The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created by the U.S. Department of State to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. Participants approved to participate in the program will enter the U.S. as an Exchange Visitor on a J-1 visa. For more information about the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program go to the links below.
A&M-Commerce academic departments interested in hosting an individual as a J-1 Exchange Visitor will need to complete the Visiting Scholar Request Form below. Please note this form is submitted the to Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.
The ISSS can only issue the necessary documents for a J-1 Exchange Visitor once the individual has been approved by the Office of the Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs. Upon approval the ISSS will initiate the process for the J-1 Exchange Visitor documents (DS-2019). Please see the next section for the ISSS process to issue the Form DS-2019.
The Form DS-2019 or "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status" is the basic document used in the administration of the exchange visitor program. The Office of International Programs (OIP) will issue the Form DS-2019 for J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents once the J-1 has been approved by the Office of Sponsored Programs and OIP has received all forms and documents listed below:
To mail the DS-2019 the host professor/department may provide the ISSS with a billing account to express mail the Ds-2019. Otherwise, the J-1 Exchange Visitor may set-up express mail at their expense at Mailing Documents.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor must report to the ISSS for check-in and orientation no later than 30 days from the start date for their DS-2019. It is very important that the J-1 Exchange Visitor report any possible delay in reporting to the ISSS immediately.
Under 22 CFR 62.10(a)(2) the U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 Exchange Visitors to:
"possesses sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis. A sponsor must verify an applicant’s English language proficiency through a recognized English language test, by signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school, or through a documented interview conducted by the sponsor either in-person or by videoconferencing, or by telephone if videoconferencing is not a viable option."
To ensure compliance with the U.S. Department of State regulations all host professors/academic departments must complete the English Language Proficiency Form below and submit this form to the ISSS. This form is required before we can initiate the process for the J-1 documents. Email this form to Intl.Stu@tamuc.edu or you may bring the completed form to the ISSS in Halladay 104.
All J-1 Exchange Visitors and any J-2 dependents are required by the US Department of State to carry medical insurance and evacuation/repatriation for the duration of the J-1's program at Texas A&M University.
Minimum insurance coverage requirements include:
The policy must be backed by either the full faith and credit of your home country government OR the company providing the insurance must meet minimum rating requirements established by the U.S. Department of State (an A.M. Best rating of “A-“ or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of “A-1” or above, a Standard & Poor’s Claims-paying Ability rating of “A-“ or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of “B+” or above).
Health insurance may be available to you in the following ways:
It is the responsibility of the J-1 Exchange Visitor to ensure that they will be properly insured while in the U.S. by contacting the health insurance company and making sure that the policy/plan meets the federal guidelines. Read the policy information carefully and don't be afraid to ask questions before you buy.
Willful failure to carry insurance is considered to be a violation of the Exchange Visitor Program and will result in immediate termination of the J-1's participation in the program. Texas A&M University-Commerce will report any violation to the Department of Homeland Security and the J-1 Exchange Visitor and any J-2 dependents will be required to leave the U.S.
The ISSS has created a guidebook below for all J-1 Exchange Visitors. The guidebook provides comprehensive information about the DS-2019, visa application process, navigating through U.S. customs, as well as important pre-arrival and arrival information and additional information about the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
At the check-in the J-1 will be required to provide the following:
To request a change to this page or to request access to make changes yourself, email helpdesk@tamuc.edu.