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J-1 Visiting Student General Process Timeline

Below is a general timeline for the initial J-1 Visiting Student visa process.  This process requires the coordination of the visiting student, the OIS, the sponsoring Hopkins department, and the U.S. Consulate.  It is important to understand that the times given below are estimates as there are numerous factors that could cause the process to take longer than expected.

*The total average timeframe OIS estimates between inviting the student to JHU and their arrival on campus is 3 to 5 months.

J-1 Initial Visa Timeline for Visiting Students at JHU

  • 1

    Department submits completed J-1 visiting student eForm request to OIS (1-3 months)

    • Visiting student admitted to program in SIS  
    • OIS receives record in iHopkins through SIS 
    • Department grants iHopkins access to visiting student to complete eForm process 
    • Visiting student completes 2 required iHopkins eForms + dependent eForm, if applicable
    • Department completes 3 required iHopkins eForms
  • 2

    OIS reviews iHopkins request and issues DS-2019 (10 business days)

    • Completed eForm requests are assigned to OIS advisor for review and processing 
    • Visiting student receives instructions to access DS-2019 electronically and prepares for visa application 
  • 3

    Visiting student applies for J-1 visa stamp (3-12 weeks estimated)

    Only when Visiting student has received DS-2019 from OIS, they must:

    • Pay SEVIS fee
    • Apply for J-1 visa stamp
    • Receive J-1 visa stamp in passport
  • 4

    Visiting student arrival (within 30 days of DS-2019 start date)

    • Prior to arrival to the U.S., visiting student must complete online J-1 student orientation
    • Within 3 days of arrival, visiting student must
      • complete electronic J-1 check-in with OIS
      • enroll in required research coursework
  • 5

    Visiting student begins their program on DS-2019 start date

    *Visiting student may only engage in JHU program during the dates listed in the box 3 of DS-2019  

Timeline Definitions
*DS-2019 – Immigration document issued by OIS that the J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) must use for J-1 Visa appointment and gain entry to the U.S.
*SEVIS – The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (an electronic government database that contains immigration-related information for F, M, and J Visa holders)
*OIS – The Office of International Services at Johns Hopkins University

After OIS Completes J-1 Request

Beyond the internal J-1 Request process at Johns Hopkins, and after an individual receives their DS-2019 form, there are a number of immigration-related factors that may influence their ability to arrive to the U.S. and begin their program at Hopkins. These are outlined in more detail on our Website under the sections listed below:

Applying for a U.S. Visa Stamp

Travel Information

Special Administrative Processing

For information about J-1 Visiting Students extending their program at JHU, refer to the extension timeline below

If you have questions about sponsorship of a J-1 Visiting Student, please contact the OIS at [email protected].