The DS-2019 Certificate

What is the DS-2019 and why is it important?

The DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status is the document issued to you by your Legal Sponsor once your application has been approved.

With this document, you are able to move forward with the process of booking your face to face interview for the actual J1 visa at your local US Embassy or Consulate.

The DS-2019 Certificate is not a visa - it is proof you and your US Host Company have fulfilled and met the requirements of the programme and is issued in order to allow you to apply for the J1 Visa.

U.S. Department of State Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status form with annotations in red text explaining the start of the SEVIS ID, official dates, and signing instructions.

  • In order to get your DS-2019 Certificate, you will need to apply for one of our J1 Visa Programmes. See our Home page for a list of these to see which one you are eligible for!

  • These are the dates you are legally allowed to undertake your J1 programme at your US Host Company or organisation.

    You are not allowed to start at your US Host Company before the date listed on your DS-2019, and you may not continue your position at your US Host Company past the end date listed on your DS-2019

  • It’s not a typo!
    For all J1 Intern category programmes (e.g. Internship USA), the form defaults to University Undergraduate. This is absolutely fine and just the way it works!

  • If you have any questions regarding your DS-2019 issued through your IST Plus Programme, please contact our team on at info@istplus.com or by using the contact form at the bottom of this page (please provide your full name and SEVIS ID/ DS-2019#).

    We are unable to assist with any enquiries regarding DS-2019 Certificates issued through other programmes