Global Education Office

The Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) was established by the U.S. Congress under The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.

According to the Act, the purpose of EVP is to:

• Promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange;
• Strengthen the ties which unite [the United States] with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations, and the contributions being made toward a peaceful and more fruitful life for people throughout the world; and,
• Promote international cooperation for educational and cultural advancement; and Assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.

 

 Authority Citation: 22 USC 33

The EVP is administered by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) in partnership with designated non-governmental agencies, such as colleges and universities.

Since 2021, DOS has used the name BridgeUSA refer to the EVP in some marketing and promotional materials.

The information at this VCU website is intended to support institutional and individual compliance with the EVP regulations. 

Therefore, the term EVP (rather than BridgeUSA) is used throughout this website.

Official DOS information about the EVP/BridgeUSA is online at https://j1visa.state.gov/

The J-1 visa is one of the many visa classifications in the U.S. immigration system.   DOS has designated the J-1 visa for the exclusive use of EVP participants.

Yes. VCU participates in the EVP and DOS has authorized VCU to sponsor eligible international students, scholars, and other official visitors for J-1 visas.  

 

Individual participants in the EVP are called Exchange Visitors. 

Since the J-1 visa is unique to the EVP, a common, alternative term for an Exchange Visitor is J-1 visa holder.

Throughout the information here the terms Exchange Visitor and J-1 visa holder are used interchangeably.

There are 13 categories of J-1 visa corresponding to the Exchange Visitor’s intended activity in the U.S.  

DOS has authorized VCU to sponsor J-1 visas in the following 6 categories only:

1. Professor
2. Research Scholar
3. Short-Term Scholar
4. Trainee
5. Intern
6. Student (College and University)

Each J-1 category has its own eligibility and funding requirements, maximum duration, VCU sponsorship process, timeline, and costs—all of which are discussed below.

Other J-1 categories (not available for VCU sponsorship) include Teacher; Secondary School Student; Specialist; Physician; Camp Counselor; Au Pair; and Summer Work Travel.  

In the U.S. immigration system, there are two types of student visa.  

F-1 is the standard, most common student visa.   The majority of international students in the U.S. are on F-1 visas sponsored by their schools.

The J-1 Student category visa authorizes the Exchange Visitor to study in the U.S.

The F-1 and J-1 Student visas are not interchangeable and the eligibility requirements of the visas varies significantly.

The J-1 Student category is discussed below.

The purpose of the EVP is to promote cultural and educational exchange between the people of the U.S. and people from other countries. 

Such exchange may include employment under certain conditions but it does not require employment.  This means that a J-1 visa is not an employment visa, per se.

DOS does not allow Exchange Visitors to hold jobs in the U.S. that are either primarily administrative or permanent.  

Many Exchange Visitors at VCU receive the funding required for their activity from VCU, including as employees. 

Exchange Visitors whose funding is not provided by VCU can be referred to as “self-funded” Exchange Visitors, and their funding can be come from a variety of non-VCU sources.  

The J-1 visa funding minimum is discussed below.

Regardless of their J-1 category, every Exchange Visitor needs to obtain a Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status from their J-1 visa sponsor.

Form DS-2019 is a controlled, numbered U.S. government document containing information about the Exchange Visitor’s intended activity—in this case, their activity at VCU.

An Exchange Visitor’s DS-2019 is provided to them by their J-1 sponsor.   The form is not otherwise available to the public.

An Exchange Visitors needs a DS-2019 to:

1. Apply for a J-1 visa stamp from a U.S. consulate outside the U.S. (this step is not required for citizens of Canada);
2. Travel to the U.S. and ask Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to admit them in J-1 status (this step is required of all Exchange Visitors, including citizens of Canada).
3. Start their activity at VCU. If the Exchange Visitor will be employed by VCU, their DS-2019 may be required as part of the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification process.

A VCU DS-2019 will be prepared for, and issued to, an eligible Exchange Visitor as part of the university’s J-1 visa sponsorship process.  VCU’s J-1 sponsorship process is discussed below. 

At VCU:

• All DS-2019s for the Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Trainee, and Intern categories are prepared by GEO only.
• Most DS-2019s issued in the Student category are prepared by International Admissions, but some are prepared by GEO.

