Pre-arrival
Welcome to UCLA!
This page is intended for J-1 scholars who have received their DS-2019. Please refer to the steps below for information on how to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for a J-1 visa (if applicable), enter the United States, and complete the required check-in with your respective UCLA David Geffen School of Medicine Departments.
Steps
Review and Sign your DS-2019
When you receive the email from the VisaAndLicensingOffice@mednet.ucla.edu with the attached Form DS-2019.- Print the Form DS-2019
- Review your form for accuracy.
- Reply to confirm receipt or request revisions.
Read Page Two. You need to be aware of the conditions applicable to individuals in J-1 status, which include the two-year home residence requirement; extension of stay/program transfer; limitation of stay; documentation required for admission or readmission; change of visa status; and insurance.
- Print and sign your form. J-2 dependents who are 14 years and older should sign their own forms. You should sign for younger children.
- Retain your form as you will need the paper DS-2019 for your visa interview and for crossing the border.
- Pay Sevis I-901 Fees
Once you have your DS-2019, you will have the information that you need in order to pay the nonrefundable SEVIS fee in advance of your visa appointment. This fee is required for all J-1 scholars, even those exempt from visa processing. - Visa Fees
You are responsible for paying the various fees required to obtain your visa. Fees are dependent upon visa type and country - please research now so that you are prepared as some countries have much higher fees than others. JPL cannot and does not pay or reimburse for any fees related to obtaining your visa. The fees that you may be required to pay include:- MRV Fee - Visa fee - required for each visa, including separate fees for each dependent
- Visa Issuance Fee/Reciprocity Fee - Varies based on country, visa classification, and validity duration - required for each visa, including separate fees for each dependent
- Visa Application and Appointment
If you are outside the U.S. and do not have a valid J-1 Visa, follow the steps below to apply for a J-1 Visa (Canadian citizens are exempt from this step*):- Fill out the DS-160 Application , pay the MRV (visa application fee), and schedule your appointment with a U.S. Embassy/Consulate. The fee is generally $160, but there may be additional fees depending on the embassy. Instructions are provided on the U.S. Department of State website.
- Take your printed UCLA DS-2019, valid passport, SEVIS fee receipt, MRV (visa application) fee receipt, passport style photos (if applicable), evidence of strong ties to your home country, and financial documents to your visa interview appointment. The following are examples of strong ties: proof of close family ties in your home country; proof of ownership of real property including stocks & investments; proof of guaranteed employment in your country or any other document that supports your intent to return home at the conclusion of your activities in the U.S.
If you intend to apply for J-2 Visas for your spouse or children, you must provide evidence of their full names, relationship to you, residence, nationality, and DS-2019s. Allow enough time to apply for the visa because the issuance of visas to some individuals could take longer due to security clearances. For more information about the visa application process, please visit http://travel.state.gov
Please do not purchase plane tickets until you have received your visa. Visa applicants should never assume their application will be automatically approved.
*Please Note: Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa application requirement, but must pay the SEVIS fee, and present their DS-2019 and SEVIS fee payment receipt at the port of entry to the U.S.