How to Obtain An Initial J-1 or H-1B Visa

J-1 Scholars

You must have your DS-2019 form(s) in hand in order to apply for your visa. When you receive your DS-2019 form, review the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will apply for your visa for location specific information. U.S. consulates and embassies will generally require that you:

  1. Pay the I-901 SEVIS fee: Print and bring receipt to visa interview. Not required for J-2s or visa renewals.

  2. Submit the Nonimmigrant Visa Application: Include all social media handles from the past 5 years. Omissions may lead to denial.

  3. Set Social Media to Public: Adjust the privacy settings on all of social media accounts to ‘public’ to facilitate vetting.

  4. Pay Visa Fee (MRV): Required for all applicants.

  5. Pay the Reciprocity Fee (only if applicable). Only a limited number of countries are required to pay a reciprocity fee. If you are not sure if you must pay this fee, contact the U.S. Consulate or Embassy where you will be applying for your visa for confirmation.

  6. Schedule Your Visa Interview: The consulate will not schedule an appointment for you. Please review the Department of State website for visa interview tips.

  7. Bring Required Docs: DS-2019, passport (valid 6+ months beyond program end date), UCSF Appointment Letter, Financial Proof, DS-160 Confirmation Page, Visa Fee Receipt, SEVIS fee receipt. Note: If your passport is expiring soon, CBP may shorten your stay in the U.S.

For an overview of the J-1 visa application process, please see the U.S. Department of State website.

J-1 Canadian Citizens

Canadian Citizens do not need to apply for a visa. However, Canadians must still present a SEVIS fee receipt and a valid passport, financial certification, UCSF appointment letter and DS-2019 form to CBP.

J-1 Arrival

J-1 scholars (and their J-2 dependents) can arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days prior to the DS-2019 start date. This is strictly for settling in and preparing for your program; you may not begin work until the start date listed on your DS-2019 form.

At the port of entry, your passport and DS-2019 will be date-stamped and returned to you. After U.S. arrival, go online to retrieve your Electronic I-94 Form.

 

H-1B Temporary Worker

After receiving H-1B approval notice (I-797 form), an international scholar applying for an H-1B visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad will need to present the following:

  1. Passport: Must be valid for at least six months beyond the H-1B approval end date
  2. H-1B Support Letter
  3. I-797 Approval Notification: Original H-1B approval notice (petitioned by UCSF). The embassy or Consular officer must return the original to a scholar in order to present it to the Immigration Inspector upon entry to the U.S.
  4. I-129 Petition: Copy of University’s H-1B petition, with a copy of University’s Labor Condition Application