If the Exchange Visitor will be at VCU to teach, research, or receive post-graduate training, they will need a DS-2019 marked for one of the following J-1 visa categories:

• Professor
• Researcher
• Short-Term Scholar
• Trainee

These J-1 visa categories are separate categories, but they are sufficiently similar in key respects that they can be addressed together here for informational purposes. 

Eligibility

• Have a Bachelor’s degree (or the U.S. equivalent) in a field relevant to their area of teaching, research, or training. (A higher degree may be required depending on the nature of the intended activity.)
• Have a VCU job offer or affiliate appointment for university level teaching, lectures, research, or training.
• Limits and Exclusions:
  • If the activity is in the health care field (including medicine, nursing, dentistry, psychology, and pharmacy) the activity cannot include patient contact even under supervision of a licensed provider.
  • The activity cannot consist of more than 20% administrative duties.
  • The Exchange Visitor may enroll in or audit 1 course per semester but only if the course is relevant to their activity. Written GEO authorization approval is required before enrollment.   VCU tuition and academic fees may apply at out-of-state rates.   

Duration

• For Professor, Researcher, and Trainee: Minimum duration 21 days, maximum duration 5 years.
• For Short-Term Scholar: Minimum duration 21 days, maximum duration 6 months.

Funding Minimum: See below “What is the J-1 visa funding minimum?”

Medical Insurance: See below “What is the J-1 medical insurance requirement?”

English Proficiency: See below “English Proficiency”.

VCU Process and Timeline

Step 1: Two to six months before the Exchange Visitor is expected to start their activity at VCU, the Human Resources (HR) manager in their VCU hiring department must email GEO to initiate the J-1 visa sponsorship process for them.

GEO needs to work with the HR manager first, before bringing the Exchange Visitor into the J-1 visa sponsorship process. The timeline is not absolute but the less time allowed for the J-1 visa sponsorship process, the more likely the Exchange Visitor will not be able to start their VCU activity in a timely way.

Step 2: GEO will prepare a DS-2019 for the Exchange Visitor and send it to them by FedEx with instructions for use.  (DOS does not allow DS-2019 forms to be provided by email.)

Step 3: After the Exchange Visitor receives their DS-2019 from GEO, they can apply for a J-1 visa stamp at a U.S. consulate abroad.   Consulate processing times vary but are generally in the range of 4 weeks.   J-1 visa applicants from some countries working in fields the U.S. government considers sensitive may be subject to an extended background check (called Administrative Processing) by the consulate.    There is no published list of countries or fields, but the fields seem to include STEM plus medical research.  If the Exchange Visitor is subject to Administrative Processing add 4-6 weeks to the normal consulate processing time.

Step 4: After the Exchange Visitor obtains their J-1 visa stamp from the consulate, they can travel to the U.S., ask CBP to admit them in J-1 status, and start their activity at VCU.

 

GEO Processing Fee

For the J-1 Professor, Researcher, Short-Term Scholar, and Trainee categories, GEO charges a $300 processing fee to cover the costs associated with DS-2019 preparation, shipping, or compliance management.  The GEO processing must be paid by the VCU hiring department (not by the Exchange Visitor).  

Eligibility

• Must be currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a foreign degree- or certificate granting post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. or have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to the start of their J-1 activity at VCU.
• Have a VCU invitation to engage in training under the mentorship of a VCU faculty member.
• Limits and Exclusions:
  • The activity must be for at least 32 hours per week and eligible for worker’s compensation insurance
  • The activity cannot include casual or manual labor or child care duties or aviation or in any way involve a staffing agency or third-party employer.
  • If the activity is in the health care field (including medicine, nursing, dentistry, psychology, and pharmacy) the activity cannot include patient contact even under supervision of a licensed provider.
  • The activity cannot displace a U.S. worker.
  • The activity cannot consist of more than 20% administrative duties.
• The Exchange Visitor may enroll in or audit 1 course per semester but only if the course is relevant to their activity. Written GEO authorization approval is required before enrollment.   VCU tuition and academic fees may apply at out-of-state rates.     
  
