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Step 1. (UM Host Department): Submit a Visa Screening Form for J-1 Visa Application

If you plan to collaborate with an individual outside the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú, you must ensure compliance with federal laws and regulations regarding export control across the U.S. border. This means all J-1 scholars for whom you wish to invite to UM in order to facilitate any type of collaboration must first be screened against federal restricted parties’ lists before such an invitation can be extended. 

Please complete and submit a Visa Screening Form for J-1 Visa Application before taking any other steps. This form is processed by UM's Export Control Officer Claudia Eccles. If you have questions about the form itself, Claudia can be reached at claudia.eccles@mso.umt.edu or 406-243-4157.   

You can find more detailed information about export control policies at UM on the Restricted Party Screening webpage. 

Once your Visa Screening Form is processed: Next Steps

Claudia will send you an email with the result of your request typically within five business days from submission. If approved, she will attach a certificate of approval in PDF format to the email notifying you of the decision. 

This certificate must be uploaded to the J-1 Exchange Visitor Staff Appointment Form which is described in detail in Step 3 before your request can be processed by ISS. 

Step 2. (UM Host Department): Compose a Letter of Invitation

Before a UM department can invite an individual to the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú (UM) as a visiting J-1 scholar, the appropriate host department contact person (this must be a UM faculty member) will first need to compose an official Letter of Invitation. This letter must be signed on official UM letterhead and clearly state the following information:

• Full name of visiting scholar
• Name of host department
• Start and end dates of time in U.S.
• Amount of salary or stipend being offered (if applicable)
• UM resources that will be made available (i.e. office space, library, lab, etc.)
• Description of proposed activity at the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú

Step 3. (UM Host Department and Prospective Scholar): Complete Online Forms for the DS-2019

The Form DS-2019 or "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status" is the basic document used in the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program. This form permits a prospective Exchange Visitor to seek an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in order to obtain a J-1 visa to enter the United States. Each year, a number of visiting scholars from abroad spend time in residence at the ÁÔÆæÖØ¿Ú through the J-1 program. To Request a DS-2019, please work with your host department to complete the following forms:

• To be completed by UM host department contact: 
• To be completed by the prospective J-1 Scholar: 
• If the prospective J-1 Scholar is already in the U.S., please ask them to complete the 

Step 4. (UM Host Department or Prospective Scholar): Pay the GEO Scholar Fee

To support annual certification fees required by the U.S. Department of State, the scholar or host department is responsible for paying an application fee of $150. This is referred to as the GEO Scholar Fee. 

Scholars can pay the fee from abroad by visiting

Host departments can pay the fee by contacting Bodhi Murphy, Director of International Students and Scholars at bodhi.murphy@mso.umt.edu with an index code to JV, Activity Code if applicable, and the first and last name of their departmental financial director/manager who is authorized to approve the JV. 

Step 5. (Prospective Scholar): Pay the I-901 Fee & Schedule J-1 Visa Interview

The SEVIS I-901 fee of US $220 is required for all J-1 visa applicants. Without this fee, you will not be eligible to apply for a visa. You do not need to pay this fee for J-2 dependents.

After you have paid the I-901 fee, you will need to apply for the J-1 visa. To apply for a J-1 visa you should visit the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country. Most countries require that you complete the DS-160 to schedule the interview and an additional fee payment of $185. For the interview, you may find the   useful.