The International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSSO) processes departmental requests for J-1 exchange visitors, guides the worker and their hiring departments in their J-1 processes, and provides special services related to the exchange visitor’s non-immigrant status.  Information is available to guide staff that want to invite exchange visitors from ISSSO at UH Staff Guide to J-1 Program.

To request a J-1 exchange visitor, departments must submit the DS-2019 request form along with $80 or $50 if the program is less than one semester by SC Voucher payment to ISSSO. DS-2019 request forms are reviewed for eligibility/inaccuracies/and completeness. Incomplete or inaccurate requests may require additional processing time. Once all documentation is received from ISSSO, permit 5 business days processing time for the DS-2019 document. The prospective exchange visitor will then use this document to request a J-1 visa from a US Consulate overseas, or if currently inside the United States, the prospective J-1 exchange visitor may work with ISSSO to file for a change of non-immigrant status to J-1 or transfer their J-1 records to UH (if currently inside the United States).

To invite J-1 Student Interns, the DS-2019 request form is different. A second form, the DS-7002 is also required. Please download the DS-2019 request form from ISSSO website. If you are offering a paid internship, payable as a stipend, please also download the Paymetns to Non-Employees and Non-Contractors form and attach to your payment voucher.

302 Student Service Center 1
Houston, TX 77204-3024
Phone: (713) 743-5065
Fax: (713) 743-5079
Web: ISSSO

Located in Building #524.  See Campus Map