J-1 Exchange Visitor: Program Information
Congratulations for being selected to participate in the J Exchange Visitor Program at the University of Florida.
- DS-2019: Your DS-2019 must be presented to the consulate when applying for your J-1 visa. Be sure to get the form back from the consulate (the officer may place this form in a sealed envelope in your passport).The DS-2019 must also be presented to the immigration officer at the port of entry. You are required to complete an application for an I-94 card, which is a record of your arrival. If you are changing to J status in the United States you must file a Form I-539 to request a change of status. PLEASE check in with FSS immediately upon approval of your change of status.
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ARRIVAL: You may arrive in the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the start date on your DS-2019; however you must arrive no later than 30 days after your start date.
- I-901 SEVIS FEE: Visit this web site for information on how to pay the SEVIS fee online: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/.
To pay the SEVIS fee, go to http://www.fmjfee.com
- J-2 DEPENDENTS: Please notify the International Center if, (1) your dependents will not arrive with you; (2) your dependents will arrive at a later date; or (3) your dependents will not accompany you to the United States.
J-2 dependents arriving in the US must present health insurance to FSS that meets J-1 health insurance requirements.
- ONLINE ORIENTATION: As a J program sponsor, the University of Florida is required to provide an orientation session to all J-1 exchange visitors. The orientation presentation should be viewed before you arrive in the United States. During your check-in process at UF, you will be required to verify that you have viewed the orientation presentation.
To access the Exchange Visitor Orientation Presentation, please click here.
- HEALTH INSURANCE: As an exchange visitor, you must maintain the insurance coverage that is required by federal regulations throughout the duration of the applicable J program. FSS encourages you to purchase one of the pre-approved health insurance plans prior to arriving at UF. For more information about health insurance, please click here.
If you currently have health insurance and it is NOT from one of the pre-approved companies, you must submit the Health Insurance Verification Form that has been completed, signed, and stamped by the insurance company.
If you do not have the health insurance verification form from the company, you must have a certificate listing all coverage in English with amounts posted in US dollars. You are required to forward a copy of this certificate to scholarinsurance@ufic.ufl.edu prior to your arrival at UF for FSS approval. You will be contacted via email after the insurance certificate has been reviewed.
IMPORTANT: If the insurance documentation does not meet the verification requirements, your SEVIS record will not be validated and you will not be allowed to complete the check in process with FSS until you provide proper proof of insurance.
- CHECK-IN: All J scholars must complete the check-in process in the International Center immediately after arriving in the U.S. The International Center’s business hours are Monday-Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Your SEVIS record will not be validated until after the required insurance coverage for you and your dependents (if applicable) has been verified, and you complete the check-in process. Scholars whose site of activity is away from the main campus, must fax copies of these documents to 352-392-6782 upon arrival.
New scholar check-in is conducted on a walk in basis, if you have all required documents:- Faculty and Scholar Registration Form: this form must be signed on both sides.
- bio-metrics page of passport,
- visa,
- DS-2019,
- front and back of I-94 card and,
- proof of insurance for you and your dependents.
- SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER (SS#):You must check in with the International Center to be validated in the government data base before you visit the Social Security Office.
- Do not apply for a SS# until 10 days after you arrive in the U.S. Once you receive your receipt from the Social Security Office, please take a copy to your department.
- You are not eligible for a SS# unless you are earning income from the University of Florida (an employer in the U.S.).
- DHS website:
Contains information regarding entering and exiting the United States: - Informative Websites and Links:
Campus Map: http://campusmap.ufl.edu/
Cox Communications (cable TV, internet, telephone): http://cox.com
Housing http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/handbook5.htm
Housing Listings: http://gainesvillerent.com/
Immigration Links http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/issresources/immigration.htm
International Organization http://grove.ufl.edu/%7evisa/
NSEERS (National Security Entry-Exit Registration System) http://www.ice.gov/pi/specialregistration/
Social Security Administration http://www.ssa.gov/ssnumber/
Taxes http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/taxes.htm
Telephone Service: AT&T http://www.att.com
Travel: I-901 form information www.fmjfee.com
Travel: US-Visit www.dhs.gov/us-visit
Travel: UFIC Information http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/travelj1visitor.htm
UF Off-campus Resources: http://www.dso.ufl.edu/offcampus/
UF Web Listings http://www.ufl.edu/websites/
UFIC Resources: http://www.ufic.ufl.edu/issresources/links.htm
Utilities: Gainesville Regional Utilities http://www.gru.com/
University of Florida Employee Resources: https://my.ufl.edu/ps/signon.html (See Local interest Link - GatorLink access required)
We look forward to welcoming you and your dependents
to the University of Florida.