Center for Exchange Visitor Program

The Center for Exchange Visitor Program (CEVP) at the University serves as a clearinghouse in all matters related to the Exchange Visitor Program. The CEVP is housed within the Human Resources Department. It is located in Room 209 of Holy Family Hall on the University’s Philadelphia campus.

Working in consort with the host academic units and schools, the CEVP provides general information about the University, government immigration regulations, compliance guidelines, and American cultural issues that will assist J-1 visa visitors with a smooth transition into academic and social spheres. The CEVP monitors and supports the academic unit responsible for the selection, screening, orientation and placement for all J-1 visa holders. The CEVP handles all data entry related to exchange visitors in the federal web-based technology Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) for J-1 visitors and their dependents through the duration of their approved stay in the United States.

Exchage visiitor programThe CEVP facilitates communication among the four respective academic schools that host foreign nationals in the Exchange Visitor Program. Deans and designated faculty, with extensive international experience, serve as hosts and mentors for exchange visitors during their stay at the University.

This web site and its links to important University publications and applications will help exchange visitor applicants get to the University with appropriate immigration status in compliance with the United States Department of State and Department of Homeland Security regulations. The web site and its publications also provide important information for dependents of J-1 visa participants eligible for the J-2 visa.

The Coordinator of the CEVP is referred to as the Responsible Officer for the Exchange Visitor Program. There are two alternate responsible officers that assist the Responsible Officer in providing all the services available through the CEVP. 

Exchange visitors must always consult the CEVP on immigration matters. Immigration regulations are complex and subject to change. The most recent and accurate information is available in the CEVP. Each scholar or J-1 visa student is responsible for keeping her/his immigration status up-to-date. Exchange visitors are encouraged to contact or communicate with the CEVP:

Holy Family University
Center for Exchange Visitor Program
Human Resources Department
9801 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19114-2009
USA

Telephone: 1.267.341.3479
Fax: 1.215.827.0080

Certificate of Eligibility (Form DS-2019)
The Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Program (J-1) Status, or Form DS-2019, as previously referred to, is the visa document which the CEVP issues upon admission as a J-1 visa student or formal acceptance as a visiting professor, research scholar or short term scholar. 

When an exchange visitor in J-1 visa status is admitted to the United States, she/he is issued a Form I-94 (Arrival/Departure Record), marked D/S for “Duration of Status.” Section 6 of the Form DS-2019 is also annotated D/S. J-1 exchange visitors may remain in the United States 30 days after the ending date on the Form DS-2019.

The D/S notation means that the United States Citizen and Immigration Service (USCIS) considers exchange visitors to be in status as long as their Form DS-2019 is valid and they engage only in activities permitted by the Form DS-2019. They may file for extension of stay if that is necessary for the accomplishment of their program objectives.

Dependents of J-1 Visa Holders
J-1 students and J-1 scholars who wish to bring dependents to the United States must obtain from their University program sponsor a new Form DS-2019 issued for this purpose. Adults and child dependents of exchange visitors are eligible for J-2 visas. The CEVP and hosting unit, school or department will assist exchange visitors in finding day care and/or public or private schools for dependent school-age children. Dependents are eligible to study full or part-time. All school and health records for dependent children should be available upon arrival in the United States.

J-1 visa holders’ dependents can stay with the J-1 exchange visitor as long as the exchange visitor maintains her/his J-1 status. Dependents can attend school while in the United States on the J-2 visa for dependents. Dependents are eligible to apply for employment authorization, and may work in the United States. However, dependents cannot get work authorization if the money earned is needed to support the J-1 visa visitor.