The Office for International Students & Scholars (OISS) assists faculty and staff in bringing international scholars to campus and offers services to them once they arrive. We provide information on immigration matters, prepare visa documentation for scholars and dependents, provide information on health insurance, social security numbers, drivers licenses and general information about the Universtiy of Delaware.
The general purpose of this program is to promote international understanding and multicultural exposure to foster a better understanding between the United States and our neighbors abroad.
Visiting Scholars will normally be issued a DS-2019 from our office and enter the US on a J-1 visa. An exchange visitor can come as a Professor, Research Scholar, Short Term Scholar or specialist depending on the needs of the requesting department. A scholar may come to teach, do research, observe or consult on a project/projects. The length of stay for the J-1 visa can vary from three weeks to five years, depending on the category requested.
Proof of financial support for the period requested is mandatory. Funds can be from the University of Delaware, the exchange visitors home country, or personal funds of the exchange visitor. In any case, the DS-2019 will be issued by OISS.
Some exchange visitors may be subject to a two year home residency requirement. This means that before the exchange visitor and any family members wish to change to another non-immigrant visa status they must receive a waiver of the two year home residency requirement or fulfill the requirement. For more information, visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html
The Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitors, or DS-2019, is the form that is presented at the US Consulate or Embassy to obtain a J-1 visa to enter the U.S. More information can be found at http://travel.state.gov/visa.
Before going to the consulate or embassy a fee of $180 must be paid and a receipt received by the Department of Homeland Security. Please see details at http://www.fmjfee.com.
