These instructions are for scholars/professors/researchers coming to Florida Gulf Coast University
who have received the  DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility:

 Understanding Your DS-2019 and J-Exchange Program

 Obtaining a J Visa and Entering the United States

 Entering the United States

 J-1 Visiting Scholar Check In

 Transferring from One J-1 Program to Another Within the United States

 Social Security Rules

 Two-Year Home Residency Rule

 Orientation

Understanding your DS-2019 and J - Exchange Program

General Information

The J visa is a nonimmigrant visa, and participants in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program are expected to return to their home countries when they complete their programs. Entry into the United States as a participant in the Exchange Visitor Program is granted with the understanding that participants will complete the objectives of a single program category. The minimum duration of any exchange program is three weeks, except for participants in the Short Term Scholar category or those sponsored by the Federal Government. The maximum duration varies by category.

What is the DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility?

The DS-2019 form confirms your date of eligibility for entry and departure

REMEMBER: The U.S. government monitors all travel and entry into the U.S., so it is important that you follow all U.S. immigration procedures accordingly.

The Form DS-2019 identifies:

·          The participant, in block 1.

·          The sponsor: Name, signature and telephone number/address of the sponsor's responsible officer, in blocks 2 and block 7.

·          A brief description of the program activity to be completed by the participant in block 2.

·          The 'begin' and 'end' dates of the program indicated in block 3.

·          The program category in block 4.

·          A breakout of the total estimated financial support to be provided to the participant during his or her program provided in block 5.

The time period defined on the Form DS-2019 may not reflect the maximum program duration permitted for a specific category; in such cases, the participant's program may be extended, as allowed by program regulations and at the discretion of the responsible officer. Program extensions beyond the maximum duration, if allowed for a program category, must be requested by the responsible officer and approved by the Department of State. Program regulations of some categories permit the entry of the participant's dependents under the J-2 visa at the sponsor's discretion. Dependents are defined as the participant's spouse and minor unmarried children -- unmarried children under the age 21. Participants should contact their sponsors for additional information and to determine if their dependents may accompany them to the United States for the duration of their programs.

Obtaining a J Visa and Entering the United States

Enclosed is a controlled U.S. government document, Form DS-2019 or "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status." It is very important that you read the entire form thoroughly, understand the terms of the J-1 visa, and sign the bottom of page one.

To apply for the J-1 visa, present the DS-2019, your valid passport, proof of payment of the $100 SEVIS fee, and verification of financial support to the United States embassy or consulate. You can access the visa application procedures for particular US Embassies and Consulates at the Department of State Web site: http://www.state.gov/. If applying for a visa, you will need to pay for the SEVIS fee three days prior to your appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate. You can pay the SEVIS fee with a credit card at: www.fmjfee.com. Print out the receipt and take it with you when you apply for the visa. If your spouse or unmarried children (under age 21) are accompanying you to the U.S. they may apply for J-2 visas at the same time. Proof of relationship may be required. Dependents do not need to pay for the SEVIS fee. Proof of relationship may be required. Upon approval of your visa application, the consular officer should return the DS-2019 to you along with your passport containing your J-1 visa.

My Visa Has Been Issued- When Can I Travel to the U.S.?

• Be advised of the Department of Homeland Security regulation which requires that all J exchange visitors, and J-2 spouse and dependents enter the U.S. 30 days or less in advance of the applicant's program start date as shown on the Form DS-2019. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S. Immigration officers may deny you entry into the United States at your expense if you attempt to enter more that 30 days before your program start date. The 30-day limitation does not apply to current exchange participants who are returning to continue with their exchange program.
• If you want an earlier entry in the U.S. (more than 30 days prior to the course start date), you must qualify for, and obtain a visitor visa, as explained below; however, this is strongly discouraged.
• If you have a special circumstance that deems it necessary for you to arrive in the U.S. earlier than 30 days of your program start, or on a visitor's visa, please contact the Responsible Officers at Florida Gulf Coast University to determine if the U.S. Immigration regulations can support this.

Applicants should be aware that a visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. The visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to a port-of-entry in the United States, such as an international airport, a seaport or a land border crossing, and request permission to enter the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection officer will permit or deny admission to the United States, and determine your length of stay in the U.S., on any particular visit. Exchange visitors must have their Form DS-2019 in their possession each time they enter the United States. Upon arrival, you will be enrolled in the US-VISIT entry-exit program. Some travelers will also need to comply with Special Registration upon their entry into the U.S. and departure. If you are allowed to enter, the U.S. immigration official authorizes the traveler's admission to the U.S. At that time, Form I-94, Record of Arrival-Departure, which notes the length of stay permitted, is validated by the immigration official. Form I-94, which documents your authorized stay in the U.S., is very important to keep in your passport.

At the port of entry into the U.S., you will need to present your passport, verification of support, and form DS-2019 to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. The officer will keep the DS-2019 marked "For Data Entry Purposes." The officer will return the DS-2019 along with an I-94 Arrival/Departure Record card and your passport. The officer indicates that you have entered the country legally by stamping all three documents. This is usually evidenced by a stamp of the date of entry, the visa status, and the designation "D/S" on the DS-2019, the upper right corner of the I-94, and on the passport page opposite your visa stamp in the passport. These three documents are very important to you during your stay in the U.S. and should be kept in a safe places at all times. They are proof of your legal J-1 status and you will need them for such purposes as extending your permission to stay in the U.S., re-entry to this country after temporary trips abroad, applying for a Social Security card, and obtaining a Florida driver's license.

