J1 student visa

A Canadian citizen is not required to obtain a visa to study or participate in an exchange program in the United States. They are instead expected to secure a J-1 visa status. The difference between the status and the visa is that Canadian citizens don’t need to visit the United States consular office in Canada for any visa interview before proceeding to the United States.

They are, however, expected to obtain the Form DS-2019 “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange students (J-1) Status” from the student exchange program they plan to attend. Upon receiving the Form DS-2019, the student will be registered with SEVIS, the student tracking system. They will be assigned a SEVIS number and must pay a SEVIS registration fee. They will be expected to provide this form to the immigration office before they enter the U.S to begin their exchange program in the United States.

The SEVIS fee must be paid at least 3 days before students with Canadian citizenship cross the border and enter the U.S. Where this payment has not been made, the visitor will have to re-enter a second time.

Whether the visitor enters by land or by air, the following are the documents that must be presented at the point of entry:

• A valid Canadian passport;
• The original Form DS-2019 certificate;
• A valid proof of the payment of the SEVIS fee;
• Proof of ability to pay school fees and living expenses in the United States;
• Proof of ties to Canada. The evidence can include an offer of employment, money, or other assets in Canada plans on how your education/work in the U.S. will help your career in your home country, family and property ties, etc.
• Entry into the United States can begin from not earlier than 30 days to the commencement of the exchange program.

The form, known as the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status,” is the fundamental document for the visitor program. It permits a candidate for the visitor program to officially begin obtaining an exchange visitor visa status to enter the United States.

The approved sponsor issues the form to the selected candidates participating in their exchange visitor program. The form contains some information filled in by the sponsor before the participant is given. The visitor must have received this form before receiving the required permission to enter the United States.

The DS-2019 contains information that identifies the sponsor and the visitor. It gives a summary description of the program. The information contained in the form may include the date of commencement and completion, the category of exchange, and an estimate of the cost of the exchange program.

Inquiries about the form should be directed to the sponsor. The sponsor’s contact information, including the name and telephone number, can be found on the Form DS-2019. The sponsor will best handle all questions about the Form DS-2019. They are responsible for guiding candidates on visitor program matters.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is domiciled within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS). It is web-based and maintains information about J-1 visa Exchange Visitor Program participants in the United States (and their J-2 dependents), F-1 and M-1 students studying in the United States (and their F-2 and M-2 dependents), Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools in the United States, and the United States Department of State approved Exchange Visitor Program sponsors.

SEVP-certified schools use SEVIS to issue Form DS-2019, “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status,” to non-immigrant visitors and their accompanying dependents. Through SEVIS, the school provides information regarding student addresses, courses of study, enrollment, employment, and compliance with the terms of their student or Exchange Visitor status. They can also transfer the visitor SEVIS records to other institutions.