/Office of Global Affairs
Visa and Immigration Services

Initiating a J-1 Scholar Request

You must request J-1 sponsorship through Visa and Immigration Services (VIS) before your scholar can begin their program.

J-1 scholars come to the United States for a temporary program with a specific purpose, such as research, teaching, lecturing, or training.

You are responsible for submitting a complete and accurate request so VIS can review and issue the required immigration documents.

Before You Begin

Before starting the request, you must:

  • Confirm the scholar has a Stony Brook ID (Empl ID)
  • Verify that all personal information (name, date of birth, email, citizenship) is correct in university systems
  • Allow time for systems to update before submitting the request

Accurate information is required for the scholar to access the system and complete their forms.

Submit the J-1 Scholar Request

You must complete the request in accessVIS.

You will:

  1. Log in using your NetID
  2. Select J-1 Scholar Request
  3. Enter the scholar’s ID and basic details
  4. Submit the Program & Activity Details form

You must provide:

  • Description of the scholar’s activities
  • Funding or salary information
  • Faculty sponsor or supervisor details

Depending on the appointment, you may also need to upload:

  • Employment or appointment letter
  • Personnel requisition (if applicable)
  • Non-salaried appointment letter
  • Supporting documents from partner institutions

After submission, the faculty supervisor will be asked to confirm program details.

Department Certification

You must complete the Chair’s Compliance Agreement.

This step confirms that your department:

  • Understands J-1 regulations
  • Agrees to follow all program requirements

This is required before VIS can move forward with the case.

Scholar Action Required

Once you submit the request, the scholar will receive instructions to complete their portion in accessVIS.

They must submit:

  • Biographical information
  • Dependent information (if applicable)
  • Proof of financial support

Delays in completing these steps will delay the overall process.

Compliance Screening

VIS will coordinate required compliance checks, including:

  • Review of program details
  • Screening through the Office of Research Compliance

This ensures the program meets U.S. regulations and institutional requirements.

Processing and Timeline

  • Allow approximately 10 business days for VIS review after submission
  • You should initiate the request at least 2–3 months before the intended start date

Incomplete requests or missing documents will delay processing.

After Approval

If the request is approved:

  • VIS will issue the Form DS-2019
  • You will be contacted to collect the documents
  • You are responsible for sending the documents to the scholar

The scholar will use these documents to apply for their visa and enter the U.S.

Important Reminder

You are responsible for ensuring that all information submitted is accurate and that timelines are met. Early preparation and prompt responses will help avoid delays and support a smooth arrival process for your scholar.