Pre-Arrival Checklist

Obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa

If you are outside the United States, apply for a J-1 visa stamp at the consular office designated for your location. Check for the materials you need to apply for the visa stamp, such as forms, fees and photos. Applications for J-1 Visas require:

Valid, unexpired passport (valid for at least six months beyond your intended stay)
Form DS-2019
SEVIS fee receipt
Evidence of financial support
Visa fee
Passport-size photograph
Additional forms and/or documents as required by the consulate at which you will apply

If your family members (spouse and children under 21) will be applying for J-2 visa stamps, bring copies of the marriage certificate for your spouse and birth certificates for your children.

Canadian citizens are exempt from the J-1 visa stamp requirements and must carry the documents listed above for entry into the United States.

Additional information about applying for a visa is available on the Department of State website. For more helpful tips, read 10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa.

Pay SEVIS fee

The SEVIS fee, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is intended to defray costs associated with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) administration.

You are required to complete the I-901 form and pay the fee before making an appointment at the U.S. consulate, applying for a change of status or entering the United States. This requirement applies to:

Individuals applying for a J-1 visa stamp at a U.S. consulate
Canadians who are exempt from the visa requirement
Individuals currently in the United States applying for a change of status to J-1
Individuals who are transferring from a U.S. federal government-sponsored J-1 program (e.g. Fulbright)

Payment options

Go to FMJfee.com for instructions on the I-901 form and to pay the fee for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Choose one of the following three methods of payment:

Via the internet: this is the quickest and easiest method but is not available in all countries. Visit FMJfee.com to complete and submit the I-901 form and pay the fee using a credit or debit card.
Via Western Union Quick Pay: go to a Western Union Quick Pay location. Western Union will collect the data needed for the I-901 form and the fee in local currency and transmit both electronically to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). First, read the instructions on the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website. Then print out a copy of the instructions and the sample of the completed Western Union form from the website and bring those two items, along with a copy of your DS-2019, to a Western Union Agent location.
Via mail: print the I-901 form, complete it and mail it, along with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. bank payable in U.S. currency to "I-901 Student/Exchange Visitor Processing Fee." The PDF of the I-901 form includes instructions for paying the fee by mail. Remember that when you provide a check as your method of payment, you are authorizing ICE or its financial representatives to use information from your check to make a one-time electronic transfer from your bank.

Note: If you are having difficulty paying the I-901 fee, another person at a university may pay the fee on your behalf and mail the receipt to you. Visit FMJfee.com, click on "More Information" and click on "How can someone else pay the fee for me?"

Learn more about paying the SEVIS fee.

Familiarize yourself with important immigration documents

DS-2019, also called "Certificate of Eligibility," is required to obtain a J-1 visa at the U.S. consulate and is used to enter the U.S. It indicates your length of stay in the U.S. on your J-1 program, authorizes you to participate in The Ohio State University J-1 Exchange Visitor program and is used for travel outside, and reentry to, the United States. Scholars should keep all copies of DS-2019s issued to them.

Form I-94 is a small white card usually stapled inside your passport upon entry into the United States. This card is also referred to as the arrival/departure card since it is used to record your arrival into and departure from the U.S. It shows your arrival date into the U.S., the port of entry and your immigration status as a J-1 visa holder. In addition, it shows the date by which you must depart the United States, which should be reflected by the letters D/S. D/S stands for "Duration of Status" and your duration of legal status in the U.S. is indicated by the expiration date of your Form DS-2019. If you arrive by air or sea, this information will be stored in an electronic I-94 record and will be available for you to obtain after your arrival on the official I-94 website. If you arrive by land, CBP will issue you a paper form I-94 at the land border port of entry.

A visa is a stamp that a U.S. embassy or consulate affixes to the passport to indicate the kind of nonimmigrant status that a person is seeking. The only time you are required to have a valid visa is when you enter the U.S.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. Your passport should be valid at least six months into the future.

Report to the Office of International Affairs upon arrival

The U.S. government rules allow a limited time to enter the United States based on the start date of your DS-2019 form. You must report in person to Ohio State's Office of International Affairs after you arrive. You can enter up to 30 days before and no more than 20 days after the start date listed on your DS-2019 form.

Notify your host department immediately if there will be a delay in beginning your J-1 program more than 20 days after the start date of your DS-2019 form. Your host department will contact the Office of International Affairs to update your immigration document and SEVIS record. Failure to update your SEVIS record will result in denial of the visa stamp or entry into the United States.

To complete the government reporting requirement, you must attend the Office of International Affairs' check-in and orientation. Office of International Affairs scholar advisors review your immigration documents, collect your residential U.S. address and health insurance coverage information and provide orientation. Register for check-in and orientation.

Note: If you will be located at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) in Wooster, Ohio, schedule your check-in and orientation with their Office of Human Resources.

Obtain health insurance

The U.S. government requires all J-1 scholars and their J-2 dependents to have health insurance coverage that meets certain minimum requirements throughout their entire stay in the United States. If you will be using the Gallagher Plan, you should apply online for this insurance ahead of time to begin on the day of your arrival.

For detailed information regarding insurance, please see the Required Health Insurance section of our website.

Secure housing

There are many housing options in the Columbus area, including a wide variety of rooms, apartments and homes offered by both commercial companies and local landlords. There is also an option of "subletting," a place where you can rent someone's room/home for a set period of time while they are away. This option might be the best if you are only coming for a short period of time and do not want to sign a lease. Below are a few options to help you find a place close to campus, along with websites to explore a wide variety of other options. Please note that this list is not comprehensive and that the listed prices can fluctuate. Prices may or may not include utilities, furniture or more than one bedroom. Visit Living in Columbus.

Things to bring with you

Immigration and travel documents

Passport, valid at least six months into the future
Valid J-1 visa — this visa is obtained through the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest to you
Immigration Document — Form DS-2019

Money

The amount brought with you should be enough to cover at least one month's expenses, plus payments for any purchases such as a car, cellular (mobile) phone, etc.
Types of currency to carry may include:
- Wire transfer
- Traveler's checks
- If available, a credit card accepted in the United States

Important numbers and addresses

Home country address and phone numbers to call in case of emergency
U.S. address and/or phone number of contact within the United States, if available
Host department phone number and address

Travel and arrival tips for the Columbus campus

Use your original DS-2019 (not a copy) when applying for the U.S. visa stamp and at the U.S. port of entry
Have your passport, DS-2019 and financial support documents ready to show at the U.S. port of entry
Taxis are available from the Columbus Airport to Ohio State. The fare will be approximately $20-$25. It is advisable to tip the driver 10-15% of the fare.
There are a number of hotels located close to Ohio State (ask if they offer a special rate for Ohio State)
Information about Columbus events, hotels, restaurants, shopping and more can be found at the Columbus Visitor's Bureau website
Learn more about Ohio State's campus, including directions to campus, campus maps, a building index, parking, history and more

Travel and arrival tips for OARDC

The airports closest to OARDC are located in the following cities in Ohio:
There are a number of hotels located close to Ohio State (ask if they offer a special rate for Ohio State)
Information about the city of Wooster, events, hotels, restaurants, shopping and more can be found on the Wooster Area Chamber of Commerce website

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