Prepare for Your J-1 Program at CSUSB
Preparing in advance can help you avoid delays and begin your exchange program successfully. Before traveling to the United States, review your immigration documents, understand your CSUSB program arrangements, plan for anticipated expenses, obtain appropriate health insurance, and remain in contact with your host department.
The steps on this page are intended for exchange visitors sponsored by CSUSB in the Professor, Research Scholar, or Short-Term Scholar category. Requirements may vary according to your category, program arrangements, funding, accompanying dependents, and individual circumstances.
Contact International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) if you identify an error in your documents, expect a delay, or have questions before traveling.
Understand Your CSUSB Exchange Program
Your host department should communicate with you before arrival about the purpose and expected activities of your exchange program.
Discuss your anticipated schedule, faculty collaboration, research or teaching activities, access to office or laboratory space, equipment needs, campus access, and other department support. Contact your host department if any arrangements remain unclear.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program supports temporary educational and cultural exchange. Your activities at CSUSB must remain consistent with your J-1 category, Form DS-2019, and the program reviewed by ISSS.
The program is not a tenure-track or permanent-employment pathway. Questions about proposed changes to your activities, dates, funding, or site of activity should be directed to ISSS before the change occurs.
Pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee
Most new CSUSB-sponsored J-1 Exchange Visitors must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee before applying for a J-1 visa. Follow the instructions on the official Department of Homeland Security payment website and confirm that the SEVIS ID on your payment matches the SEVIS ID on your Form DS-2019.
Save your payment confirmation and bring it to your visa interview and when traveling to the United States.
Each J-2 dependent receives a separate Form DS-2019 but does not pay a separate I-901 SEVIS fee. Contact ISSS before paying if you are uncertain whether the fee applies to your program.
Apply for Your J-1 Visa
After receiving your Form DS-2019 and paying the I-901 SEVIS fee, follow the instructions of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply.
The visa application process may include:
- Completing Form DS-160;
- Paying a visa application fee;
- Scheduling a visa interview;
- Presenting your passport and Form DS-2019;
- Providing evidence of your program purpose and financial support; and
- Submitting any additional documentation requested by the embassy or consulate.
Visa procedures and appointment availability vary by location. Apply as early as possible, but do not make final travel arrangements or purchase nonrefundable tickets until your visa has been issued.
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not need a J-1 visa, but they must still meet the applicable J-1 admission requirements and present their immigration documents when requesting entry.
Plan for the Full Cost of Your Program
Before traveling, review your financial-support documentation and plan for immigration expenses, health insurance, transportation, housing, food, and other living costs.
Your actual expenses will depend on your program arrangements, length of stay, housing choices, transportation needs, accompanying dependents, and whether you will enroll in CSUSB courses.
Review Current CSUSB Tuition and Fees
CSUSB’s Cost of Attendance information provides updated estimates for housing, food, transportation, and other expenses. These figures are developed for student financial-aid budgeting and are not a bill or a guarantee of an exchange visitor’s actual costs, but they may be used as a general local planning reference.
Actual expenses vary, and published estimates are subject to change.
Choose Housing With a Practical Commute
Arrange housing before traveling whenever possible. Choose a location that allows you to travel reliably to your primary CSUSB site of activity and participate fully in your scheduled program activities.
When comparing housing options, consider:
- Travel time to campus or another approved site of activity;
- Access to reliable transportation;
- Your expected research, teaching, or program schedule;
- Lease length and early-termination provisions;
- Security deposits and initial move-in costs;
- Whether furniture, utilities, or internet are included; and
- The needs of any accompanying family members.
If you are uncertain whether a location will be practical, discuss it with your host department before signing a lease.
Explore CSUSB Housing Information
Housing eligibility, availability, lease terms, and costs vary. Inclusion of a housing resource or third-party listing does not guarantee availability or constitute CSUSB approval of a landlord or property.
Plan Your Transportation
Transportation options in the San Bernardino area may differ from those available in your home country. Before selecting housing, consider how you will travel to campus, obtain groceries, attend appointments, and participate in required program activities.
Do not select housing based only on its distance from CSUSB. Travel time, transit schedules, program hours, and access to a reliable vehicle may affect whether a location is practical.
The insurance policy for each J-1 visitor and J-2 dependent must provide at least:
- $100,000 in medical benefits per accident or illness;
- $25,000 for repatriation of remains;
- $50,000 for medical evacuation to the exchange visitor’s home country; and
- A deductible of no more than $500 per accident or illness.
