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Steps for Incoming J-1 Student Interns

The process of requesting J-1 Student Intern visa status begins with the host department. View instructions for host departments. Once the NU department has submitted a complete request to the OISS, the OISS advisor will review the documents and will issue the Exchange Visitor (EV) a DS-2019 and DS-7002, which is used to obtain his/her J-1 visa stamp at the U.S. embassy/consulate outside the U.S.

Instructions for incoming student visitors

1. Provide the following documents

  • Exchange Visitor DS-2019 Request
  • J-1 Intern Student Supplement
  • Student Status Verification Letter:  All J-1 Student Interns must attach a student status verification letter from their home institution. The letter must be on official letterhead and must be signed by a relevant school official. The letter must contain the following information:
    • Intern’s full name
    • Institution name and address
    • Intern’s current degree program and major
    • Intern’s expected graduation date (Month and Year)
    • State that the intern is in good academic standing

Please provide a copy of the status verification letter and this J-1 Student intern Student Supplement to your
hosting department at Northwestern University. Both documents are required in order for the International
Office to issue a J-1 DS-2019.

Return the completed forms and associated documents (electronic copies are acceptable) to your host department so the department can submit the complete request to the Office of International Student and Scholar Services.

2. Receive DS-2019 and DS-7002

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services will send your DS-2019 and DS-7002 via email attachment. Both you and your program supervisor will need to print and sign both documents. Instructions will be sent via corresponding email. Please carefully review both documents and notify OISS right away if there are any errors or discrepancies.

3. Pay the SEVIS Fee

You can pay the SEVIS fee via the SEVIS I-901 Fee Processing website.

4. Obtain the J-1 visa stamp

Once you have the DS-2019 and DS-7002 documents from from Northwestern, make an appointment at the nearest U.S. Embassy/Consulate for a visa interview. All J-1 visa stamps must be obtained outside the U.S.

If while applying for a J-1 visa stamp, the EV's name is sent for a background check, there is very little the university can do. However, if more than 60 days have passed since the date of application, and no information has been given regarding application status, please follow the instructions on the OISS website regarding Visa Stamp Delay.

Note: Canadian citizens do not require a visa stamp.

5. After arrival, you will need to complete Immigration Check-In

  • When entering the country, be sure to present the DS-2019, DS-7002 and J-1 visa stamp to the immigration official to ensure you enter in J-1 Student Intern status.
  • You must check in with the Office of International Student and Scholar Services within five days of arriving on campus.