• Visits can range between one and eight quarters (2 years maximum). We encourage you to plan the dates of your visit around the schedule listed here.
• A fully or predominantly virtual program is not permitted. At least 60% of activity must be in person.

Visitors at ED&IS are responsible for two categories of fees: 1) program fees and 2) Visa processing fees. Visitors must also provide proof of sufficient funds. All fees are due before the DS-2019 can be processed.
 
Program Fees
Ed&IS quarterly fee: $900
When a Visiting appointment falls anywhere within a quarter, he or she will be charged fees for that entire quarter. As quarterly fees are not prorated, we encourage you to plan the dates of your visit around the quarter scheduled listed here.
 
If the visiting scholar cancels their scheduled visit after the DS-2019 has been processed, the visitor is eligible for a partial refund of Ed&IS quarterly fees.
 
If the visiting scholar is denied entry into the US after the DS-2019 has been processed, the visitor is eligible for a full refund of the Ed&IS quarterly fees.

• J-1 Visa Fees
  $300 Visa Services Fee
  Fee is per DS-2019 request submitted.
• $40 SEVIS User Fee
  Fee is per year of appointment. For example, the fee for an appointment over 1 year and less than 2 years will be $80.
• $40 J-2 Dependent Fee
  Fee is per dependent (spouse or child) and year of appointment. For example, the fee for 2 dependents on a 2-year program will be $160.
• $59 jPATH Orientation Fee
  Only required for new DS-2019 requests and for programs that are more than 3 months long.

J-1 Visa Fees are non-refundable once the DS-2019 has been processed. Please visit the Dashew Center website for more information on their refund policy.
 
Proof of Sufficient Funds
All visitors are required to demonstrate proof of adequate financial support to cover the entire cost of the visit (fees and living expenses). If accepted into the program, visitors will be required to supply financial documentation (bank statements, scholarship letters, etc.) in order to begin the process of applying for their J-1 visa.

The Department of State requires J-1 Exchange Visitors to have “sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in his or her program and to function on a day-to-day basis.” [22 CFR 62.11(a)(2)]

Visitors must provide one of the following forms as evidence of their proficiency:

• Certification by a language test recognized by UCLA’s graduate admissions
• Certification by home academic institution where English is used.
  • A copy of the letter with signature from school official is attached.
    • Verifies the exchange visitor possesses English language proficiency high enough to function daily within the UCLA position and within the local U.S. community.
    • Explains use of English at home academic institution.
    • Issued on academic institution letterhead in English within the past 6-months.
• Certification by English language school where English training was completed within the past 2 years.
• Copy of signed diploma or signed transcript from U.S. universities or universities in countries where English is the native language.
• Certification by the Sponsoring Professor (please reach out to Academic Personnel to utilize this option)

An applicant whose first language is English and is a citizen of a country in which English is the primary spoken language of daily life (e.g., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom) is exempt from this requirement.

If you are eligible to participate in our Visiting Scholar Program, we will email you instructions for applying for a DS-2019 form for your J-1 visa. You will be asked to submit the following information:

• Research Proposal
• Biographical information for you and your dependents (spouse and/or children).
• Copy of the picture page of the passport for you and each dependent, if applicable.
• Documentary evidence of financial support in English. 51% of required funds must come from non-personal sources for J-1 non-degree student categories.
• A copy of your resume/CV.
• Proof of English language proficiency.
• Copies of previous DS-2019 forms if you have participated in a J-1 program within the past 2 years.

After receiving these items, the Dashew Center will process your application and issue your DS-2019 form within 20 business days. The DS-2019 form will be sent to you via email. After receiving the form, you must apply for a J-1 visa through the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence in order to obtain authorization to enter the United States. Please apply for your visa well in advance of the date of your intended travel to the United States, as some embassies and consulates take several weeks (or even months) to process visa requests.

Upon arriving in the United States, you must check in with the Dashew Center within 25 days.

If you have questions about the visa process, you should direct those to the Dashew Center. You can find different ways to contact the Dashew Center here.

As your program begins, please ensure to complete all items listed here: Visitor Checklist. You will be able to access these items once you’ve received your UCLA Logon information. Important and time-sensitive items include:

• Enroll in or Waive Health Insurance: Visiting Scholars and Visiting Student Researchers (VGRs) are required to enroll in or waive the Visiting Scholar Benefits Plan (VSPB) through Garnett-Powers & Associates. J-1 exchange visitors may begin the enrollment process only after receiving the DS-2019 form.
• Begin jPATH Orientation: UCLA jPATH is a mandatory orientation designed to meet U.S. Department of State requirements and to help you adjust to life in the U.S., Los Angeles, and on the UCLA campus. jPATH consists of 4 online video modules: J-1 Visa Workshop, Getting Started at UCLA, Getting Started in Los Angeles, and Cultural Adjustment. There is a mandatory fee of $59 to access jPATH.
  • PLEASE NOTE: This orientation must be completed by the end of Week 2 of your program with UCLA – failure to do so may lead to the cancellation of your visa.
• J-1 Visa Check-in: You must complete the J-1 Visa Check-in within 25 days.