When a UGA department invites an international student-intern to campus, Immigration Services issues two documents- the DS-7002 Internship Training Plan and the form DS-2019, which authorizes the scholar to apply for the J-1 exchange visitor visa at a U.S. embassy. While at UGA, a student-intern may need to request a revised or updated DS-7002 and DS-2019 form, or a new form for accompanying dependents.
The inviting UGA department must initiate the sponsorship process. Contact your sponsoring department to see if they have begun the initial sponsorship process with our office.
Immigration Services has an online portal where departments and student-interns can submit requests for visa sponsorship. This portal is called Compass and can be accessed at compass.uga.edu .
Visa Sponsorship Timeframes
Processing times for J-1 initial processing with consular visa application: 1 to 3 months. Immigration Services Advisors will do their best to expedite every case. We appreciate your patience with delays beyond our control.