US-Visit http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/content_multi_image/content_multi_image_0006.xml

Special Registration http://www.ice.gov/graphics/specialregistration/index.htm

Admissions/Entry http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/

Canadians Exchange Visitors:
Canadian nationals entering the United States as J-1 exchange visitors do not need to apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate before entering the U.S. At the pre-flight inspection area, proof of entry or border crossing, the Canadian national need only present a document verifying their Canadian citizenship and form DS-2019.

All J-1 visitors must report to the Office of International Services (ISO) upon arrival. Failing to report to ISO will result in your being out of status. When you come to ISO, please bring your passport, DS-2019 form, and I-94 card.

J-1 Visiting Scholar Check In

J-1 Visiting Scholars must check in with the International Services Office within 20 days of their program start date. This includes all J-1 scholars (paid or unpaid by the university). If the SEVIS record is not activated within 30 days of the program start date, the Scholar is out of status and must leave the country. The start date is found on the form DS-2019.

If the Scholar is unable to make the arrival date listed on the DS-2019, the host department must contact the International Office so that the entry date can be deferred in the SEVIS system. If this is not done, when the Scholar attempts to check in beyond the 30 day grace period, the International Office will not be able to activate the record in SEVIS. It is, therefore, critical for the Scholar to communicate with their host department and the International Office to confirm the arrival date.

J-1 Visiting Scholars must report to the International Services Office Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Upon check in, the Scholar should present their passport, visa, I-94, proof of health insurance and the U.S. address where they are staying. The address must be for a residence. It cannot be a P.O. Box or an office address. It can be a "care of" address.

Transferring from One J-1 Program to Another Within the United States

If you will be traveling outside the United States between programs:
Use the FGCU issued DS-2019 form, along with your valid J-1 visa in your passport to re-enter the U.S. in J-1 status. If your J-1 visa has expired, you must obtain a new and valid J-1 visa from the closest U.S. embassy or consulate. The change of program will be noted at the port of entry.

If you will NOT be traveling outside of the United States between programs:
Within the 30 days before completion date of your exchange visitor program at your current university, you must consult with the Responsible Officer of your current program in order to be released you from their program. You will be able to pick up the completed DS-2019 from Florida Gulf Coast University upon arrival in Fort Myers from the Office of International Services.

Social Security Rules

If you are going to be paid by Florida Gulf Coast University, it is necessary for you to apply for a social security number once in the United States. Please plan to arrive in the U. S. at least ten business days prior to your employment effective date to successfully accomplish the social security application process. Please take your passport and all documents issued to you by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services with you when you visit the Social Security Office. At the time you apply, please obtain a receipt for your SSN application. You will need this receipt in order to complete your employment paperwork on your first day of employment.

Social Security

All students need a social security number in order to be paid for work done in the U.S. You must wait 10 working days (after arriving to the U.S.) before you apply for a Social Security Number.

You must apply in person at the Social Security office. In order to apply for a Social Security card, you need the following documentation:

 F-1 student visa holders: a letter from your employer stating that you have received an offer of employment, on-campus work authorization letter from ISO, your passport, I-94, and I-20 to present to the Social Security office.
 J-1 student visa holders: authorization letter from ISO, your passport, I-94, and DS-2019 to present to the Social Security office.
 J-1 scholar visa holders: passport, I-94, Invitation letter from your department, and your DS-2019 to present to the Social Security office.

To download an online application form (Form SS-5), click here

Where to Apply in Lee County:

Address: Ft. Myers District Office
10100 Deer Run Farms Road
Ft Myers, FL 33912
Tel: (239) 931-0066

Where to Apply in Collier County:

Address: Naples Branch Office
3174 East Tamiami Trail
Naples, FL 34112
Tel: (239) 530-3362

In Fort Myers, the SSN office is located facing Colonial Boulevard between Metro Parkway and I-75. From FGCU, drive North on I-75, take the Colonial Exit, turn west and the Social Security Building is located right next to Large McGregor Baptist Church.

Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30am - 3:30pm

Tel: 239-931-0066 for automated information Toll free: 1-800-772-1213

Please note: The social security card will be mailed to you in approximately 2-6 weeks at the address that you put on the application.

Florida Classified Driver Licenses

Offices in Lee County

Driver License Offices
Driver licenses, driving tests and ID Cards

Offices in Collier County

Driver License Offices
Driver licenses, driving tests and ID Cards

*Licensing agent (County Tax Collector) - for limited driver license services and vehicle registration, tag and title services at one location. ($5.25 convenience fee added to driver license service fees.)

Income Tax Resources

General Information and Frequently Asked Questions for F-1 and J-1 status:
 http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/businesses/small/international/article/0,,id=96431,00.html
 http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/faqs/faq13-6.html

Where to find forms:
 Federal Income Tax Forms: http://www.irs.ustreas.gov/faqs/faq13-6.html
 Florida residents are not subject to State Income tax. Tax forms are also available in the FGCU Library.

Two-Year Home Residency Rule

Some, but not all, exchange visitors are subject to this requirement. Through this provision, the Department of State helps ensure that your home country benefits from your educational and cultural exchange activity upon your return from the U.S. If you are subject to this requirement, you will not be able to change from J-1 status while in the U.S. You will not be eligible for an H1-B visa, L visa, or immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate until you have physically resided in your country of residency for two years. For the terms of the requirement, please review our DS-2019 form. If you have any questions about the two year home residency requirement, including whether or not you are subject to it, please ask the U.S. Consular officer when you apply for your visa, or ask our office when you arrive.

Orientation

The Office of International Services offers a mandatory scholar orientation program. Upon arrival at the Florida Gulf Coast University, when you report to the International Services Office (ISO), an orientation will be scheduled for you. Note that this orientation is separate and different than the new employee orientation that some exchange visitors will attend at the Office of Human Resources. The Office of International Services number is 239-590-7925. When you come for the orientation, please bring your passport, DS-2019 form, I-94 card and evidence of health insurance.