You are here: American University Student Affairs International Student & Scholar Services Invite Scholars

Back to top

Invite International Scholars to AU

If your department would like to host an international scholar, researcher, or faculty member, AU can invite them as a J-1 Exchange Visitor.

It will take time for the Exchange Visitor (EV) to apply for a visa after receiving the DS-2019. We recommended that you begin the process outlined below 3 months before your Exchange Visitor's anticipated arrival to the US. ISSS will prepare the DS-2019 form within 2 weeks of receiving all the required information from the department.

Request DS-2019

Have the prospective EV complete the Exchange Visitor Application Form (PDF), and submit financial documents to you.

Financial Documents

A minimum of $1,600/month must be available to meet the estimated minimum expenses. Exchange Visitors who will not receive financial support from American University must submit current bank statements (in English or accompanied by a notarized translation) or other financial documents verifying their ability to support themselves (and dependents, if applicable) for the duration of their stay in the United States.

Note: A research grant is only acceptable when it: 1) states the period of coverage (e.g., begin and end date or year) and 2) states that the grant is for researching in the US or at American University. Statements of salary from the scholar’s home institution must explicitly state that the scholar will be paid while they are researching at American University.

If the J-1 applicant will be accompanied by dependents, additional support will be required: $5,500/year minimum for spouse, $4,000/year for each child.

Verify the prospective scholar's English proficiency (PDF). Follow departmental and university procedures for obtaining permission to hire faculty or to bring scholars to your department.

Send a memorandum via the hiring unit's Dean/Director to the Dean of Academic Affairs requesting an official scholar appointment. Please note that a J-1 Professor or Research Scholar cannot be a candidate for a tenure track position.

Upload the packet with the DS-2019 Request Form for Scholars (PDF) via iEagle to start the DS-2019 process.

ISSS will have the Form DS-2019 ready within 2 weeks of receipt of all required information from the department.

After ISSS Issues DS-2019

As of April 27, 2023, the Depatment of State allows sponsors to electronically transmit DS-2019. With this change, ISSS will send DS-2019 directly to scholars via iEagle. 

The EV will receive an email from ISSS with instructions on how to download, print, and sign their DS-2019 to take with them to their J- visa interview and to enter the U.S.

See the Pre- & Post-Arrival Guide (PDF) for the host department's responsibilities and helpful travel and visa information.

The department is required to: 

  1. Provide Exchange Visitors with orientation to the academic unit and university resources.
  2. Help Exchange Visitor create university log-in on the MyAU Portal and obtain an AU ID.
  3. Direct Exchange Visitor to ISSS for required immigration check-in after arrival.

The department is responsible for ensuring that:

  1. The Exchange Visitor is engaged in scholarly activities.
  2. Program is completed successfully.
  3. Confirm the information provided on the Program Completion form in a timely manner. This form will be initiated via iEagle by the J-1 scholar and forwarded to the Program Coordinator for approval.