Obtaining Your DS-2019

The DS-2019 is the “certificate of eligibility” for J-1 status. All Exchange Visitors must have this document in order to receive a J-1 visa.  All J-1 Exchange Visitors are issued DS-2019s by the Office of International Services at the sponsoring academic department’s request. J-1 students may receive their DS-2019 directly from the Office of Global Strategies and International Affairs (OIA) upon official admission. Your spouse or children, if accompanying you, will also each need their own DS-2019 to obtain J-2 dependent status.

To process DS-2019, official evidence of recommended funding amounts must be available to cover the estimated living expenses in Frankfort, KY. For J-1 scholar, the minimum amount of funds should be at least $1,500 per month or $18,000 per year including living expenses and health insurance. Additional funding of $7,500 for spouse and $4,500 for each child is needed if they would like to bring their dependents with them.

For J-1 students, official evidence of sufficient funding must be shown that they have the ability to cover their tuition and living expenses. International student tuition fee applies. The estimated cost is $21,210/academic year (tuition $12,134, estimated lodging $4,000, meal plan $3,686, insurance $390, miscellaneous $1,000). Additional funding of $7,500 for spouse and $4,500 for each child is needed if they would like to bring their dependents with them. The funding may be from multiple sources, including KSU, the visitor’s home government, the visitor’s home university, personal sources, and private organizations.

Your DS-2019 is an important document for your J-1 status issued by Kentucky State University, which allows you to apply for a J-1 visa if you are outside the U.S, apply for J-1 status within the U.S., enter and reenter the U.S. in J-1 status, and prove your eligibility for various J-1 benefits. The DS-2019 indicates the institution in which you are permitted to study, your program of study, and the dates of eligibility. When you receive your DS-2019, please read it carefully and make sure all information is accurate and consistent.

Note: Your SEVIS number in the top right corner–the 10-digit number beginning with the letter “N.” SEVIS stands for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which is an online database that keeps individual records for every student in J-1 status. The DS-2019 is a printout from your electronic record. Never throw away a DS-2019. A sample DS-2019 Form is enclosed.