• For Student Interns, a letter from your university regarding your educational objectives, status at your university, and intent to return and complete your program of study. 

Travel to the United States

When traveling to the United States, be prepared to provide the following documents to Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at a U.S. port of entry (air, land, and sea). 

• Passport.
• J-1 non-immigrant visa stamp (located in your passport).
• Original form DS-2019.
• The invitation or offer letter from the university (that was given to you to demonstrate that you were accepted to an Exchange Visitor Program). 
• Evidence of financial resources or funding. 

icon Remember to keep these documents with you in your carry-on luggage while on the airplane so they will be available when you arrive at a port of entry and pass through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 

Delay in Travel

If your travel is delayed and you will arrive in Salt Lake City after your program begin date as listed on your DS-2019, please notify both your host academic department and ISSS's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program at internationalscholars@utah.edu. If given advance notice of a delay in travel, ISSS can amend (change) your program dates on your DS-2019. You are allowed to enter the United States as early as 30 days before the program begin date listed on your DS-2019. 

Providing Proof of Health Insurance

Exchange Visitors and their dependents must maintain health insurance during their exchange visitor program. Please review the document included in your pre-arrival packet titled "Health Insurance Requirements" or visit our health insurance page for more information, as well as item (f), page 2 of your DS-2019. Please be aware that an EV and dependent spouse or minor child may be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.

University of Utah Employee Health Care Plan

Some EVs may be eligible for the University's health plan. Please check with the department hosting your visit to find out if you are eligible. If you are eligible for the University plan, details can be found on on Human Resource's webpage.

icon Even if this is offered to you, you still need to proactively take action and sign up for the University plan. 

Private Insurance Plans

The University of Utah does not endorse private insurance plans, but if you are not eligible for the University's health plan and need to purchase private insurance, the following companies offer plans compliant with J-visa requirements. Please conduct your own research, and consider an option that is more comprehensive than the minimum requirements based on the health care needs of you and your family. We've provided a list of companies that write insurance that meets the Department of State's minimum requirements:

• ISO: www.isoa.org
• International Student Insurance: www.internationalstudentinsurance.com

Proof of insurance, such as a summary of benefits, declaration page, letter from your insurance or government provider identifying your coverage is necessary to validate your SEVIS record. For additional resources, review the overview of the healthcare system in the U.S. and how it relates to EVs.

icon If you are unable to provide proof of insurance to match the research begin date at the University of Utah, we will not be able to validate your SEVIS record. Failure to provide proof of health insurance that meets the minimum requirements of the U.S. Department of State will result in terminationof your visa status.

Housing Options (On and Off Campus)

While the University of Utah cannot guarantee on-campus housing for exchange visitors, we encourage you to review our Housing page for information on options on campus, and around the Salt Lake metro area. Your host department may also have additional resources for housing options. 

icon For information on the estimated cost of living in Salt Lake City, please review the following webpages:

• Living Wage Calculator
• Housing Frequently Asked Questions

Reporting Your On-Campus Arrival Through UAtlas

Upon entry to the U.S. for a new EV program, you must report your arrival to International Student and Scholar Services, which should be done within a few days of arrival. Reporting is necessary to validate your SEVIS immigration record, giving you an ACTIVE immigration status. Please be aware that if you do not report your arrival within 30 days of the program begin date as listed on your DS-2019, your immigration status will change to NO SHOW, which is not a legal status for any type of employment based or education based in the U.S. Please refer to the included in the Pre-Arrival packet on how to report your arrival using UAtlas. 

Please be prepared to submit the following as part of the reporting process through UAtlas:

• Passport.
• J-1 Visa (with "stamp" from Customs and Border Protection).
• DS-2019 with U.S. Consular Signature.
• I-94 document. To retrieve this document, which identifies that you entered the U.S. in J-visa status, please visit www.i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
• Proof of health insurance coverage. This should include your policy number and amount of coverage. 
• Current physical residential address in the United States and current contact information (e-mail address and U.S. phone number).  

Attending Orientation

Please participate in orientation, which occurs twice per month via Zoom. You will have an opportunity to sign up for the orientation after you report your arrival to campus and complete the check-in procedures. The following is a sample of the information covered during orientation:

• Life, customs, and cultural activities in the U.S.
• Community resource, such as transportation and libraries, and healthcare options. 
• Description of the Exchange Visitor Program and appointment disclosure information. 
• Information on visa regulations, sponsor (University of Utah) rules, and how to maintain your legal status in the U.S.
• Contact information: the name and address of the J-1 advisors (RO and ARO) at the university, as well as the Office of Designation (U.S. Department of State). 
• Information about applying for a driver's license, social security card, and bank account. 
• The Wilberforce Pamphlet regarding the rights and protections for temporary workers. 
• The Exchange Visitor Program Welcome Brochure. 

Final Reminders

Please remember that it is your responsibility to be knowledgeable of the rules and regulations of your visa type. This is important in order to understand the benefits and protections you are given as visitors to the U.S. Much of this information is covered on the Homebase online pre-arrival guide, and will be covered at the Exchange Visitor orientation after arrival. We will also be available during your stay for one-on-one advising sessions for any visa related questions. Another helpful resource is the Department of State's Exchange Visitor page.

A summary of many of the policies and regulations can be found on our J-1 Visa Program homepage. The following are examples of available information for scholars, including but not limited to:

• The 212(e) home residency requirement.
• The 12 and 24-Month bar.
• Incidental Study and Incidental Employment.
• Change of a Site of Activity.
• DS-2019 extension of stay.
• Transfer "to or from" another College or University. 
• Temporary Out of Country Leave.
• Health Insurance Requirements.
• Travel Abroad.
• J-2 Dependent Employment.