Effective April 27, 2023, updated guidance from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) allows designated sponsors for J-1 programs to digitally sign and electronically distribute the Form DS-2019.

Following this updated policy guidance, OIE will now print, physically sign the paper Form DS-2019 in ink, scan and save the Form DS-2019 as a portal document format (PDF) and electronically transmit the Form DS-2019 via email to the scholar's email account on file when issuing an initial Form DS-2019 or updating a Form DS-2019 for the purpose of a travel signature or extension. NOTE: J-1 students will receive DS-2019s via their CMU Andrew email account.

Upon receiving the electronic Form DS-2019, students and scholars will need to print and sign their Form DS-2019 and present the paper Form DS-2019 at U.S. embassies or consulates when they apply for a J-1 or J-2 nonimmigrant visa, when they enter the United States in J-1 status and when applying for a Social Security Number (SSN) or driver's license.

If any issues are encountered with the electronic Form DS-2019 issued from OIE, please contact OIE at OIE@andrew.cmu.edu for additional guidance.