J-1: Request DS-2019
Information here is for students or scholars who plan to apply for a J-1 visa to participate in an exchange program.
If you are a student who intends to apply for an F-1 visa, please go to our webpage for Prospective and New F-1 Students.
If you are a student who intends to apply for an F-1 visa, please go to our webpage for Prospective and New F-1 Students.
Create DS-2019 Processing Time
Once we receive all required documents, the processing time for a DS-2019 typically takes 7-10 business days. If we have questions or need more information, you will be contacted by a staff member.
New Student or Scholar: DS-2019
Students or scholars planning to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program (BridgeUSA) are required to obtain a Form DS-2019, "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant)" from the sponsor before applying for an J-1 visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate office.
To start a request for a DS-2019, the student or scholar must first receive an invitation letter from an authorized department within Marymount University. Once the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) is notified by the department and the invitation is confirmed, ISSS will send an email to the student or scholar with instructions for how to access the ISSS portal. Within the ISSS portal, the student or scholar will answer questions and upload required documents.
When requesting a DS-2019 from Marymount University, the student will need to submit the following documents:
- Copy of passport (must be valid at least 6 months beyond your planned program completion date)
- Financial support documentation (Proof of Funding must meet requirements specified)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of qualifying health insurance valid in the U.S. for the dates of the exchange program (see next section below)
J-1 visa holders must have insurance valid and in effect for the entire time period that they are in the Marymount University program. Your insurance coverage must be effective at least from the date that your J-1 program begins, per your DS-2019, and you must keep coverage for the duration of your program in order to maintain your legal status during your period of stay. If you will be a student on an exchange visitor program at Marymount for one semester or more, you may be eligible to enroll in Marymount's student health insurance.
In accordance with U.S. government requirements, J-1 (and any dependents on J-2) students or scholars must have medical insurance that includes at least the following:
| Requirement | Amount in US$ | Note |
| Medical benefits | $100,000 | Deductible not to exceed $500 |
| Repatriation of remains | $25,000 | In event of death |
| Medical evacuation | $50,000 | To home country |
Additional requirements of the insurance policy:
-
Must be underwritten by an insurance corporation with:
-
A.M Best rating of "A-" or above or
-
Insurance Solvency International, Ltd (ISI) rating of "A-1" or above or
-
Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability of "A-" or above or
-
Weiss Research, Inc. rating of "B+" or above
-
-
OR the policy must be backed by the full faith and credit of the government of your home country.
For scholars or students who may need to purchase insurance to meet U.S. government requirements, the following examples are provided for informational purposes (Marymount does not endorse or recommend any specific company):