Sponsoring and Extending a J-1 Research or Teaching Appointment
To bring a J-1 Scholar, you will need to apply to our office for a Form DS-2019 (J-1 Certificate of Eligibility) which will be used by the scholar to obtain J-1 status.
Department User Guides
- CUIMC: Compass User Guide
- Morningside/Manhattanville: Overview of SSP (Scholar Sponsorship Portal) and SSP User Guide
Before You Sponsor
The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is used most frequently for Officer of Research appointments (including post-doctoral research positions) and instructional appointments that are not tenure-track.
Submit application 3 months before the start date. This allows time for the scholar to obtain or renew a passport if needed and apply for a visa at a U.S. consulate.
How to Sponsor
Gather the documents
Submit your application
Log in to the Scholar Sponsorship Portal (SSP) with your UNI and password to submit all three parts of your application
This application consists of 3 parts. All 3 parts must be completed before we receive your application. Contact us if you are a department administrator requesting access to the SSP.
Note: In Part 1, your scholar’s name and the name(s) of any institution(s) with which the scholar is affiliated will undergo Visual Compliance Screening (VCS).
- If there is no match, you will be able to proceed in the SSP.
- If there is a match, immediately contact your Designated Reviewer to clear or resolve the match with the Export Control Office. Once resolved, you will be able to proceed in the SSP.
This application consists of three (3) parts. All 3 parts must be completed in order to submit your application.
If you do not already have access to Compass, please complete the Departmental Access Request Form here. Otherwise, proceed to the CUIMC Department Compass User Guide for detailed instructions.
Need more help?
For a description of the process, visit our SSP Overview page. Visit our SSP Department Guide for technical assistance.
We will contact you
Allow up to 10 business days for us to review and process your application. We will notify you by email when the Form DS-2019 is ready.
Notify us if the J-1 departs Columbia earlier than original DS-2019 duration
If a J-1 employee leaves Columbia before their program end date on the DS-2019, we are required to update their J-1 SEVIS record. Please notify the ISSO that serves your campus.
- Morningside/Manhattanville: Inform the scholar adviser assigned to your school/department
- CUIMC: Submit the Termination e-form
Extending a J-1 Research or Teaching Appointment
How to Extend
Gather the documents
Submit your extension application
Log in to the Scholar Sponsorship Portal (SSP) with your UNI and password to submit all three parts of your application.
This application consists of 3 parts. All 3 parts must be completed before we receive your application. Contact us if you are a department administrator requesting access to the SSP.
Need more help?
For a description of the process, visit our SSP Overview page. Visit our SSP Department Guide for technical assistance.
Log in to Compass (Hyperlink)
If you do not already have access to Compass, please complete the Departmental Access Request Form here. Otherwise, proceed to the CUIMC Department Compass User Guide for detailed instructions.
We will contact you
Allow up to 10 business days for us to review and process your application. We will notify you by email when the extended Form DS-2019 is ready.