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- Receive permission to take a leave of absence from your home institution
- Meet the Funding Requirement
- Meet the English Proficiency Requirement
- Receive official academic appointment from a UW Tacoma academic unit
- Download and complete Part I of the J-1 Visa Intake Form
- Read the J-1 Reference Guide
- Please disregard the “Arrival in Seattle” section
- After receiving DS 2019, make I-901 Fee Payment
- The fee is $180
- Print out a copy of receipt.
- Apply for J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
- Complete an online DS-160: Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application- a sample can be viewed here
- Non-immigrant visa application processing fee is $160
- Schedule an interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate
- Research and Purchase Health Insurance which meets the Health Insurance Requirement
- Make travel arrangements
- The Exchange Visitor must arrive in the US on or before, but not more than 30 days before, the start date listed in item 3 of the DS-2019.
- As soon as arriving to the U.S., email acadvisa@uw.edu to request a Mandatory Remote J-1 Check-in and Validation. Prepare the following documents in advance:
- I-94 record (to download I-94, please visit this page)
- DS 2019 form
- Passport
- Insurance Compliance Statement (download)
- Prepare same documents for dependents if applicable.
- Schedule an appointment (via Zoom or in-person) with Akane Yamaguchi, Director of International Students and Scholar Services for UW Tacoma orientation
- Akane is an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 Exchange Program and can provide Travel Endorsement for DS 2019
- Meet the Culture Exchange Requirement
- Take the Exit Survey
