DS-2019

This is a unique number assigned exclusively to you. Your SEVIS ID will stay the same for the entire time that you’re in J-1 or J-2 status in the U.S. If you’re a new student, coming to the U.S. in J-1 or J-2 status for the first time you will need your SEVIS ID to pay your SEVIS fee and apply for your J-1 or J-2 visa stamp. As a continuing student, we will occasionally ask for your SEVIS ID number to verify information. No one other than your school or U.S. government agencies should ask for your SEVIS ID number. You can memorize it, but it’s not required.

J-1: This shows that you should be admitted or are in the U.S as an J-1 student.

J-2: This shows that you the dependent family member of a person in J-1 status. Your DS-2019 will look a little different than an J-1 DS-2019, as it contains not only your information but your family member’s J-1 information, too!

Also called “family name” or “last name”

We are required to use the name standardization of the machine readable line of your passport when creating an DS-2019 in the SEVIS immigration system. You should enter your name as it appears here for all official and U.S. government processes (SEVIS fee payment, visa application, driver’s license application, Social Security, U.S. bank accounts etc)

If you have questions about the way your name appears or have changed your name on your passport, please contact our office.

Also called “first name”

We are required to use the name standardization of the machine readable line of your passport when creating an DS-2019 in the SEVIS immigration system. You should enter your name as it appears here for all official and U.S. government processes (SEVIS fee payment, visa application, driver’s license application, Social Security, U.S. bank accounts etc)

If you have questions about the way your name appears or have changed your name on your passport, please contact our office.

This should match your preferred gender. It may also match the sex listed on your passport.

This should match the date of birth on your passport. The standard date format in the U.S. is MM/DD/YYYY.

This is based on your passport or self-reporting.

This is based on your passport or self-reporting.

This is a two letter code based on the passport you provided at the time of your first SCU DS-2019 request.

This is based on the passport you provided at the time of your first SCU DS-2019 request.

This is a two letter code based on your reporting at the time of your first SCU DS-2019 request.

This is based on your reporting at the time of your first SCU DS-2019 request.

This will either be Santa Clara University in Santa Clara, CA or the Jesuit School of Theology in Berkeley, CA

This will list Santa Clara University

This lists the U.S. Department of State Exchange Visitor programs that Santa Clara University is approved to sponsor.

This lists Santa Clara University’s program number P-1-03429

For most new J-1s, this will list “Begin New Program”

There may be a notation about accompanying family members.

There may be additional notations about edits that have happened to your immigration record, such as changes to your funding, biographical information or program extensions.

This shows your program duration including start and end date.

You may enter the U.S. 30 days before your program start date.

If you need a program extension or want your immigration record transferred to another school, you must do so before your program end date.

You may stay in the U.S. for 30 days after your program end date.

This should list your exchange visitor category. At SCU that will most likely list “student non-degree” or “research scholar”.

The information that is printed under "subject field code" on the DS-2019 is known as a "CIP code". The Classification of Instructional Programs ("CIP code") is a U.S. government designation used to classify and describe a wide variety of degrees, majors and fields of teaching / research across U.S. universities. The appropriate CIP code for your program was assigned by our university based on the content of your program.

This section will show the funding that you presented when you requested your DS-2019.

For new students coming to the U.S. in J-1 status for the first time or applying for a change of status, this should be blank. You are not authorized to work off campus!  

If you are ever authorize for employment, you will get a new DS-2019 showing your employment authorization.

This section should be signed by an ISS team member in blue ink.

This section should be blank.

This section will be automatically filled out if you have demonstrated any government funding.

At the time of your visa interview the consulate officer will review the details of your program and funding to determine whether you are subject to the two year home residency requirement (212(e)).

Often called a “travel signature”

This section should be blank at the time your DS-2019 is created.

If you plan to leave the U.S. during your program, you will need a signature on this form in order to get back into the U.S.

Signatures are valid for 1 year.

You will need a valid signature to get into the U.S. after travel abroad.

Each time you get a new DS-2019 you should sign and date the DS-2019 in blue ink immediately.

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“The fine print”. Legal information and agreements (this is what you’re agreeing to when you sign page 1).