When your Form DS-2019 J-1 visa document was issued, you should have received instructions on how to schedule your J-1 visa appointment at the Consular Post most convenient to you, including your specific SEVIS ID and J-1 Program Code. If you did not receive this information, please reach out to either email: Patrick_Trouve@uml.edu (if a UMass Lowell employee) or email: ISSO@uml.edu if an unpaid J-1 scholar.
In advance of your J-1 visa appointment, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee. Be sure to print a copy of your payment receipt to bring to your eventual visa interview. You should also make plans to purchase the appropriate health insurance coverage prior to your visa interview, but certainly before your eventual entry to the US.
You should plan to bring the following to your J-1 visa interview:
- Signed Form DS-2019
- Form I-901 SEVIS Fee payment receipt
- Form DS-160 Visa Application Fee receipt
- Passport (valid for at last 6 months into the future)
- UMass Lowell Offer/Invitation Letter evidencing financial support, if applicable
- Other proof of financial support (government, institutional, personal, etc.) to evidence funding, if not paid by UMass Lowell
- Two passport-sized photos
When your visa is approved, the Consular Officer will return the DS-2019 to you to present at the US port of entry, and collect your passport. The passport will eventually be returned to you with your J-1 visa stamp. You can enter the US once you have the J-1 visa, but no earlier than 30 days prior to your J-1 program start.