Scholars

If you are outside the US:

• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee 
• Make an appointment for a J-1 visa at a US Embassy or Consulate.
• After receiving the visa stamp in your passport, make arrangements to arrive in Florida.  Tampa International Airport is the closest airport.
• You and any J-2 dependents may enter the US up to thirty (30) days before program start date on the DS-2019.

If you are inside the US:

• OIS will work with your J-1 program sponsor to arrange transfer of your SEVIS record to USF. 
• Your category, subject/field code, and program objective cannot change. 
• USF will not have access to the SEVIS record to produce the final DS-2019 until you arrive at USF.

The university does not place scholars into housing. Make arrangements using the links below: 

• On-campus housing resources: 
  
  • Visiting scholar apartments
  • Summer Conference Housing

• Off-campus housing resources: 
  • Short-term Stay Properties
  • USF Off Campus Partners
  • Non-USF website that offer USF discounts
  • Short term or temporary accommodation in area hotels 

Mandatory Document Check  

• Once you have completed the required e-forms, please email j1visa@usf.edu to arrange a Document Check. We will then schedule a virtual meeting via Teams to review your uploaded documents. 
• During Document Check, OIS will “activate” your SEVIS record.   
• Two days (48 hours) after SEVIS activation, you can apply for an SSN number at the local SSA office. See the J Scholar Social Security Information handout for more information.
• After Document Check and after applying for your SSN, you may complete Right Start with Human Resources if you are employed at USF and any department on-boarding. 

Mandatory Orientation  

• OIS conducts Scholar Orientation, normally on the second Tuesday of each month.   
• Scholars are required to attend the next available session.   
• Dependents are welcome to attend the orientation. 

 

• During your first week with your new USF department you should be provided with your University ID Number (U Number) and a Net ID. Once you have your U Number, login to iStart and complete the Update your U Number E-Form to complete the scholar checklist. This step is mandatory in order to allow you to access iStart resources as a continuing scholar at USF.

• OIS offers a full range of activities for scholars and their families during their stay at USF.  Scholars are notified via email. 
• Departments are expected to include scholars in departmental meetings and events.
• Please review the guide to USF Libraries resources and services for Visiting Scholars to the University of South Florida.