• Quicklinks |

• Home
• About Us
• Services
• Campus Life
• Shopping

• ISS Home
• Categories & Time Limitations
• Pre-Arrival Information
• Immigration
• Employment
• Information for Departments
• Completion and Termination
• Program Modifications
• Additional Resources

Exchange Visitor Program - Eligibility and Program Characteristics

International scholars and researchers invited to Oklahoma State University (OSU) to teach or conduct research are issued U.S. Department of State Certificates of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. This document is commonly referred to as a DS-2019 Form (formerly the IAP-66 Form). The holder of a DS-2019 may apply for and be granted a J-1 visa, the special visa class for exchange visitors engaging in educational and cultural exchange. It is generally used for visiting researchers and professors coming to OSU for programs of limited duration. This visa category is not intended for permanent employment. Those appointed to tenure track positions are not eligible for J-1 status.

Exchange Visitors (EV) classified in J-1 status are governed by regulations of the U.S. Department of State, immigration regulations enforced by the Department of Homeland Security and Program Sponsor policies.

Department of State (DOS)

Creates and administers federal regulations and policies governing the Exchange Visitor Program. Issues J visas to Exchange Visitors (EV) and their dependents (J-2) through US consulates and embassies.

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

Within the Department of Homeland Security, three bureaus oversee the majority of immigration activities:

• Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) manages the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a data management system used by officials to monitor participants, programs, sponsor activity and issue forms for immigration purposes. ICE manages immigration investigations, detentions and deportations.
  
• US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) handles immigration enforcement at the borders and admits aliens into the US in J-1 Exchange Visitor status.
  
• Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) are responsible for adjudicating immigration benefits.
  

Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors

Organizations and educational institutions, like OSU, that have applied for and received designation from DOS to conduct an Exchange Visitor Program.

Responsible Officers (RO) and Alternate Responsible Officers (ARO) work in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) system, issue DS-2019 forms, and monitor the Exchange Visitor program.

OSU has obtained specific authorization from the Department of State to invite international exchange visitors in the program categories of Bachelor’s Degree Student, Master’s Degree Student, Doctorate Degree Student, Non-Degree Student, Professor, Research Scholar and Short-Term Scholar. As participants in these program categories, foreign students, professors and research scholars are able to engage in study, research and scholarly activities that meet the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program eligibility. An exchange visitor’s activities must be clearly described by the University department issuing the invitation. Exchange visitors may be temporarily employed by OSU as long as their primary activities meet the J-1 Exchange Visitor program criteria. However, the J-1 program is an exchange program and cannot be used for general employment purposes.