Understanding the DS-2019

SEVIS ID

Your SEVIS ID number is printed at the top right of the form and has the format “N0xxxxxxxxx“. It is a unique identifier that matches your SEVIS database record. You will need this SEVIS ID when paying your SEVIS Fee and completing your DS-160 Visa Application.

Blank Field (this information does not appear on the DS-2019): The box below the SEVIS ID Number is purposefully blank. In past versions, this box included a barcode, but it was removed by the Student Exchange Visitor Program.

SECTION 1: PERSONAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

You should make sure that your personal and biographical information are correct.

• Your surname and given name should match your name as printed in your passport (these will match the naming as it is listed in the Machine Readable Zone at the bottom of the passport, using the SEVIS Naming Standards).

• Your country of birth, city of birth, country of citizenship, country of permanent residence, and date of birth should be correct

“Purpose of This Form” Reasons:

• The Purpose of this Form issuance reason for new students and scholars will usually be “Begin New Program” for your first DS-2019.

• Later, if your DS-2019 is updated with new information, such as changed biographic details, an extension, or financial update, the Purpose of this Form will note those reasons for changes.

• There may be other reasons indicated – contact International Student & Scholar Services if you have any questions.

SECTION 2: PROGRAM SPONSOR INFORMATION

The program sponsor information section indicates your school’s name, reporting address, the name of the international student advisor (“Responsible Office or Alternate Responsible Officer”) who issued the DS-2019, and The University of Alabama’s Program Number: P-1-03854.

You will need UA’s Program Number, when paying your SEVIS Fee and completing your DS-160 Visa Application.

Participating Program Official Description:

• This section simply lists all of the J-1 visa categories for which The University of Alabama is approved to issue DS-2019s. Your specific visa category will be listed in Section 4.

“Purpose of This Form” Reasons:

• The Purpose of this Form issuance reason for new students and scholars will usually be “Begin New Program” for your first DS-2019.

• Later, if your DS-2019 is updated with new information, such as changed biographic details, an extension, or financial update, the Purpose of this Form will note those reasons for changes.

• There may be other reasons indicated – contact International Student & Scholar Services if you have any questions.

SECTION 3: PROGRAM START/END DATE INFORMATION

The Form Covers Period section includes your program start and end dates – the program start and end dates reflect the anticipated start to your program (this is the report date, which is generally set 1 week before the first day of classes to allow students to attend orientation) and the end date to your program (the last day of your anticipated final semester or term).

• Earliest entry date: You may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the Start Date (From Date) listed in Section 3.

• Length of program dates – It is important to understand your program start and end date information. Every DS-2019 includes an average estimate of the amount of time it takes to complete the program. In general, all UA DS-2019s are issued as follows:

  • bachelor’s degree DS-2019s are issued for 5 years (i.e. 10 semesters)

  • master’s degree DS-2019s are issued for 2 years (i.e. 4 semesters)

  • MFA degree DS-2019s are issued for 4 years (i.e. 8 semesters)

  • doctoral degree DS-2019s are issued for 5 1/2 years (i.e. 11 semesters)

  • non-degree student DS-2019s are issued for either 1- or 2-semesters depending on the exchange agreement

  • scholar DS-2019s are issued based on the agreed contract/hosting length

• 30-Day Grace Period – Once the program End-Date (To Date listed in Section 3) is reached on your DS-2019 and you have finished your program, you have a 30-Day Grace Period to either prepare to depart the U.S. or take other action.  The options available depend on whether you are on a J-1 Student visa category or a J-1 Scholar/Professor visa category. See our section on Grace Periods. Please note that if you complete your program earlier than the End-Date listed on the DS-2019, UA’s ISSS will shorten the DS-2019 to reflect your actual completion date (graduation date or degree/program completion date for students and the final date of service for scholars), and your 30-day grace period will begin from that shortened date.

• Extensions – If you need more time to complete your program requirements, you must submit a request to International Student & Scholar Services for a J-1 Student program extension or J-1 Scholar Extension BEFORE the DS-2019 program End-Date is reached.

• If you complete your program (or stop studying) before the program End-Date, contact International Student & Scholar Services to shorten your J-1 DS-2019 and SEVIS record.

