Wanderlust World Wanderlust World Obtain the DS-2019 form, otherwise known as your "Certificate of Eligibility," from your sponsoring institution. Your sponsoring institution will enter your information into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). They will then provide you with a copy of this form. If you have not received your DS-2019 form, contact your sponsoring institution directly.
Obtain your DS-7002 form if you are participating in a trainee or intern program. Your sponsoring program will provide you with this form if it is required.
Pay the SEVIS fee at least three days before you plan on crossing the border. SEVIS fees are one-time fees that the US government collects to cover the administrative costs of SEVIS. As of time of publication, these fees range from $0 to $180, depending on the type of program. Some sponsoring institutions pay these fees on behalf of the applicant. To pay these fees yourself, direct your browser to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program website (see Resources). Click on "Proceed to I-901 Form and Payment." Fill in all of the required information and submit your payment. Print out your receipt before logging out of the system.
Collect your DS-2019 form, your DS-7002 form (if applicable), your printed SEVIS receipt, your valid Canadian passport, proof of health insurance, proof of available funds and proof of ties to Canada. Your passport serves as proof of your identity and citizenship. Be advised that your Canadian health insurance is not, in some cases, adequate to meet the insurance requirement. Most institutions have a mandatory health care plan that you must participate in: this satisfies the proof of insurance. To prove that you have adequate funds for your stay in the U.S., you can provide bank or credit card statements or a letter from your parents guaranteeing financial support. When you provide proof of your ties to Canada, immigration officers will be ensuring that you intend to return to Canada after your J-1 status expires. Proof of ties to Canada can be family or economic.
Place all of these documents in your carry-on bag, purse, briefcase, back pack or computer case so that you have access to them at all times.
Head to the border. You can cross the border by air or road transportation. J-1 visitors can cross the border up to 30 days before their program begins.
Obtain an I-94 form, otherwise known as an Admission/Departure Record. Fill in the required information on this form.
Hand the I-94 form, your DS-2019 form and your passport to the immigration officer.
Answer all of the officer's questions honestly and provide her with the other documents, such as proof of insurance and prove of funds, when she asks for them.
Collect all of your documents from the immigration officer.
Check the bottom of the I-94 form to make sure it has "J-1" and "D/S" on it. These notations indicate that you can stay in the U.S. for the duration of your J-1 program. If your I-94 form does not contain these indications, speak with an immigration officer before leaving the inspection area.