  

Duration

• Minimum duration: 3 weeks
• Maximum duration: 12 months
  
  

Funding Minimum: See below “What is the J-1 visa funding minimum?”

Medical Insurance: See below “What is the J-1 medical insurance requirement?”

English Proficiency: See below “English Proficiency”.

VCU Process and Timeline

Step 1: Two to six months before the Exchange Visitor is expected to start their activity at VCU, the Human Resources (HR) manager in their VCU hiring department must email GEO to initiate the J-1 visa sponsorship process for them.

GEO needs to work with the HR manager first, before bringing the Exchange Visitor into the J-1 visa sponsorship process. The timeline is not absolute but the less time allowed for the J-1 visa sponsorship process, the more likely the Exchange Visitor will not be able to start their VCU activity in a timely way.

Step 2: GEO will prepare a DS-2019 for the Exchange Visitor and send it to them by FedEx with instructions for use.  (DOS does not allow DS-2019 forms to be provided by email.)

Step 3: After the Exchange Visitor receives their DS-2019 from GEO, they can apply for a J-1 visa stamp at a U.S. consulate abroad.   Consulate processing times vary but are generally in the range of 4 weeks.   J-1 visa applicants from some countries working in fields the U.S. government considers sensitive may be subject to an extended background check (called Administrative Processing) by the consulate.    There is no published list of countries or fields, but the fields seem to include STEM plus medical research.  If the Exchange Visitor is subject to Administrative Processing add 4-6 weeks to the normal consulate processing time.

Step 4: After the Exchange Visitor obtains their J-1 visa stamp from the consulate, they can travel to the U.S., ask CBP to admit them in J-1 status, and start their activity at VCU.

GEO Processing Fee

GEO does not charge a processing fee for the J-1 Intern category. 

Eligibility

Must be one of the following:

• Exchange Student: Accepted to a VCU program of study under a written exchange agreement between VCU and a foreign university that provides for the one-to-one exchange of students for 1-2 semesters, which includes remission of all VCU tuition and fees. These students are not eligible to receive a VCU degree or certificate.  
• Degree or Certificate Student: Accepted to a VCU degree or certificate program with the majority of funding (in excess of 51%) for the program and cost-of-living expenses provided from a source or sources other than the student’s personal or family funds.

Duration

• Exchange Student: 1 or 2 consecutive semesters (Fall + Spring or Spring + Fall) only.
• Degree or Certificate Student: Duration of the degree or certificate program
  
  

GEO Processing Fee

GEO does not charge a processing fee for the J-1 Student category. 

Funding Minimum: See below “What is the J-1 visa funding minimum?”

Medical Insurance: See below “What is the J-1 medical insurance requirement?”

English Proficiency: See below “English Proficiency”.

 

VCU Process and Timeline

Step 1: Obtain a VCU DS-2019.   Exchange Students: Your home country university must nominate you to participate in an exchange program with VCU.   If you are accepted by VCU into the exchange program, you will receive information about obtaining a VCU DS-2019 from GEO.  Degree or Certificate Student:  If you are accepted to a VCU degree or certificate program, you will receive information from International Admissions about obtaining a VCU DS-2019.

Step 2: Either GEO or International Admissions will prepare a DS-2019 for the Exchange Visitor and send it to them by FedEx with instructions for use.  (DOS does not allow DS-2019 forms to be provided by email.)

Step 3: After the Exchange Visitor receives their DS-2019 from GEO, they can apply for a J-1 visa stamp at a U.S. consulate abroad.  Consulate processing times vary but are generally in the range of 4 weeks. J-1 visa applicants from some countries working in fields the U.S. government considers sensitive may be subject to an extended background check (called Administrative Processing) by the consulate. There is no published list of countries or fields, but the fields seem to include STEM plus medical research.  If the Exchange Visitor is subject to Administrative Processing add 4-6 weeks to the normal consulate processing time.

Step 4: After the Exchange Visitor obtains their J-1 visa stamp from the consulate, they can travel to the U.S., ask CBP to admit them in J-1 status, and start their studies at VCU.

Under the J-1 regulations, Exchange Visitors must have funding to cover the cost-of-living (COL) for their activity in the U.S.

