Office of Global Engagement
International Students and Scholars

J-1 Exchange Visitors at Brown Affiliated Hospitals

A temporary visitor or employee of an affiliated hospital who is coming to the hospital for research and/or observation.

Breadcrumb

If any clinical work will be done by the incoming visitor or employee, Brown cannot sponsor the visa. The immigration document issued by OISSS for J-1 eligible visitors or employees is called a Form DS-2019.

All J-1 DS-2019 Requests must be received by the OISSS at least 3 months in advance of the requested start date. Some visa applications may be subject to additional Administrative Processing.

J-1 Request Forms

Please type or print your form to avoid errors and make sure the information is 100% accurate and matches the information on the scholar's passport. Permanent Residency of dependent(s) is a mandatory field in SEVIS, so please add the information in the request form and if different from the country of citizenship, provide document evidence.

Department J-1 Request Form
To be completed by Department

Scholar J-1 Request Form
To be completed by Scholar

J-1 Extension Request Form
To be completed by both Scholar and Department

Step 1

For any request (new or extension), Hospital departments should submit the following to:

BioMed Faculty Administration (BMFA) at BMFA@brown.edu 

  1. Complete the appropriate J-1 Request Form(s) and send the Department Request Form to the Department Chairperson, Division Director and/or Sponsor for approval.
  2. Letter/memo from the Department Chairperson or Division Director recommending the Brown University appointment.
  3. Copy of the biographical page of the Exchange Visitor’s passport.
  4. Proof of Funding/Financial Support
  5. Copy of the Exchange Visitor’s CV or resume.
  6. English Language Proficiency Verification.
  7. Any other applicable documentation as per the list in the J-1 Request Forms.

Application Notes

  • BMFA will issue the appointment letter and send it to the department. The department then needs to forward the request to OISSS@brown.edu once the appointment letter has been accepted by the scholar.
  • All Brown University paid postdoctoral appointments in the field of Biology and Medicine should submit the appropriate DS-2019 Request Form(s) to the Associate Dean of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, Box G A-219; fax 401-863-2660.
  • If the program is funded by the Exchange Visitor’s government, other organizations or by the individual, a letter of award or a financial statement should be attached with the request form for review.

Step 2

When OISSS receives the documents from the department, it will review the request and once all follow up is complete, will issue the DS-2019. Please allow up to 3 weeks to complete the Form DS-2019.  Plan ahead and leave sufficient time for processing.

Step 3

When Form DS-2019 is returned and printed, OISSS will send the appropriate documents to the hospital address listed on the request form.  The department is responsible for sending the DS-2019 documentation to the Exchange Visitor.

Additional Information

  • The Exchange Visitor and the Department should pay close attention to the end date on the Form DS-2019 issued for Exchange Visitors. Extensions must be completed before the expiration date in DS-2019. Please do not wait until the last minute to request an extension.
  • If the Exchange Visitor will not arrive in the U.S. within 30 days of their anticipated J-1 start date (as listed on the DS-2019), you must notify OISSS immediately. OISSS will need to amend the J-1 start date in their SEVIS record accordingly. Failure to do so will result in termination of their J-1 status.
  • Please remind your visitor that upon arrival all Brown University international students and exchange visitors are required to register at the Office of International Student and Scholar Services within 5 business days of arrival on campus. Failure to do so could result in violation of status.
  • All J-1 Exchange Visitors and J-2 dependents are required to have health insurance that meets the J-1 minimum requirements for the entire length of time they are in J- status. Exchange visitors in J-1 and J-2 status who do not maintain adequate health insurance are considered in violation and can be subject to termination of their J status. If a J-1 scholar is not eligible for Lifespan health insurance they will need to purchase a plan that meets the minimum requirements for J Exchange Visitors. Brown University offers a plan through Gallagher (Inbound) that exceeds the minimum requirements for J Exchange Visitor.