SECTION 4: EXCHANGE VISITOR CATEGORY AND PROGRAM OF STUDY/SUBJECT FIELD CODE INFORMATION

• The Exchange Visitor Category indicates the purpose of your J-1 Exchange Program at UA:
  • For students this will indicate your education level – e.g., bachelor’s, master’s, doctorate, or non-degree for exchange students.
  • For visiting scholars this will indicate your research or other program objectives – Research Scholar, Professor, Short-term Scholar, Specialist, or Student Intern.

• Your Subject/Field Code (e.g. your major or area of research) – The DS-2019 reflects the Subject/Field Code affiliated with the official CIP Codes used by The University of Alabama for its majors (or the closest equivalent for visiting scholars), which may be found on the Office of Institutional Effectiveness site.

SECTION 5: FINANCIALS

The financials section of the DS-2019 includes the total of all financial resources you showed when applying for your DS-2019.

For students, your financial resources can include a combination of personal or family funds, scholarships, fellowships, or other resources.

We outline our current estimate of tuition and fees, living expenses, dependent expenses and other expenses on our Required Funding & Estimated Expenses page.

Scholars must show funding that meets the minimum outlined for J-1 visiting scholars.

You must submit new financial documents if you apply for a DS-2019 extension (see J-1 Student program extension or J-1 Scholar Extension) or J-1 Student reinstatement.

The financial information on a DS-2019 is only a snapshot of funding available to you for your studies and living expenses. Actual expenses may vary from student to student and program to program. However, the information on the DS-2019 should provide a reasonable indication of the likely costs for a full-time student in your program.

SECTIONS 6 & 7: SCHOOL ATTESTATIONS

In the middle of the DS-2019, your international advisor (Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer) will sign the School Attestation section of the form.

SECTION 8: TRANSFER STATEMENT

This section will remain blank unless the SEVIS record is transferred to another Program. When transferred, this section will include the information about the prior program sponsor. It does not need to be signed by the Responsible Office or Alternate Responsible Officer from the other program sponsor.

PRELIMINARY ENDORSEMENT OF CONSULAR OR IMMIGRATION OFFICER

This section is completed by the Visa Officer or Immigration Officer and will indicate their initial determination of whether or not you may be subject to Section 212e, Two-Year Home Residency Requirement.

Not all J-1 or J-2 Exchange Visitors are subject to the 212e.

More information about the 212e Two-Year Home Residency Requirement and what it does and does not do can be found on our J-1 Scholar Page section on 212e.

TRAVEL VALIDATION

The travel validation section (or travel signature section) of the DS-2019 is signed by your international advisor (Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer), usually once a year. By signing the form, the advisor is confirming that you are maintaining valid J-1 status and are eligible to return to The University of Alabama after a trip abroad. When you return, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will look to see that your DS-2019 has been signed by an international advisor.

NOTE FOR NEW J-1 DS-2019s: The travel endorsement section only needs to be signed after you arrive in the U.S. and complete your check-in with UA as a J-1. Only after your first arrival will you need a travel signature for future entry to the U.S. After that point, the travel endorsement confirms your arrival and status as a J-1 exchange visitor in good standing.

Only International Student & Scholar Services staff can sign Form DS-2019 for UA students – do not request travel signatures from your academic advisors or professors / instructors.

• The travel signature should be no more than one year old at the time of your return to the US. You do not need a travel signature if you are not traveling outside the US or if you have completed your program and are simply leaving the U.S. permanently.

• If you are on post-completion Optional Practical Training, the travel signature should be no more than six months old on the date of your return.

STUDENT TRAVEL RESOURCE: To learn more about travel as a J-1 student, refer to the Student Travel Requirements page.

SCHOLAR TRAVEL RESOURCE: To learn more about travel as a J-1 Scholar, refer to the Scholar Travel Requirements page.

EXCHANGE VISITOR CERTIFICATION

At the bottom of page 1 of the DS-2019, you are required to sign the form to indicate your agreement to the terms outlined on page 2 of the DS-2019. You are also required to read the statement in item 2 of page 2 of the DS-2019.