Application Timeline
If you have any questions, your U.S. hospital department must act as the liaison with our office until PIPS sends the DS-2019 to you. |
Here is a timeline of the steps you must take to get J-1 visa sponsorship.
3-5 Months Before
- The U.S. hospital department will provide you with online application instructions to generate a DS-2019 (J visa eligibility document).
- You will complete the visa sponsorship application material. The U.S. hospital department will review the request.
- Ask your U.S. hospital department about their internal processing times. Each U.S. hospital department requires days or weeks of internal administrative procedures before they submit application forms to PIPS. After the U.S. hospital’s internal administrative procedures are complete, they will submit the visa sponsorship application to the PIPS.
If you would like to make travel plans before you receive your DS-2019, please confirm the date that your paperwork was delivered to PIPS with your U.S. hospital department. Processing time to issue a Form DS-2019 is approximately 1 month after a complete file has been received at PIPS from your U.S. hospital department. Faster DS-2019 processing times are not possible.
If you need to purchase airplane tickets in advance, purchase only refundable/flexible tickets to enter the U.S. PIPS cannot process a DS-2019 earlier for those who have purchased non-refundable airplane tickets, rented an apartment, etc.
- Ask your U.S. hospital for your lab site address and identify Boston-area neighborhoods to live in.
- Confirm that your passport is valid at least 6 months beyond your expected arrival in the U.S. If your spouse and/or children will accompany you, also confirm their passport validity.
- If you have children less than 5 years old who require daycare, learn more about daycare and join daycare company waitlists.
- If you have children 5-19 years old who have not yet completed secondary school, review schools.
3 Months Before
- Decide whether you want a realtor to help you find an apartment.
When the DS-2019 Has Been Mailed to You
- You will receive a “Visa Guidance” email from PIPS.
- After you receive the DS-2019 package, follow all of the instructions on the Required J-1 Checklist. Not following the exact Checklist instructions may result in the cancellation of your J visa status and government fines.
When You Receive Your Visa*
- Make arrangements to enter the U.S. (purchase a plane ticket, etc.)
- Notify your U.S. hospital department of the date you will arrive in the U.S.
- If you would like to reserve your apartment before you arrive in the U.S., contact your realtor or start searching for an apartment.
- If you will not have an apartment upon arrival in the U.S., reserve a hotel room.
- Review U.S. banking options and how you plan to transfer or access money.
- Notify your credit card companies, bank, cell/mobile phone company, and other relevant businesses in your home country of your move to the U.S.
When You Arrive in the U.S.
- Review the Required J-1 Checklist to confirm that you completed all items. Not following the exact Checklist instructions may result in the cancellation of your J visa status and government fines.
- Notify your U.S. hospital department of your arrival. They will provide you with onboarding information (such as hospital computer login/password, email, hospital ID, etc.).
*Canadian citizens do not need to obtain a visa from the American Embassy/Consulate.