Inviting a J Scholar to Clemson University

International Services (IS) recommends that departments begin the invitation process no later than 3 months before the anticipated program start date of the visit. This allows for the incoming Exchange Visitor (EV) to receive their documents, apply for and receive their visa, and make the necessary preparations to come to the U.S. If the department or incoming EV have any questions about the process, please contact International Services, is@clemson.edu or 864-656-3614. Please see below for guidance and steps to invite a J-1 Exchange Visitor to campus.

DS-2019 Application Process

  • The department selects and invites an EV to participate in research/courses/internship at Clemson University.
  • The department and EV work together to complete the documents outlined here and submit all required documents to the office of International Services (IS). Please email is@clemson.edu to obtain a Box Secure link that you can use to upload all required documents. Please only submit the application once all sections have been completed and documents have been gathered.
  • Export Control reviews the application to confirm if licenses are required. The processing time for this review can vary depending on the position and applicant.
  • An IS advisor reviews the application and determines whether the EV is eligible for the DS-2019. If any documents and/or information are missing, the advisor will follow up with the department and/or EV. If the IS advisor has any additional recommendations- different J category, later program start date, etc., they will communicate this with the department/EV at this time.
  • The DS-2019 Form is processed by the IS office within 5 business days of Export Control’s approval. The EV and department will receive email notification of the issuance. If the EV is not funded by Clemson, the hosting department will be required to work with Human Resources to complete the Affiliate process. This may include additional costs associated with a background check.
  • The EV will receive the DS-2019 electronically along with immigration advisory materials in a welcome packet. The EV will print and sign the DS-2019 for official processing such as visa application, entering the U.S. etc.
  • The EV then schedules a visa appointment and follows the instructions provided in the welcome packet by the IS office.
  • The EV receives their visa and makes arrangements to arrive in the U.S. by their expected program start-date. If the EV will arrive more than 15 days after the program start date listed on the DS-2019 Form, IS advises that the department and EV defer the program start date to a later date. IS will send reminders to the EV and hosting supervisor through the email addresses listed on the IS- 200 form. It is extremely important that if the email address changes for the EV, they communicate the change with our office so that we can update the email address on file.
  • The EV arrives in the U.S. no more than 30 days before the DS-2019 start-date and completes the check-in process with the IS office within 30 days of the program start date on the DS-2019 Form. This changes the EV’s SEVIS status from Initial to Active and is required to begin their program and any employment at Clemson University. If check-in requirements are not met at least 30 days after the program start date, the J-1 SEVIS record will automatically change to Invalid status and the EV will be in violation of their status. This means the EV is unable to participate in research, apply for an SSN, to be paid, etc. The EV will most likely not have building access or CU credentials during this time.
  • Once the check-in is complete and the SEVIS record has been activated, the EV is able to apply for an SSN and then proceed with Clemson’s onboarding process, if paid by the University.