Incoming Exchange Student Info

OBTAINING J-1 EXCHANGE VISA

SEVIS Fee
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal SEVIS Fee is generally a one-time fee and is required of those who are applying for an J-1 visa.  Proof of fee payment must be presented at the visa interview.

SEVIS FEE Payment Guide: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/assets/tutorials/i-901-fee-payment/story.html

How to Complete the I-901 and Pay the SEVIS Fee
Payment of the SEVIS fee may be made by you or by any other individual, either in the United States or abroad, including family or friends. Payment can be made in U.S. dollars by credit card online at http://www.fmjfee.com/.

To complete form I-901, you must enter two types of information:

1. J-1 Visa Applicants need to enter the UA J-1 EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM NUMBER: P-1-03854, and
2. You must enter your SEVIS ID number (e.g. N00*******), which is printed at the top of the DS-2019 form.

Applying for a J-1 Student Visa – The DS-160 and Visa Interview

Once you have received your DS-2019 from The University of Alabama, you may apply for a visa up to 120 days prior to your program start date.

1. First, you should pay the SEVIS Fee as outlined above, which is required of all new J-1 students and must be paid prior to applying for your student visa.
2. Second, you should submit the online visa application form DS-160.  The DS-160 now requires you to input your Social Media history as a standard question.  The question asks for all social media platforms you have used in the past 5 years and the username(s) or handle(s) you have used on those platforms.
   • The U.S. Embassy may ask you to also complete a DS-5535 Form, which is a supplemental questionnaire regarding your travel, employment, and residence history and family. Please note, not every visa applicant will be asked to complete the DS-5535 form.
3. Finally, you should set your visa appointment.  You should plan to apply for your visa stamp at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence. Prior to scheduling your interview, you can check visa appointment waiting times online (Click here, to check Visa Waiting times).

No visa stamp is required for Canadian and Bahamian citizens.  However, Canadians and Bahamian’s must have a valid J-1 DS-2019 to enter the U.S. as exchange students, and they must pay the SEVIS Fee prior to arrival.

Please note that depending on your country of residence and field of study, visa processing times can exceed one month so apply early.  You will need to include the potential for visa delays in your travel plans.

Documentation Required for the Visa Interview
Please refer to the U.S. Department of State Web site: J-1 Students and Exchange Visitors.

You should also consult your U.S. Embassy or Consulate – http://www.usembassy.gov/ to see if there are any additional country-specific visa application requirements.

Visa Interview – Proving Non-Immigrant Intent
J-1 visas are considered non-immigrant visas. Accordingly, during the student visa interview, applicants must establish their non-immigrant intent to the satisfaction of the consular officer.  Non-immigrant intent means that you have binding ties to your home country and have a home which you have no intention of abandoning, and that you will depart the United States when you have completed your studies. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence of non-immigrant intent should take since applicants’ circumstances vary greatly.

10 Points to Remember When Applying for a Non-immigrant VISA 

HOUSING

Exchange students are required to live on-campus. Once admitted to the exchange program, an application for housing must be completed.  The housing application will be accessed here: https://housing.sa.ua.edu/incoming-students/apply.

Incoming Exchange Students have three options for housing on-campus, which are billed at different rates.

Option 1: Dorm-Style Housing – Burke Hall
Burke East and West offer residents a fully furnished room. Most rooms are double-occupancy with community bathrooms, though some suites are available. Burke hall is located near on-campus dining options, Mary B’s and Burke Dining, which are conveniently located on the first floor.

Residents have access to common spaces areas on each floor, the 1st floor living room and laundry room, and community kitchens on the 4th and 5th floor of East and the 2nd floor in West.

Billed at the Burke Hall traditional halls rates.

Students are responsible for providing their own linens, trash receptacles, cookware, eating utensils, and cleaning supplies.

Option 2: Apartment-Style Housing – Bryce Lawn
Bryce Lawn offers students a fully furnished 3 bedroom, 1 1/2 bath apartment equipped with its own private kitchen and washer/dryer. The apartments are located near on-campus dining options like Stewart’s Corner and Fresh Foods.

Billed at the Bryce Lawn apartment rates.

Students are responsible for providing their own trash receptacles, cookware, eating utensils, toilet paper and cleaning supplies.

Option 3: Small House, Multicultural Living Learning Community – The Rotary House
The Multicultural Living Learning Community is a place where students can engage with people and ideas from around the world. The small, co-ed atmosphere fosters an environment where globalism and multicultural communication is practiced through direct interaction. This community is ideal for students  who have a passion for global learning.

This community is paired with the recommended course CIP 200 Introduction to Global and Cultural Perspectives and participation in the Global Tide small group program.

Billed at the Smith Woods small group house rates.

Students should submit a separate application for selection for The Rotary House in addition to the standard housing application.

Students are responsible for providing their own linens, trash receptacles, cookware, eating utensils, and cleaning supplies.

IMMUNIZATIONS

Immunizations are required and must be completed before course registration.

All incoming students, regardless of classification, must have the following vaccinations:

• Meningitis Vaccine – One dose at age 16 or greater
• 2 Measles Containing Vaccines – One must be a MMR vaccination after 1980
• TB Screening – Within one year

Full details and instructions on completing and submitting your immunization forms can be found here: https://cchs.ua.edu/shc/immunization-form/.

HEALTH INSURANCE REQUIREMENT

Health Insurance is required for all international students at The University of Alabama.  Furthermore, as Exchange Students coming on J-1 Visas, the Department of State requires all J visa holders to maintain insurance which meets certain minimum requirements.  ISSS has additional information about the J-1 insurance requirements.

International students enrolled in classes at UA are automatically registered in the school’s insurance policy, unless an insurance waiver is completed at the start of each semester.

UA’s Health Insurance Information can be found on the Student Health Center website and in our Insurance & Medical Care section.

ARRIVAL

J-1 students may enter the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the start date indicated on their DS-2019 (Section 3), but please be aware that airport pick-up and on-campus housing will not be available until just before the start of classes.  So, if you do arrive very early, you will need to arrange for your own transportation and temporary housing.

Pickups from the Birmingham-Shuttlesworth Airport (BHM) are done on the Sunday and Monday prior to the start of classes every semester. Details will be emailed to exchange students prior to the start of the semester.

• General Arrival Information for International Students
• Orientation & Check-in Information