Scholars are required to obtain the DS-2019 immigration document from Illinois Tech in order to apply for a J-1 entry visa at a U.S. Consulate abroad. In order for the Office of Global Services (OGS) to create the DS-2019, incoming Scholars have the responsibility of submitting the following documents within the ISSS Portal. Scholars will gain access to the portal through an invitation email from OGS after the host Department has initiated the immigration process at Illinois Tech.
Documents
Required
- Copy of the Invitation Letter signed by the Scholar & Department Head/College Dean
- The Department (not the Scholar) will submit this letter to OGS, but the Scholar should keep the original copy for their personal records.
- Copy of your Passport Biographical Page
- Valid at least six months beyond the J-1 Scholar's proposed Start Date
- Proof of English Language Proficiency
- Results from a recognized English language test that meet or exceed the score below (preferred method). Please note that OGS reserves the right to ask for further verification. You must submit proof of one of these measurements:
- Accepted English language tests and minimum requirements: TOEFL IBT – 57, TOEFL CBT – 163, TOEFL PBT – 487, IELTS – 5.5 & PTE – 42 (Photocopies of results mailed directly to you or screen shots of the online score report are acceptable.)
- Signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school verifying you have at least intermediate-level English language skills.
- OR documentation of an interview conducted by the host department either in person, by videoconference, or by telephone if neither of the first two options are viable options.
- Results from a recognized English language test that meet or exceed the score below (preferred method). Please note that OGS reserves the right to ask for further verification. You must submit proof of one of these measurements:
- Financial Documentation
- Living expenses of $1,400/month ($16,800/year), plus living expenses for any dependents (if applicable)
- IIT student health insurance fee (www.iit.edu/shwc/insurance), if applicable
- Cost of two research credits per term (one credit/summer term), if required to register
- Evidence of funding must be less than 6 months old (if your funding is not from IIT) and may be one or more of the following:
- Bank Statement in your name.
- Scholarship/grant award letter in your name indicating the amount and duration of support.
- Letter from your employer or academic institution indicating the amount and duration of support.
- Bank Statements in a sponsor’s name, plus a letter of support from the person named on the statement, indicating the amount and duration of support.
- If you are being funded by IIT, the host department must provide the funding amount within the invitation letter. You will only be responsible for providing additional funding documentation if your financial support from IIT does not meet or exceed the required minimums.
- Please note in cases where a funding range (instead of a specific amount) is given, only the lowest amount in the range can be used when calculating funding totals.
Additional (if applicable)
- SEVIS Transfer In Form for J-1 Scholars
- If you will be transferring your SEVIS Record from another U.S. Institution, please upload a completed SEVIS Transfer In Form for J-1 Scholars.
- Copy of Dependent(s) Passport Biographical Page
- Valid at least six months beyond the J-1 Scholar's proposed Start Date
- Dependent Funding
- Please upload your funding for your dependents (if applicable) with your Financial Documentation documents above.
- If you will be bringing dependents with you as J-2's to the United States, you must show an additional $417/month ($5,000/year) for each dependent you wish to bring to the U.S. (spouse or child)