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Office of Global Engagement Office of the Provost

Welcome to the Office of Global Engagement

UAB’s Office of Global Engagement comprises Education Abroad, the English Language Institute, International Admissions, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), International Faculty & Staff Immigration Services (IFSIS), INTO UAB, and the Passport Office. We work closely with multiple other campus partners across all units and schools and coordinate agreements with international institutions to facilitate the successful exchange of ideas and people and widen the global impact and reputation of UAB.

After we receive the necessary documents, the ISSS office will generate a Form DS-2019 for you from the US government’s SEVIS database and mail it to you via UPS or FedEx. You will need the original, blue-ink-signed Form DS-2019 with you to present during your interview with a US consular official before coming to the US.

You can book a visa appointment even before your DS-2019 arrives in the mail by using the SEVIS number and the Program number that was included in your pre-arrival email. An overview of the visa process is available on the US Department of State website, but it is important to check specific instructions for the US Embassy/Consulate where you will apply (visit your particular Embassy/Consulate’s website). You can also review the visa appointment times at various consulates.

Here are the main steps:

  1. Pay the SEVIS Fee before your visa interview
  2. Review the visa appointment wait times at various consulates.
  3. Complete the online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160 (NOTE – The Department of State has a page for DS-160 Frequently Asked Questions)
  4. Pay the Visa Application fee and schedule your visa interview
  5. Prepare your interview and the supporting documents (NOTE – make sure you check the website of the Embassy or Consulate where you will apply to check the requested documents).
Who?Minimum Supporting Documents requested
Primary J-1 applicant
  • Passport
  • Original Form DS-2019
  • Form DS-160 Confirmation Page
  • Visa application fee receipt payment
  • If you are student intern – original DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan
J-2 Dependents (spouse and child(ren) under age 21)
  • Passport for each
  • Original Form DS-2019 for each
  • Proof of relationship with the primary applicant with certified English translation – Marriage certificate / birth certificate(s) / adoption certificate(s)

Canadian Citizens

Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa stamp at a US Embassy or Consulate to enter the US. Canadian citizens will simply need to present the following documents to the Custom and Border Protection (CBP) agent at the port of entry:

After your entry, you will be able to retrieve your electronic arrival record I-94 (I-94 website). Be sure that the I-94 list your entry as “J-1” with “D/S” as the “admit until date”. If it is not the case, please contact ISSS at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and send us copies of your passport, entry stamp and I-94.

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