Additional federal requirements apply to the insurer and the policy. Exchange visitors should not assume that a policy satisfies the J-1 requirements based only on its medical-benefit amount.
J-1 scholars may enroll in the CSUSB F-1/J-1 health-insurance plan and pay for coverage monthly through UnitedHealthcare Student Resources.
Scholars are not required to use the CSUSB plan if they have another policy that may meet all federal requirements. If you plan to use alternative insurance, contact ISSS before your program begins for the current review and approval instructions.
Alternative coverage is not considered accepted until the required review has been completed. Do not assume that a policy meets the J-1 requirements based only on its medical-benefit amount.
The Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement
Some J-1 Exchange Visitors become subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement under section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Whether the requirement applies can depend on government funding, participation in graduate medical education or training, or the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Review the annotations on your Form DS-2019 and J-1 visa, when applicable, and seek case-specific guidance if you have questions.
If you are subject to INA 212(e), you generally must either fulfill the requirement or receive an approved waiver before you can:
- Receive an H, L, or K visa;
- Receive an immigrant visa;
- Adjust status to lawful permanent resident in the United States; or
- Change from J status to another nonimmigrant status from within the United States, except as otherwise permitted by law.
This requirement is separate from the restrictions on repeat participation in certain J-1 categories. It also does not mean that every J-1 Exchange Visitor is subject.
ISSS can provide general information about the requirement but cannot determine an individual’s permanent-residency strategy or provide personal legal representation.
Coordinate Campus Access With Your Host Department
Some non-student visiting scholars may need a CSUSB Volunteer Form to establish their university affiliation and receive access to campus resources.
Depending on the visitor’s arrangements, completing this process may support access to:
- A CoyoteID;
- CSUSB email or other university systems;
- Library resources;
- Campus facilities; and
- Other resources needed for the approved exchange activity.
Ask your host department whether a Volunteer Form or another university onboarding process applies to you. Whenever possible, the appropriate process should be completed before your arrival so that access is available when your program begins.
Prepare for Travel to the United States
An initial J-1 Exchange Visitor may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the program begin date shown on Form DS-2019.
A J-1 visa permits you to travel to a U.S. port of entry and request admission. It does not guarantee admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection determines whether you may enter the United States and how you will be admitted.
Keep your host department informed of your visa status and anticipated arrival date. Do not begin your CSUSB program before the program begin date shown on Form DS-2019.
Keep your original immigration documents in your carry-on baggage—not in checked luggage.
Be prepared to present:
- Passport valid for travel;
- J-1 visa, unless exempt from the visa requirement;
- Original Form DS-2019;
- I-901 SEVIS fee payment confirmation;
- CSUSB invitation or appointment documentation;
- Evidence of financial support; and
- Forms DS-2019 and supporting documents for accompanying J-2 dependents.
Before traveling, confirm that the information across your passport, visa, and Form DS-2019 is consistent. Contact ISSS if you identify an error.
After admission, retrieve your electronic Form I-94 and verify that it shows the correct name, J-1 classification, and admission period. Contact ISSS promptly if the record appears incorrect.
CBP: Retrieve Your Form I-94Department of State: Exchange Visitor Visa
Delayed arrival
Contact ISSS After You Arrive
After entering the United States, email ISSS to report your arrival and schedule an in-person check-in meeting.
In your email, provide:
- Your full name;
- SEVIS ID;
- Date of arrival;
- Current U.S. address;
- U.S. telephone number, if available;
- Name of your CSUSB host department; and
- Availability for an in-person meeting.
Do not email copies of your passport or immigration documents unless ISSS requests them.
Report My Arrival and Schedule Check-In
Bring:
- Passport;
- J-1 visa, when applicable;
- Form DS-2019;
- Electronic Form I-94;
- Evidence of health-insurance coverage or enrollment;
- Current U.S. residential address and telephone number;
- Documents for accompanying J-2 dependents, if applicable; and
- Information about any unresolved Volunteer Form or campus-access process.
During the meeting, ISSS will review your arrival information, confirm your local contact information, discuss your J-1 responsibilities, and complete the appropriate SEVIS arrival process.
Questions About Preparing for CSUSB?
Contact International Student and Scholar Services if you have questions about your Form DS-2019, visa preparation, insurance, anticipated arrival, or another aspect of your CSUSB-sponsored exchange program.
Keep your host department informed of your visa status and expected arrival date throughout the pre-arrival process.
Expenses may include:
Review current amounts directly through the responsible government agency, service provider, or CSUSB office. Do not rely on amounts shown in older forms or informational materials.