Most foreign scientists, teachers, researchers, artists, and performers coming to Ball State as visiting scholars will need to obtain a J-1 exchange visitor visa to enter the U.S. This is particularly important if the scholar is to receive any payment from Ball State.

The J-1 visa is issued by the U.S. Embassy or consulate in the scholar's home country ONLY when presented a form IAP-66 issued for that scholar by the Center for International Programs or by one of several other external sponsoring agencies (e.g. Fulbright sponsored scholars). Since issuance of the J-1 visa can take several days or weeks, departments requesting a form DS-2019 should plan ahead so the form can be issued and sent to the prospective scholar as early as possible.

Prospective scholars already in the U.S. also need a form IAP-66 in order to transfer from their present institution to Ball State. This transfer is done through the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service and must be done at least 2 months prior to the expected arrival of the scholar at Ball State.

Keep in mind that the J-1 visa is a temporary visa and can generally be extended only to a maximum of 3 years. If your department plans to employ the scholar for a longer period, you should consult with the Affirmative Action office before proceeding.

All information on the attached form must be completed before we can issue the form DS-2019. If any of the information is not yet available, your department should obtain it from the prospective scholar as quickly as possible.

In general, a scholar not accompanied by any dependents must have at least $1000 per month in available funds to meet basic living costs in Muncie. Accompanying dependents would require $500 per dependent (spouse/child). This funding may come in whole or in part from Ball State. Other funds may come from the scholar's home institution, government, or personal resources. In all cases, sources of funds should be fully documented by bank statements, government letters of authorization, employer letters, etc.

All visiting scholars are required to have adequate health insurance coverage for themselves and their dependents. Immediately after the scholar's arrival at Ball State, they must come to the Center for International Programs to verify insurance coverage.

Please call the Center for International Programs (5-5422) if you have any questions on these matters.