COL includes: Housing and food; transportation; medical insurance; personal maintenance; and dependent costs (if any).

As a J-1 visa sponsor, VCU must:

• Estimate the COL for an Exchange Visitor in the Richmond, Virginia area, applicable to all Exchange Visitors regardless of J-1 visa category, duration of activity, etc.
• Require Exchange Visitors to provide reliable documentation to VCU showing that they have secured the funds needed to cover the COL for the duration of their DS-2019.
  
  

The Exchange Visitor will be required to provide the same (or similar) reliable documentation to the U.S. consulate at the time they apply for their J-1 visa stamp.  

The current (2024) VCU J-1 funding minimums are as follows:

$2,100 per month for the J-1 visa holder
$600 per month for each J-2 visa dependent in the U.S.
Example: For a DS-2019 of 1 year's duration, an EV would need to provide GEO with reliable documentation showing that they have $2,100 x 12 months = $25,200; for a DS-2019 of 2 years' duration $2,100 x 24 months = $50,400; etc.

Notes:

• The estimated COL is the bare minimum required for VCU J-1 visa sponsorship. Actual COL varies by Exchange Visitor and may in many cases be higher than the estimated COL.
• The amounts above are shown in U.S. dollars
• The funding documentation can reflect amounts in U.S. dollars or foreign currency equivalents based on the current rate-of-exchange     
• Funding Sources—one or more of the following:
  • VCU funds
  • Exchange Visitor’s home country government or home institution funds
  • Exchange Visitor’s personal or family funds

The spouse and children (under age 21) of an EV are eligible to apply for J-2 dependent visas.   Along with their J-1 principal, each J-2 dependent needs their own DS-2019 in order to apply for J-2 visas. 

The J-1 regulations require each Exchange Visitor to possess English language skills (reading, writing, and verbal communication) sufficient to engage in their intended activity at VCU and to conduct routine adult transactions such as casual conversations, shopping, banking, transportation, etc.  

The J-1 regulations also require the J-1 visa sponsor (in this case, VCU) to objectively determine that the Exchange Visitor has the required English language skills before sponsoring them for a J-1 visa.  [Reference: 22 CFR 62.10(a)(2)]

For J-1 visas in the Research, Teaching, Training, and Intern categories, the determination that the Exchange Visitor possesses the required English language skills is made and certified to GEO by the Exchange Visitor’s VCU faculty supervisor at the time the department requests J-1 visa sponsorship for the Exchange Visitor.

For J-1 visas in Student category for exchange students, the determination is made by GEO’s Associate Director of Global Learning during the student’s application to VCU’s exchange student program.

For J-1 visas in Student category for exchange students, the determination is made by VCU’s International Admissions team during the student’s application to a degree or certificate program.

The only exception to the English language proficiency requirement is for a J-1 visa in the Student category for a student 100% of whose VCU studies will be in the English Language Program (ELP).

The J-1 regulations require each J-1 visa holder (and each family member with them in the U.S. in J-2 status) to be covered by medical insurance for the duration of their time in J-1 status (and J-2) status.

The J-1 medical insurance requirement; the minimum level of coverage; and the quality of the policy are not optional.   They are defined in U.S. law at 22 CFR 62.14.

Each J-1 visa holder is responsible for complying with the medical insurance requirement. 

Noncompliance with the J-1 medical insurance requirement can lead to loss of J-1 status (difficult and costly for you to resume).

Please review the following information carefully.

 

Required Minimum Level of Coverage

Medical insurance compliant with the J-1 regulations must provide at least the following levels of coverage for each insured person:

• Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
• In the event of death, repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
• Expenses associated with medical evacuation to the exchange visitor’s home country in the amount of $50,000
• Deductibles cannot exceed $500 per accident or illness

 

Required Minimum Quality of the Policy

Medical insurance compliant with the J-1 regulations must meet at least one of the following minimum quality standards:

• Underwritten by an insurance corporation with an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above, an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-I" or above, a Standard and Poor's Claims Paying Ability rating of "A-" or above, or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above.
• Backed by the full faith and credit of the Exchange Visitor’s home country government.
• Part of a health benefits program offered on a group basis to employees or enrolled students by a designated sponsor.
• Offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization or eligible Competitive Medical Plan as determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
• Federal, state or local government agencies; state colleges and universities; and public community colleges may, if permitted by law, self-insure any or all of the above-required insurance coverage.

