Congratulations on your selection to participate in the exchange program with Indiana University. There are several steps that you will need to complete to prepare for your arrival. It is imperative that you complete the forms as accurately as possible and provide all required supporting documentation.
International exchange scholars who are not citizens or residents of the U.S. will need to obtain a J-1 Scholar Visa. In order for our office to initiate the process for your J-1 visa, you must complete and submit the information form for visiting exchange scholars. Before starting the form, you should confirm that you have all of the required items:
Do not begin the form until you have determined the exact dates of your intended visit.
After the dates of your visit are set, we will initiate your J-1 scholar visa application and send you a link by email to complete the applicant information section. After that section is completed, we will issue the Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. The form allows you to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain a J visa to enter the United States. Indiana University will send the DS-2019 to you by express mail.
Save the cover letter that accompanies the DS-2019. It includes your IU identification number, required to create your IU email account and complete the check-in process upon arrival at IU.
If you receive housing from Indiana University, it is imperative that you list accurate arrival and departure dates for your visit. Failure to provide accurate dates could jeopardize your housing reservation. If the dates of your visit change after the form has been submitted, you should notify partner@iu.edu to see if housing will be available on those dates.
If a child, spouse, or other dependent will accompany you, you must provide each individual’s name, date of birth, and relationship to you on the form. You must also upload a scanned copy of the passport photo page for each dependent.
If Indiana University provides your housing under the terms of the exchange agreement with your home institution and a dependent will be joining you, the Office of International Partnerships will see if space is available in one of IU’s international scholar houses on the IU Bloomington campus. If space is not available, you must find your own housing at your own expense. Indiana University is obligated only to provide housing for the individual scholar.
A letter (printed on official letterhead) from a qualified faculty or staff member indicating your proficiency in English will be sufficient; the international office at your university may be able to provide such a letter. Alternatively, you may request that a qualified faculty or staff member at your university interview you in English and complete an English proficiency interview form.
If you choose to provide scores from an examination or copy of a language program certificate, such documentation must be less than one year old. Indiana University will not initiate your visa application until you have submitted proof of English proficiency.
Learn more about the language proficiency requirementIn your acceptance letter, IU Global will let you know if any financial documentation is required for your visa. If documentation is required, you must upload current financial documentation that lists the sources and amounts of financial support you have secured for your program, totaling at least $1,200 per month for the duration of your invitation. You may upload a letter from your home institution (on official letterhead) that states the financial support provided or a copy of a recent bank statement (preferably with the currency converted to U.S. dollars). No other documents will be accepted.
If you are bringing your spouse, unmarried children under the age of 21, or both, you must show access to $500 per month for the first dependent and $300 per month for each additional dependent.
You are required to get a statement (letter or email) from a current IU faculty member who agrees to serve as your host. You should save the letter or email as a PDF and upload it on the form. Emeritus faculty members cannot serve as hosts.
After you submit the form, you will receive instructions by email to upload and submit a scanned copy of your passport photo page. The scanned copy must be clear enough for staff to read all text on the page. Please check the expiration date of your passport to ensure it is valid for a minimum of six months after your intended date of departure from the United States.
Start the information form for non-U.S. citizens/residentsBe prepared to provide these items on the form:
After you submit the form, you will receive instructions by email to upload and submit a scanned copy of the photo page from your passport and/or green card.
Start the form for U.S. citizens and permanent residentsAll scholars must create an IU Exchange email account in order to access the university’s services and resources, including wireless internet, on-campus computers, and university library resources. You should set up the account before you arrive at Indiana University. Follow the instructions carefully. You will need your IU identificaton number. It is listed on the cover page that you received with your DS-2019 form.
Create your IU Exchange email accountIf you will live in guest housing through IU's Residential Programs and Services (RPS), your IU email account is required to complete the check-in process.
Review Indiana University’s policies on the ethical use of information technology and the university’s network. Violations are taken seriously and may result in the disabling of your access to all resources and services through the university network. Serious violations may also jeopardize your ability to remain at Indiana University and return in the future.
Complete the pre-arrival form after you have booked your flight. On the form, you will be asked to provide your IU email address, flight details, anticipated date of arrival on campus, anticipated date of departure from campus, and housing information. Your completion of the form allows our office to confirm that all necessary preparations for your stay have been completed.
Start the pre-arrival formWe have compiled a few resources about getting to the campus where you will be staying, housing options, and health insurance coverage.
After you have booked your flight and know your arrival time at the Indianapolis International Airport (IND), you should arrange ground transportation to either the Bloomington campus or the Indianapolis campus (IUPUI).
The city of Bloomington is approximately 50 miles from the airport. You should reserve a seat on a shuttle or book a car service prior to your arrival. The Office of International Services has information available about these options.
Ground transportation information is available on the airport website. Contact the IUPUI Office of International Affairs with any questions.
All visitors to the IU Bloomington and IUPUI campuses may ride the campus buses free of charge with a CrimsonCard, which you can get when you arrive on campus.
Visiting exchange scholars on the IU Bloomington campus will receive a bus pass to ride any City of Bloomington bus free of charge. Any accompanying dependents (spouses or children) must pay to ride a City of Bloomington bus.
Our office provides housing (when available) in one of IU’s international scholar houses to scholars from the following partner universities:
If space is not available in the international scholar houses, you may be assigned to other on-campus accommodations or provided a stipend to secure off-campus accommodations.
If you are visiting from a partner university not listed above, you should secure your own accommodations. IU's Residential Programs and Services offers a limited number of options for on-campus guest housing.
Learn about on-campus guest housingIU’s Office of International Services has helpful online resources about the health insurance coverage offered through Indiana University.
Learn more about health insurance
