Skip to content

Immigration & Visas

 

Typically, exchange students enter the U.S. on a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa (rather than on an F-1 student visa). This requires payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee ($220 as of July 2024, but subject to change) and scheduling a visa appointment at your local U.S. embassy or consulate. After you are admitted to CSUSB, the CSUSB Education Abroad Office will provide the DS-2019 forms to your university exchange coordinator. You must have both a valid J-1 visa and the DS-2019 to enter the U.S. See our international student visa FAQs
 

Duration of Status/Extension of Stay

J-1 students are granted a Duration of Status (D/S) which allows them to stay in the U.S. until the date shown on the DS-2019 Form. If an extension of stay is required, the student must contact the Office of Education Abroad (goabroad@csusb.edu) at least two months before the expiration.


Travel Out of the U.S.

To enter the U.S. in J-1 status, a student is required to have a copy of the DS-2019 signed by CSUSB. In addition, a student needs a valid visa stamp to re-enter the U.S. If the visa stamp has expired, the student is required to apply for a new visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
 

Employment and Academic Training

As a J-1 Exchange Visitor, a student may be eligible for a variety of work opportunities - including internships and academic training - in the United States, but a J-1 student must obtain approval in writing before commencing any type of employment or unpaid professional activity in the U.S. Before approval, the Responsible Officer is obligated to evaluate the proposed activity in the context of the program and the student's personal circumstances, and then decide whether it would be appropriate or not to recommend employment. Employment, internships, and academic training are not guaranteed but may be considered case by case.


Dual Nationality

CSUSB does not accept dual citizens of the U.S. and other countries as exchange students.


Service Request Form

If you are an admitted or current student and you require assistance with an immigration service, submit a service request
 

See our international student visa FAQs for more information.