Inviting J-1 Exchange Visitors to UH

This information is intended to help navigate you through the J-1 application process. If you need further assistance or can’t find the answers you need below, please contact our main office at (713-743-5065) or by email (isssohlp@central.uh.edu).

How can I invite a J-1 International Scholar or Student to UH?

The first step to inviting a J-1 scholar or student (J-1 Exchange Visitor) to UH is to figure out the correct J-1 category. The J-1 program has many different category choices, and UH has been approved for the ones listed below:

J-1 Short-Term Scholar
J-1 Research Scholar
J-1 Professor
J-1 Student Intern
J-1 Non-Degree (Mostly for exchange students)
J-1 Student (Bachelor's, Master's, or Doctorate)

You can use this diagram to figure out the best choice and which category will fit what you are seeking.

How to Select Category for Prospective J-1

DS-2019 Information

Once you have selected the correct category to invite the student or scholar, you will begin the process to fill out the required DocuSign form.

The first thing to do is gather the required documents from the scholar or student who will be coming to UH.

Here is a template that you can use to get the required information from the incoming scholar: DS-2019 Exchange Visitor Information Template.
Here is the required Export Control Form for all J-1's to be filled out by the J-1 and uploaded as part of the DocuSign DS-2019 requests: J-1 Visa Candidate Due Diligence Form.

After accessing the DocuSign icon through AccessUH, go to the templates tab and under “Shared Folders” look for “ISSSO.”
Important Note: A J-1 scholar cannot begin this process. It has to be initiated by the department staff.

shared folder issso

Once you access this folder, you will find the required forms to use:

issso required forms

DS-2019 Request Fees

List	Fees
J-1 Research Scholar/ Professor Fee	$200/year; $400/2 years (Effective Sept 1, 2025)
J-1 Short-Term Scholar Fee	$100 (Effective Sept 1, 2025)
J-1 Student Intern Fee	$250 (Effective Sept 1, 2025)

Note: The J-1 students are temporarily not available to use on DocuSign as the form is still being created. Please use the old DS-2019 request form until further notice.

DS-2019 Request Form for Research Scholar/Professor, Short-Term Scholar, and Student categories

If it’s a J-1 student who will be working on-campus, please fill this form as well: Work On-Campus.

Approval

The DS-2019 Request Form must be approved by the University of Houston department. Consequently, its use is limited to the University of Houston faculty and staff. It must be signed by the appropriate persons indicated on the Docusign form.

Additional Information regarding J-1 Research Scholar and Professor Categories:

For a Researcher – Select the Research Scholar category on the DS-2019 Request form
For an Instructor/Professor – Select the Professor category on the DS-2019 Request form
For someone doing both teaching and research – Choose the category that will occupy most of the J-1 visitor’s time on the DS-2019 Request form
J-1 researchers with staff jobs must comply with UH Staff requirements. All staff positions (including research staff) must be posted through the Human Resources job posting system (OJS)

Completion and Review

Once the Docusign form is completed. Our office will generate the DS-2019 form for the J-1 and any accompanying dependents. These will be sent to the scholar by email together with an information packet regarding next steps and important health insurance reminders.

The scholar will then pay the SEVIS fee payment (www.fmjfee.com) and fill out the appropriate DS-160 form and apply for the J-1 Visa at the nearest U.S. consulate. This process can take between 4-8 weeks. You can include an invitation letter for the student or scholar to use for their VISA appointment. Here’s a sample invitation letter.

Once the scholar enters the U.S., they will report to ISSSO for check-in and be scheduled for a mandatory J-1 orientation. For J-1 students, they will be required to attend the ISSSO main orientation at the start of the semester and do the online check-in through TerraDotta.

Additional FAQ's

How long can a J-1 Exchange Visitor in a Research Scholar or Professor Category Remain at UH?

He or she may remain at UH for a maximum of five years, as long as he or she has a valid DS-2019 and continues to perform activities consistent with the specific program objectives.

Can I invite an International Scholar back to UH each year for several years?

For J-1 "repeat exchange visitors" program periods must be less than six months, or the exchange visitor must wait one year outside the U.S. before they may begin a new program.

How can I have the option of being able to offer an international a permanent faculty position at UH?

Consider and beware of the 212e Two-Year Home Country Present Requirement! Some J-1 Exchange Visitors have this requirement which prevents a J-1 from changing to another status, like H-1B or F-1. A J-1 can apply for a waiver of the requirement which takes around 5-7 months on average. However, once the waiver is approved no more J-1 program extensions are permitted and the J-1 must immediately apply for a change of status. Timing is a real consideration in this scenario.

Think of starting with the H-1B, instead of the J-1. The H-1B status enables an international to remain in the U.S. for as long as six years if he or she is working with the entity indicated on his or her valid H-1B approval notice. Contact the Immigration Specialist in the Office of the General Counsel if you want to process an H-1B for a University of Houston position.

Can I pay an International who comes on a B-2 or WT Status?

Yes, but "the payments [honoraria and reimbursement of incidental expenses] must be made by an institution of higher education or a nonprofit or governmental research organization and must be made for academic-related services provided to that institution. The services cannot exceed 9 days and the person has not accepted such payments from more than 5 institutions in the previous six-months."