Step 2: Understanding Immigration Documents
Once ISSS has approved a department's new scholar request (and if applicable, once USCIS has approved Emory's petition), the scholar will receive welcome materials from ISSS which include an important immigration document(s). New scholars will use this document(s) to apply for their visa, enter the U.S., and remain in status throughout the period of their program/employment.
J-1 scholars will receive Form DS-2019, and if they plan to bring dependents, each J-2 exchange visitor will be issued their own DS-2019. All H-1B and O-1 scholars will be issued an I-797. If a USCIS petition was filed, TN and E-3 scholars may receive an I-797. However, this is rather rare.
Scholars should let their ISSS Advisor know if their immigration document have any errors or if something changes.
Title
DS-2019 Explained (J-1 Scholars and their J-2 Dependents)
A. SEVIS ID: A unique 11-digit alpha-numeric character beginning with “N." This number is generated and assigned to each newly created student, exchange visitor, and dependent record in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This number is used to pay the I-901 fee and during the visa application process.
Box 1
B. Surname/Primary Name, Given Name, Gender, Date of Birth, City of Birth, Country of Birth, Citizenship County Code, Citizenship Country, Legal Permanent Residence Country Code, Legal Permanent Residence Country: Required biographical information.
C. Position Code and Position: Refers to the exchange visitor's position at home, not the position they will hold as an exchange visitor at Emory.
D. Primary Site of Activity: The name and address of the place where the exchange visitor will engage in their program activities. At Emory, J-1 scholars are limited to no more than 2 sites of activity at a time. All sites must be listed in SEVIS but only the primary site is printed on the DS-2019. For more information on sites of activity, click here.
Box 2
E. Program Sponsor: Lists the name of the school/organization that issued the DS-2019 which acts as the J-1 scholar's sponsor for immigration purposes.
F. Program Number: The sponsoring school/organization's identification code in SEVIS. Emory University's Program code is P-1-00874.
Box 3
G. Form Covers Period: Program's start and estimated completion date.
Box 4
H. Exchange Visitor Category: The scholar categories Emory sponsors are Research Scholar, Short-term Scholar, Professor, Specialist, and J-1 Student Intern. For more information on J-1 scholar categories, click here.
I. Subject/Field Code and Subject/Field Code Remarks: Field of research, teaching or scholarly observation at Emory as determined by the exchange visitor's supervisor.
Box 5
J. Total Estimated Financial Support: A breakdown of how the scholar plans to meet their financial obligations during during the period covered by the form. Funds provided by Emory will be listed under "Current Program Sponsor."
Box 6 and 7
K. Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer Attestation: Contains the signature of the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) that created the DS-2019. For J-1 scholars sponsored by Emory, the A/RO will be an ISSS staff member. Scholars should feel free to reach out to their A/RO with any questions that they may have about their DS-2019!
Box 8
L. Statement of Responsible Officer for Releasing Sponsor (For Transfer of Program): This section is usually left blank unless the scholar had their SEVIS record transferred from one J-1 sponsor to another.
Additional Boxes
M. Preliminary Endorsement of Consular or Immigration Officer Regarding Section 212(e): To be completed by a US government official during the visa interview or at the port of entry.
N. Travel Validation by Responsible Officer: This section is required for exchange visitors who are in the US, wish to travel abroad, and plan return to Emory to continue their program. New scholars will not have a travel validation/signature. After an exchange visitor enters the US using their J-1 visa and makes plans to travel abroad, they may request a travel validation/signature from ISSS.
O. Exchange Visitor Certification: After printing the DS-2019, the scholar will sign and date the document using a pen. The scholar must also write the city, US state (if applicable), and country where the document was signed. If a scholar has J-2 dependents, the J-2 should sign their own DS-2019, unless the J-2 is under the age of 16, in which case "a parent or guardian" should sign for the J-2.
Title
I-797 Explained (Non-J Scholars)
A. Petitioner: Name of employer, Emory University
B. Beneficiary: Name of the employee
C. Notice Type: Receipt Notice or Approval Notice
D. Class: Non-immigrant status for which the beneficiary has been approved
E. Valid From: Dates of approved employment
F. Personal record card to be kept by the beneficiary
G. Generated I-94 for change of status or extension of stay
A. Petitioner: Name of employer, Emory University
B. Beneficiary: Name of the employee
C. Notice Type: Receipt Notice or Approval Notice
D. Class: Non-immigrant status for which the beneficiary has been approved
E. Valid From: Dates of approved employment
F. Consulate where employee must appear to receive visa