You, as a J-1 exchange visitor, do not request a DS-2019. Depending upon your category, either your academic department, the Kennedy Center or Graduate Studies will request a DS-2019 for you which will be mailed to you with more information.
You should keep your immigration documents current, secure and accessible.
Your government Form DS-2019, issued through BYU, is a certificate of eligibility
- provided initially for you to apply for a J visa or to change your lawful status,
- but it functions as a record of J lawful status throughout your stay in the U.S. and must be valid at all times.
- Do not let it expire if you still plan to continue your program.
Contents
- Page 1:
- Current information on your
- school and program
- program expiration date
- any dependents here in the U.S.
- financial requirements and resources
- Your signature signifying that you have read and certify the information
- Lines for an endorsement by a Designated School Official (DSO) affirming that the information is correct for the purpose of re-entering the U.S.
- Any notations by a DHS official
- Current information on your
- Page 2: Instructions which should be followed to maintain your status
You should keep all of your original DS-2019s even after a new one has been issued to reflect updated information or transfer of schools. If you lose your current DS-2019, request a replacement from International Student Services.