J-1 DS-2019 Issuance by Sponsors Continues in Shutdown

During a U.S. government shutdown, the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program does not grind to a halt. The core operations that participants and their hosts rely on remain in place. Designated sponsoring organizations continue to issue and extend DS-2019 forms, the essential documents that enable exchange visitor participation. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) remains open for fee-funded casework, including employment authorization applications for eligible J-2 spouses. SEVIS (the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) stays online so records can be created, updated, and maintained.

At the same time, some external services—most notably visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates, and certain post-arrival steps like obtaining a Social Security number—may slow down or face temporary limits. That mix of continuity and delay means most program steps move forward, while some critical touchpoints outside sponsors’ control may take longer than usual.

Why this matters

This operational reality matters for students, scholars, interns, trainees, teachers, professors, camp counselors, au pairs, and physicians who rely on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program to enter the United States. It also matters for U.S. host institutions — from universities to labs and companies — that need clarity on whether planned start dates and onboarding timelines can hold.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the consistent message during a shutdown is:

• Sponsoring organizations keep doing the core administrative work of the program (preparing, issuing, and extending DS-2019 forms; advising participants; updating SEVIS records).
• USCIS continues to receive and process filings because it is primarily fee-funded, which helps J-2 spouses maintain work options through employment authorization.
• SEVIS remains active and fee-funded, allowing sponsors to manage program data and compliance.

The main variable is outside the sponsor’s office: appointments and processing at U.S. consular posts abroad may experience delays or limited services, and Social Security offices may slow or suspend certain functions.

The program’s administrative core stays in place even when some downstream steps take more time.

Operational status during a shutdown

The following elements either continue or may be delayed when appropriations lapse:

• Sponsoring organizations
  • Continue issuing and extending DS-2019 forms.
  • Can admit new participants, process category changes when permitted, and support extensions.
  • Operate under the Department of State’s authority; their ability to issue DS-2019s is not directly tied to yearly appropriations.
• SEVIS
  • Remains operational because it is funded by fees.
  • Records can be created, validated, updated for travel, and extended without interruption.
• USCIS
  • Continues processing fee-funded filings, including Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) for J-2 dependents.
  • USCIS’s fee-funded model allows many case types to proceed during shutdowns.
  • Reference: official Form I-765 page: https://www.uscis.gov/i-765
• Consular posts (U.S. embassies and consulates)
  • Generally remain open but may adjust visa appointment scheduling and processing.
  • Visa stamping (the final step to get a visa in a passport) may take longer.
• Social Security Administration
  • May suspend or delay some services, such as issuing Social Security numbers to newly arrived exchange visitors.
  • This can affect payroll setup and first-pay timelines.
• Internal sponsor processing vs. external steps
  • Internal processing (DS-2019 issuance, SEVIS updates) continues as normal.
  • External, public-facing steps (visa stamping, Social Security processing) may slow or pause temporarily.

These points mean the J-1 Program continues to function, but travel and onboarding timelines can stretch. The distinction matters: the program’s administrative core stays in place, even when some downstream steps take more time.

Practical planning and sponsor guidance

Sponsors and hosts can reduce disruption by taking proactive steps:

• Draft and issue DS-2019 forms as early as possible.
• Lock in SEVIS updates and keep records current.
• Communicate with participants about travel readiness and possible local consular delays.
• Encourage applicants to gather all required documents promptly so they’re ready when appointments open.
• Build buffer time into planned start dates to account for potential delays at consulates or Social Security offices.

For official background on exchange visitor categories, sponsor roles, and program structure, see the U.S. Department of State’s J-1 resource: https://j1visa.state.gov/

Practical effects for participants and sponsors (by phase)

A government shutdown introduces questions at three moments in the J-1 journey: before the visa appointment, during travel and entry, and after arrival. The core message in each phase is consistent: sponsors carry out core program tasks; SEVIS remains active; USCIS processing continues; consular and Social Security timelines may stretch.

1. Before the visa appointment
   • Sponsors can issue and extend DS-2019 forms so applicants can gather documents and complete required online steps.
   • If a consular post reduces appointment availability, applicants may face longer waits for interviews or visa printing.
   • Hosts should plan start dates with a buffer and applicants should be transparent about appointment dates.
2. During travel and entry
   • SEVIS remaining operational ensures records are current, assisting carriers and officers who verify documentation.
   • Late visa appointments may shift travel dates; sponsors can process extensions or start-date adjustments without waiting for appropriations to resume.
3. After arrival
   • The most common pinch point is obtaining a Social Security number.
   • Delays at the Social Security Administration can affect payroll enrollment and first-pay dates.
   • Sponsors cannot control Social Security timelines but can coordinate with hosts about temporary workarounds consistent with institutional policies.

Examples by participant type

• Visiting scholar: Receives DS-2019 and SEVIS updates as scheduled, but a reduced appointment calendar at a local embassy may delay visa issuance.
• Trainee at a host company: Sponsor issues DS-2019; slower consular processing pushes visa issuance a few weeks; sponsor extends start date accordingly.
• J-2 spouse: Can file Form I-765 for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) since USCIS continues processing fee-funded cases, helping the family’s financial plans.

Key takeaways for participants

• DS-2019 forms continue to be issued and extended by sponsoring organizations during a shutdown.
• SEVIS stays operational; records remain active and can be updated.
• USCIS fee-funded processing (including J-2 work authorization via Form I-765) continues.
• U.S. embassies and consulates remain open but may face delays or limited services affecting visa appointments and issuance.
• Social Security Administration services may be suspended or delayed, affecting payroll setup.

Keep moving forward on the steps you control; expect some external tasks to take longer and coordinate closely with your sponsor.

Recommendations for hosts, HR teams, and families

• Continue onboarding tasks that do not depend on a visa stamp or Social Security number (orientation, security access, scheduling, housing).
• Alert payroll teams that Social Security number timelines may lag and plan for temporary accommodations where permitted.
• Coordinate early with sponsors to identify individuals who still need consular appointments and issue DS-2019 forms or extensions promptly.
• For families, file Form I-765 early for J-2 spouses who need work permission.

Final perspective

The broader message for the J-1 community is one of continuity with caution. The program’s internal processes — carried out by sponsoring organizations and supported by SEVIS — continue during a shutdown. That includes DS-2019 issuance and extension, SEVIS maintenance, and USCIS processing tied to fees.

The caution centers on consular visa appointments and Social Security services, which may be slower or more limited. By understanding which parts of the process remain active and which may slow, sponsors, participants, and hosts can:

• Plan with clarity and build in buffers,
• Maintain momentum on controllable tasks,
• And communicate early to reduce stress and last-minute surprises.

Steady communication remains the best tool: share updates early about DS-2019 issuance, SEVIS status, appointment timing, and travel plans to manage shutdown periods with less disruption.