US Immigration Form
Form DS-2019 — Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
Form DS-2019 is not a form you fill out and mail to a government agency. It is a certificate issued by a designated program sponsor — a US university, research institution, hospital, or cultural organization that has been authorized by the Department of State to administer exchange visitor programs. The DS-2019 certifies that you have been accepted into a legitimate exchange program and that the sponsor has the resources and structure to support your participation.
Every J-1 exchange visitor receives a DS-2019 before applying for a J-1 visa at a US consulate. The document is also what you present to the Customs and Border Protection officer when you enter the United States. Once you are in the country, your program sponsor updates your DS-2019 whenever your program end date changes, when you transfer to a different sponsor, or when you need a travel signature for re-entry after international travel.
Unlike forms filed with USCIS, the DS-2019 is not fee-based. The program sponsor issues it as part of their sponsorship duties. However, sponsors may charge program fees, administrative fees, or insurance fees that are separate from the visa application fee paid to the Department of State. This guide explains what Form DS-2019 is, who issues it, what information it contains, and the most common mistakes exchange visitors make.
Who files this form
Form DS-2019 is not filed by the exchange visitor. It is issued by the program sponsor's Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer after the visitor has been accepted into a designated exchange program. The sponsor enters the visitor's information into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System and generates the DS-2019 from the system. The visitor then uses the DS-2019 to apply for a J-1 visa at a US consulate.
After the visitor enters the United States, the Responsible Officer is responsible for maintaining the accuracy of the DS-2019. Any change to the visitor's program, funding, or personal information must be reported to the Responsible Officer, who updates SEVIS and issues a new DS-2019 if necessary. The visitor does not file anything with USCIS to update their DS-2019 — the sponsor does this through SEVIS.
What this form is for
The purpose of Form DS-2019 is to certify that a nonimmigrant has been accepted into a bona fide exchange visitor program administered by a Department of State-designated sponsor. The document serves as the foundation for the visitor's J-1 visa application, entry into the United States, and maintenance of lawful J-1 status throughout their program.
The DS-2019 also governs specific permissions and restrictions. The program start and end dates on the DS-2019 define the boundaries of the visitor's authorized stay. The category code on the form determines what type of exchange program the visitor is participating in — for example, student, research scholar, professor, intern, or trainee. The funding section documents how the visitor's expenses will be covered. And the form must be endorsed by the Responsible Officer before the visitor travels outside the United States and seeks re-entry.
Key sections
- Box 1 — Name of program sponsor and sponsor number
- Box 2 — Name of exchange visitor and date of birth
- Box 3 — Exchange visitor category: student, research scholar, professor, intern, trainee, etc.
- Box 4 — Program start and end dates
- Box 5 — Funding sources: personal, government, institutional, or other
- Box 7 — Travel validation: Responsible Officer endorsement for re-entry
Common mistakes
- Letting the program end date pass without requesting an extension from the Responsible Officer
- Traveling without a valid travel signature from the Responsible Officer — the signature is valid for 12 months
- Assuming the DS-2019 expiration date is the same as the J-1 visa expiration date — they are independent
- Failing to report a change of funding source or program objective to the Responsible Officer promptly
- Not understanding that some J-1 categories require a two-year home residency requirement after program completion
- Losing the original DS-2019 and not requesting a replacement from the sponsor before travel
Official sources
Always verify the current form edition, fee, and instructions on the government site before filing. This guide is educational and not a substitute for your DSO or a licensed attorney.
Procedural deep-dives
For filing strategy, timing, and evidence standards, use these legal owners.
- US student visas hub
F-1, CPT, OPT, and STEM OPT procedural guides that use these forms.
- OPT & STEM OPT complete guide
How I-765 and I-983 fit the post-completion work path.
- I-765 OPT common mistakes
Category codes, timing, and evidence that trigger rejections.
- F-1 document checklist 2026
Evidence pack around I-20, DS-160, and the consular interview.
- STEM OPT self-employment and startup
When Form I-983 and E-Verify rules constrain founder roles.
- SEVIS termination and reinstatement
What happens when status records break after form mistakes.
Related guides
Frequently asked questions
- How long is my DS-2019 valid?
- Your DS-2019 is valid for the duration of your exchange program as stated in Box 4. If you need more time to complete your program objectives, you must request an extension from your Responsible Officer before the current end date. Extensions are granted at the sponsor's discretion and must be entered into SEVIS.
- Can I work while on a J-1 visa?
- Employment on a J-1 visa is restricted and category-specific. Some categories allow on-campus or academic training employment with sponsor authorization. Off-campus employment generally requires written approval from the Responsible Officer. Working without authorization is a violation of J-1 status and can result in program termination.
- What is the two-year home residency requirement?
- Some J-1 exchange visitors are subject to a requirement that they return to their home country for two years after completing their program before they can apply for certain US visas or permanent residence. This applies to visitors whose program is funded by their home government, visitors in certain medical training programs, and visitors whose skills are on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for their home country. The requirement is noted on your DS-2019.
- Can I transfer to a different J-1 sponsor?
- Yes, but the transfer must be initiated by the new sponsor and approved by the current sponsor. Both sponsors must agree to the transfer, and the new sponsor must issue a new DS-2019. You cannot transfer to a different sponsor without completing the SEVIS transfer process.
- What if I lose my DS-2019?
- Contact your program sponsor immediately. The Responsible Officer can issue a replacement DS-2019 from SEVIS. If you are outside the United States, the sponsor may need to mail the replacement to you. Plan ahead — do not wait until the day before travel to request a replacement.