The J-1 medical insurance requirement applies equally to all J-1 categories: Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Trainee, Intern and Student.

However, your options for how to comply with the J-1 medical insurance requirement varies based on your J-1 category.

Please review the following information carefully.

J-1 Categories: Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Trainee, or Intern

If you will be a salaried VCU employee and eligible for state employee health coverage through the university:

• Salaried 9/10/12-month faculty, University and Academic Professionals, Postdoctoral Scholar-Fellows who are employees of the university, and classified staff are eligible for state employee health coverage through the university. (Please note: Some plan options have a zero-employee premium and some have a required premium that is deducted from your paycheck. If you are eligible for state employee health coverage as an employee and you choose a plan that has a required employee premium, you will be charged the premium as a payroll deduction.)  Other employee types and non-employees are not eligible for state employee health coverage through the university.
• None of the state health plan options fully satisfy the J-1 medical insurance requirements.
• Two of the state health plan options satisfy the J-1 requirements of medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness and deductibles not exceeding $500 per accident or illness: COVA Care and Kaiser Permanente HMO. (The other available state plans do not satisfy this requirement.)
• For instructions on how to enroll in a VCU state employee health plan, please go to: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/enroll-in-benefits/
• None of the state plans available to VCU employees satisfy the J-1 requirement to provide for medical evacuation to your home country or repatriation of remains.
• If you choose either COVA Care or Kaiser Permanente HMO for your health coverage, you must obtain (at your own expense) extra insurance to satisfy the medical evacuation and repatriation of remains requirement. For information about obtaining extra insurance for this requirement, please email: intlhealthins@vcu.edu.
• You are not required to choose a state health plan through VCU to satisfy the J-1 medical insurance requirement, but you must still satisfy the J-1 medical insurance requirement.   For information about obtaining medical insurance outside of VCU, please email: intlhealthins@vcu.edu.
• For information about obtaining medical insurance outside of VCU, please email: intlhealthins@vcu.edu.
  
  

If you will not be a VCU employee or eligible for university medical insurance:

• You must buy (at your own expense) non-VCU medical insurance that satisfies the J-1 medical insurance requirement.
• For information about buying J-1 medical insurance, please email: intlhealthins@vcu.edu.

 

J-1 Student: Exchange Student or Degree/Certificate Student

• VCU requires all students (domestic and international) to have medical insurance.
• VCU offers a medical insurance plan for students.   The plan is called United Healthcare Student Resources and it satisfies the J-1 requirements of medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness and deductibles not exceeding $500 per accident or illness.
• United Healthcare Student Resources does not satisfy the J-1 requirement to provide for medical evacuation or repatriation of remains.
• Enrollment in United Healthcare Student Resources is automatic for all students.  The plan is not “free” to students or included in your VCU tuition or other fees. 
• If you want to remain enrolled in United Healthcare Student Resources, the cost of the plan will appear on your VCU student bill.
• You are not required to choose United Healthcare Student Resources, but you must still satisfy both the J-1 medical insurance requirement and VCU's student health insurance requirement.   For information about obtaining non-VCU medical insurance, please email: intlhealthins@vcu.edu.
• If you do not want to remain enrolled in United Healthcare Student Resources, you must proactively “opt out” (quit) the plan by submitting proof that you are enrolled in an alternative plan that satisfies VCU's waiver requirements. For information about the waiver requirements, please email: intlhealthins@vcu.edu.
• Since United Healthcare Student Resources does not include coverage for medical evacuation or repatriation of remains, if you choose to stay in the plan you must buy (at your own expense) extra insurance to satisfy the medical evacuation and repatriation of remains requirement.   For information about obtaining extra insurance for this requirement, please email: intlhealthins@vcu.edu.

 

Is there a deadline for obtaining J-1 medical insurance?

Yes. Your J-1 medical insurance must be effective:

• Starting with the From date in box 2 of your DS-2019
• Until the To date in box 2 of your DS-2019

Example:

If the From date on your DS-2019 is June 15, 2022, and the To date is June 14, 2024, you must be covered by J-1 medical insurance from June 15, 2022-June 14, 2024.  

