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If you wish to come to UAB funded by a scholarship from your home government and/or your personal funds, you must FIRST receive an invitation from a UAB faculty member. Please coordinate with the UAB department which will host you during your stay in order to go through this process. Your UAB faculty sponsor can address any questions to International Education - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

ISSS will be in touch with you regarding the immigration piece of your application later, after we receive confirmation of initial clearance and documents from International Education and your Department.

ISSS is responsible for issuing the Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Status (Form DS-2019), which you will need in order to apply for a J-1 visa (ISSS does not issue visas—only the Department of State can do that). To issue your Form DS-2019, we will need the following documents:

Which category?Forms required
Short-Term Scholar
Research Scholar
Professor
  • pdfJ-1 packet to be completed by you and UAB department
  • Additional documents listed on page 10 of the forms IF APPLICABLE
  • Proof of insurance UPON arrival in the US
Student Intern
  • pdfJ-1 packet to be completed by you and UAB department
  • Additional documents listed on page 10 of the forms IF APPLICABLE
  • Form DS-7002 to be completed by UAB Department
  • Proof of insurance UPON arrival in the US

Proof of Health Insurance

Both US federal regulations and UAB policy require all J-1 exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents to obtain proper health insurance and to present proof to ISSS office.

The US Department of State imposed specific requirements related to the minimum amounts covered by the insurance as described below:

The minimum coverage required by the US Federal J-1 Exchange Visitor Program regulations:

  • Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
  • Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
  • Expenses associated with medical evacuation to your home country in the amount of $50,000
  • Deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

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