DS-2019: What It Is and When You Get It
Table of Contents
What Is the DS-2019?
The Certificate of Eligibility your J-1 sponsor issues. You need it to apply for your visa.
Key Takeaways
- Issued by your J-1 sponsor, not by the embassy.
- For interns and trainees, only after the DS-7002 is signed.
- You need it to apply for your J-1 Visa.
- Full name
- Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Status
- Issued by
- Your J-1 sponsor
- Shows
- Program dates, category, estimated cost
- Needed for
- Your visa application
- Comes after
- DS-7002
What It Is
The DS-2019 confirms that you have been accepted into a J-1 exchange visitor program. Your sponsor issues it, and you use it to apply for your J-1 Visa.
Source: J-1 Visa: About DS-2019 · J-1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants
What Is on the DS-2019
The DS-2019 is generated in SEVIS and completed by your sponsor before you get it. It names you and your sponsor and includes a short description of your program.
- Program start and end date (how long a program may last is explained under Program Extension)
- Category of exchange, for example intern or trainee
- An estimate of the cost of the program
- Your sponsor's name and telephone number, for any questions about the form
Source: J-1 Visa: About DS-2019 · J-1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants · 22 CFR § 62.4: Categories of participant eligibility
When You Get It
For interns and trainees, a sponsor may only issue the DS-2019 once your host company placement is secured and the DS-7002 training plan is complete and signed. Your sponsor must also ensure that you can meet your living costs throughout your stay.
Before that, the sponsor screens you, including a documented interview and a check of your English (see English Requirement). It also screens your Host Company, and some small host companies need a Site Visit.
Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns
How It Works
- 1Eligibility checkStudies, graduation date, field
- 2Host company & training planDS-7002, signed by you, host and sponsor
- 3Sponsor reviewThe sponsor issues the DS-2019
- 4VisaSEVIS fee, visa application, embassy interview
- 5ArrivalCheck in with your sponsor
Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns
FAQs
Who issues the DS-2019?
Only a designated J-1 sponsor, to participants it has screened and selected. The embassy doesn't issue it, and neither does an agency. Sponsors may use third parties such as agents abroad to help run their programs, but stay responsible for them. For interns and trainees, the sponsor issues the DS-2019 only after the DS-7002 is signed.
Source: J-1 Visa: About DS-2019 · 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns
What do I do once I have the DS-2019?
You complete the online visa application DS-160 and book your Visa Interview. What to bring is listed in Documents.
Source: J-1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants
Does the DS-2019 guarantee my J-1 Visa?
No. It lets you apply for the visa at a US embassy or consulate, but the consular officer decides whether you get it, even if you have been accepted into a program. Once issued, the visa can expire before your program ends, see Visa Expiry & Travel.
Source: J-1 Visa: About DS-2019 · J-1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants
What is the difference between the DS-2019 and the DS-7002?
The DS-2019 is your certificate of eligibility. The DS-7002 is your training plan with your goals, the skills you will learn and how you are supervised and evaluated. For interns and trainees, the DS-7002 has to be fully signed first.
Source: J-1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants · 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns
The Bottom Line
The DS-2019 is your sponsor's confirmation that you are accepted into a J-1 program. You can't apply for the visa without it, but it doesn't guarantee approval.
Related Terms
- DS-7002The Training/Internship Placement Plan. You, your host company and your sponsor all sign it.more
- J-1 InternA US exchange visitor category that lets students and recent graduates train at a US company for up to 12 months.more
- J-1 TraineeA US exchange visitor category for people with a degree and work experience abroad, with training at a US company for up to 18 months.more
- SEVIS FeeThe I-901 fee for the US exchange visitor database. For J-1 applicants it is $220.more
- Grace PeriodThe 30 days after your J-1 program ends to prepare your departure from the US.more
- Host CompanyThe US organization where a J-1 intern or trainee does the training program.more
Sources
- J-1 Visa: About DS-2019
- J-1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants
- 22 CFR § 62.4: Categories of participant eligibility
- 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns