Invitation Procedures

It is important to note the following when making a request to UMaine to assume sponsorship of your J-1 Exchange Visitor:

The fees associated with this request are: $367- Department of State processing fee and $250 Office of International Programs (OIP) administrative fee. Payments accepted by:
- Check- payable in the full amount ($617) to the University of Maine.
- Online by credit card– payment processing fees are $23 which increases the total charge to $640. Online payments can be submitted here.
It can take up to two weeks for the Office of International Programs (OIP) to process your request and forward it to the Department of State.
It can take anywhere from 1 week to 1 month for the Department of State to process the request. OIP has limited authority to expedite this process.
The Department of State has sole discretion over whether or not to grant permission to OIP to issue a DS2019 J-1 Exchange Visitor document. Fees are nonrefundable in the event that permission is not granted
Once a DS2019 is issued the J-1 Exchange Visitor must apply at a US Consulate abroad for a J-1 visa. The Department of Sate has sole discretion over whether or not to grant or deny a visa. Processing fees are nonrefundable in the event that a visa is denied
Once your Exchange Visitor arrives in the US he/she must check in with OIP. We need copies of the Exchange Visitor’s passport, visa, DS2019 and a current residential address in the US.
If you have any questions about this application process please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Joughin at 207-581-3425.

To Request Visa Documents for a J-1 Exchange Visitor at your institution:

1. Assemble and upload the following documents using the upload function found at the bottom of the form below.

Complete the J-1 Exchange Visitor Department Request Form
Request for Sponsorship letter: revise and submit on your school’s letterhead
Documentation of finances showing at least $1500/month (if your school will be paying the scholar)
English proficiency form (included with J-1 EV Request form above)
Copy of Exchange Visitor’s CV or resume;

Exchange Visitors Family Name*

As it appears on his/her passport
Ecxhange Visitor's Other Names*

As it/they appear on his /her passport
Name of requesting institution*
Name of contact person at hosting institution*
Proposed dates of visit*
Date check for associated fees was sent to UMaine*

The Department of State charges a fee of $367 for processing this request. In addition the Office of International Programs charges a administrative fee to cover costs of labor, mailing, etc of $250. Please send one check to cover both fees (total $617) made out to the University of Maine.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Department Request Form*
Max. file size: 3 MB.
Including English Proficiency form
Request for Sponsorship letter*
Max. file size: 3 MB.
Copy of Exchange Visitor's CV or resume*
Max. file size: 3 MB.
Documentation of finances
Max. file size: 3 MB.
Showing at least $1,500/month (if your school will be paying the visitor)
Copy of passport*
Max. file size: 3 MB.