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Before the OIS can issue the J visa eligibility document (form DS-2019), we must verify there will be sufficient funding to cover the scholar and any accompanying dependents. Dependents are classified as a spouse and/or children under the age of 21.

Funding required to qualify for J-1 sponsorship:

• Minimum of $37,200 per year of J-1 sponsorship
• Minimum of $12,600 for accompanying spouse
• Minimum of $8,100 for each accompanying child

Federal regulations require the UMB to verify that every J‑1 Exchange Visitor has sufficient English proficiency to participate fully in their program and function independently in the United States.

UMB accepts several methods for demonstrating English proficiency. Scholars must meet one of the options below and provide the required documentation.

Citizenship Exemption

Scholars are exempt if they are citizens of one of the following English‑speaking countries:

Anguilla, Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (English‑speaking; not Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Eswatini, Gambia, Ghana, Grand Turks and Caicos Islands, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Montserrat, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa (English‑speaking; not Afrikaans), St. Kitts‑Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Education-Based Exemptions

Degree Earned in the U.S. or an Eligible English‑Speaking Country

Scholars who have completed a degree at an accredited institution in the United States or in one of the countries listed above qualify for this exemption.

Degree Earned in a Program Where English Is the Primary Language of Instruction

This applies even if the degree was earned in a country not listed above. The institution must confirm that English is the primary language of instruction for the school or the specific program.

Currently Enrolled in a Program Taught in English

Scholars currently enrolled in an English‑medium degree program may qualify with documentation from their home institution.

Standardized English Language Tests

If a scholar does not meet any exemption above, they may demonstrate proficiency through one of the following tests. Scores must meet the minimum requirement and be no more than two years old.

• Duolingo English Test: 115
• TOEFL iBT: 80
• TOEFL PBT: 550
• IELTS: 7.0 overall band score

Maryland English Institute Proficiency Interview

Scholars may complete an English proficiency interview through the Maryland English Institute (MEI). The interview requires purchasing a $100 voucher on the MEI website and scheduling an appointment. MEI sends the results directly to OIS.

The below information applies to all requests for Research Scholars, Professors, and Short-Term Scholars who are new to UMB (i.e. outside the US or transferring their J-1 status from another US institution). Please review the " for in-depth instructions.  

1. Login to . Need access? See "Gain Host Department Access to Sunapsis".
2. Follow procedures to Add a New Person in Sunapsis.
3. Select the "J-1 New Scholar Request" link.
4. Complete the short "Initiate Request" e-form.
5. Complete and submit the Department Activity Information and Site(s) of Activity Information forms. See list of documents you will be required to upload below.
   • Refer to the J-1 Start Date and Request Submission Timeline PDF and build in additional time for the request to be submitted.
6. Grant scholar access to the Scholar Biographical Information form.
   • Only do this after submitting the required department forms. The lock on the form will disappear when all required department e-forms are submitted, allowing you to enter the form. At the top, select "GIVE THE CLIENT ACCESS TO COMPLETE THIS SECTION" and then enter the email address of the scholar. 
   • You may send the J-1 Applicant Document Checklist to the scholar, allowing them to prepare their documents while you are working on the department forms.
7. Scholar will complete their forms and route the request to OIS for review. You will receive an email when each form is submitted.
8. OIS processing time is ten business days.

Department Required Uploads:

• Approved appointment letter.
  • Dental School only: letter from Dr. George approving the request.
• J-1 Scholar Host Department Agreement (new!)
• Approval from the Office of Research and Development (ORD):
  • If the scholar will be a UMB employee, the Deemed Export Control form must be completed by the faculty supervisor and signed by Janet Simons in ORD. Learn more on the Office of Research and Development website.
  • If the scholar will NOT be a UMB employee, the must be completed by all entities (see process on ORD website) and signed by Janet Simons.
• If your department assesses fees to the scholar, the completed Participation Fees Chart is required. If not in the appointment letter, you will also need to provide evidence that the scholar was informed of, and agreed to the participation fees.
  

The J‑1 Student Intern category allows undergraduate students from abroad to come to the U.S. for an internship that fulfills an educational objective for their current degree program.

The request in Sunapsis consists of three forms:

J-1 Student Intern Information

This form needs to be completed by the student. Visit the form, then select "GIVE THE CLIENT ACCESS TO COMPLETE THIS SECTION," enter the student's email address, and submit. An automated email will be sent to them with instructions for completing the form.

J-1 Student Intern Department Request

This form collects basic information about the department hosting the student. You will need to upload:

• Copy of Offer or Invitation letter (SOM, approved appointment required for stays over two months)
• If Student Intern will be on UMB payroll - Deemed Export Control Form. Learn more on the Office of Research and Development website.
• If Student Intern will NOT be on UMB payroll -

J-1 Student Intern Training Plan

Check in with the OIS

All new J-1s at UMB must follow the Sunapsis check-in procedures when they arrive in the U.S.; scholars will receive an email with instructions. If the J-1 fails to submit the check in form, they risk automatic inactivation of the J-1 SEVIS record.

J-1 Orientation

The OIS offers J-1 pre-arrival and post-arrival orientations monthly to new UMB scholars. These programs assist new scholars as they prepare to travel and to acclimate to the University, Baltimore, and the United States. Topics covered include applicable immigration regulations, office and University services, concepts of cross-cultural communication, housing information, and community resources. The goal of this program is to provide opportunities for new scholars to meet each other and the OIS staff and to give them information they need to settle and be productive in their activities at the University.

Registration is available on our Events and Workshops page.

Notification of Delay or Cancellation

If a scholar will be unable to arrive to UMB by the start date on the DS-2019, you will need to complete the “Change Start Date or Request Cancellation” e-form in Sunapsis. It is the department's responsibility to update the dean's office/other relevant campus entities of changes to appointment dates.

By notifying the OIS of the expected delay in arrival, we can amend the incoming J-1's start date to ensure the SEVIS record will remain in good standing.

Scholars Not Employed by UMB

If a scholar is joining your department but will not be employed by UMB, you will need to complete the affiliate process for the individual to get a One Card on campus. The OIS is not responsible for completing this process.

Use this e-form group to extend a current scholar in your department. You can also request an amendment to their program (i.e. site of activity, change in title, change in funding, etc.)

J-1 Scholar Extension/Amendment - Send to J-1 Scholar E-form

This e-form needs to be routed to the scholar. Enter into the form and select "GIVE THE CLIENT ACCESS TO COMPLETE THIS SECTION" at the top. Then enter the scholar's email address. If the scholar needs to demonstrate funding or additional funding to support themselves during the extension period, they will upload it here.

You will receive an email when the scholar has submitted the form.

Department E-form:

• Appointment renewal letter
• Dental School only - letter from Dr. George approving the request
• If scholar is a UMB employee - the Deemed Export Control form signed by Janet Simons in the Office of Research and Development is required
• If scholar is not a UMB employee - the signed by Janet Simons in the Office of Research and Development is required