Note:  The date you enroll in your J-1 medical insurance might not be the same as the effective date of the insurance. If there is a gap between these dates, you must obtain extra insurance to cover the gap.

 

Does VCU monitor my compliance with the J-1 medical insurance requirement?

Yes.  You will be asked to provide GEO with proof of J-1 medical insurance:

1. Upon your arrival at VCU in J-1 status, and
2. When you request J-1 visa support from GEO. For example: DS-2019 travel signature, DS-2019 replacement or renewal, DS-2019s for dependents, etc.

 

What happens if I don’t comply with the J-1 medical insurance requirement?

Noncompliance with the J-1 medical insurance requirement can lead to loss of J-1 status (difficult and costly for you to resume).

The J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa. This means you cannot intend to use your J-1 visa to remain in the U.S. permanently. Having immigrant intent (the intent to remain in the U.S. permanently) can negatively affect your J-1 status. For information about Immigrant Intent, please go to https://global.vcu.edu/students/immigration/immigrant-intent/

Some (not all) Exchange Visitors are subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement of the J-1 regulations. 

The requirement is set forth in section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) and is often referred to as INA 212(e) or just 212(e).

Who is subject to 212(e)?

If any of the following are true for an Exchange Visitor, they will be subject to 212(e).

• Government Funded Exchange. The Exchange Visitor’s program in the U.S. is funded in whole or in part directly or indirectly by the U.S. government or the government of the Exchange Visitor’s nationality or last residence.
• Graduate Medical Education and Training. The Exchange Visitor entered the U.S. to receive graduate medical education or training.
• Specialized Knowledge or Skill. The Exchange Visitor is a national or permanent resident of a country which has deemed the field of specialized knowledge or skill necessary to the development of the country, as shown on the EVP Skills List.  The latest (2009) version of the EVP Skills List is at https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2009/04/30/E9-9657/2009-revised-exchange-visitor-skills-list
  
  

Who decides if an Exchange Visitor is subject to 212(e)?

The determination that an Exchange Visitor is subject to 212(e) is made by the U.S. consulate at the time the Exchange Visitor applies for a J-1 visa stamp.  

What is the impact of being subject to 212(e)?

If an Exchange Visitor is subject to 212(e), they must return to their home country for a cumulative total period of at least two years before they can do any of the following:

• Change U.S. immigration status while in the U.S. to the H-1B or L-1 visa classifications.
• Adjust status while in the U.S. to Permanent Resident (green card holder).
• Receive an immigrant visa stamp from a U.S. consulate
• Receive an H-1B, L-1, or K-1 visa stamp from a U.S. consulate.
  
  

Can I obtain a waiver from 212(e) (sometimes called a J-1 waiver)?  

If an Exchange Visitor is unable to fulfill the requirement, they may apply for a U.S. government waiver from it.   Information about applying for a J-1 waiver is at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange/waiver-of-the-exchange-visitor.html

 

When should I apply for a J-1 waiver?

Applying for, and receiving, a U.S. government waiver from 212(e) can be construed as immigrant intent on your part.  

On the other hand, it is simply a fact that some Exchange Visitors who are subject to 212(e) do apply for, and receive, J-1 waivers from the U.S government.   

If the U.S. government approves your J-1 waiver application, you will no longer be eligible for most J-1 visa benefits, including DS-2019 travel signature, DS-2019 replacement or renewal, etc.

 

Most EVs at VCU have J-1 visas sponsored by VCU, but some do not.  

For example, VCU international students and scholars who receive Fulbright funding are sponsored for their J-1 visas not by VCU but by another entity, such as DOS itself, or by a DOS-contracted organization, such as the Institute of International Education (IIE) or Amideast, etc.

The name of your J-1 sponsor appears on your DS-2019.  

If your J-1 visa is not sponsored by VCU:

• If you have general questions about the J-1 regulations or need support for your visit to VCU (housing, orientation activities, etc.), please contact GEOIS@vcu.edu
• You must ultimately seek J-1 guidance and support from your J-1 sponsor (not VCU)